King Lear, Act 4, Scene 3

Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back, know you no reason?

Do you know any reason why the King of France has gone back so suddenly?

Something he left imperfect in the state, which since his coming forth is thought of, which imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger that his personal return was most required and necessary.

There was some business in the country he left unfinished, which has been thought about since he set out, and which threatens the kingdom with so much fear and danger that his own return was absolutely required and necessary.

Who hath he left behind him general?

Whom has he left behind as commander?

The Mareschal of France, Monsieur La Far.

The Marshal of France, Monsieur La Far.

Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?

Did your letters move the queen to show any sign of grief?

Ay, sir; she took them, read them in my presence; And now and then an ample tear trill’d down Her delicate cheek. It seem’d she was a queen Over her passion; who, most rebel-like, Sought to be king o’er her.

Yes, sir. She took them and read them in front of me, and every so often a full tear ran down her delicate cheek. It seemed she was a queen ruling over her feelings, which, like rebels, were trying to be king over her.

O, then it mov’d her.

Oh, so it did move her.

Not to a rage: patience and sorrow strove Who should express her goodliest. You have seen Sunshine and rain at once: her smiles and tears Were like a better day. Those happy smilets That play’d on her ripe lip seem’d not to know What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence As pearls from diamonds dropp’d. In brief, Sorrow would be a rarity most belov’d, If all could so become it.

Not to a passion. Patience and sorrow competed over which of them could show her at her most beautiful. You have seen sunshine and rain at the same time: her smiles and tears were like a finer sort of day. Those happy little smiles that played on her full lips seemed not to know what visitors were in her eyes, which left them like pearls dropping from diamonds. In short, sorrow would be a most beloved rarity if it suited everyone the way it suited her.

Made she no verbal question?

Did she ask anything out loud?

Faith, once or twice she heav’d the name of ‘father’ Pantingly forth, as if it press’d her heart; Cried ‘Sisters, sisters! Shame of ladies! sisters! Kent! father! sisters! What, i’ the storm? i’ the night? Let pity not be believ’d!’ There she shook The holy water from her heavenly eyes, And clamour master’d her: then away she started To deal with grief alone.

Truly, once or twice she forced out the name "father" in gasps, as if it were crushing her heart. She cried, "Sisters, sisters! Disgrace to women! Sisters! Kent! Father! Sisters! What, out in the storm? In the night? Let no one believe in pity again!" Then she shook the holy water from her heavenly eyes, and her weeping overcame her, and she hurried away to deal with her grief alone.

It is the stars, The stars above us govern our conditions; Else one self mate and make could not beget Such different issues. You spoke not with her since?

It is the stars — the stars above us rule what we are; otherwise one and the same husband and wife could not produce such different children. You have not spoken with her since?

No.

No.

Was this before the King return’d?

Was this before the King went back?

No, since.

No, after.

Well, sir, the poor distressed Lear’s i’ the town; Who sometime, in his better tune, remembers What we are come about, and by no means Will yield to see his daughter.

Well, sir, poor suffering Lear is in the town. Sometimes, in his clearer moments, he remembers what we have come here for, and he will not on any account agree to see his daughter.

Why, good sir?

Why, good sir?

A sovereign shame so elbows him. His own unkindness, That stripp’d her from his benediction, turn’d her To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights To his dog-hearted daughters, these things sting His mind so venomously that burning shame Detains him from Cordelia.

An overpowering shame keeps pushing him away. His own harshness, which cut her off from his blessing and turned her over to the risks of a foreign country, and which gave her precious rights to his dog-hearted daughters — these things sting his mind so poisonously that burning shame keeps him away from Cordelia.

Alack, poor gentleman!

Alas, poor gentleman!

Of Albany’s and Cornwall’s powers you heard not?

Have you heard nothing of Albany's and Cornwall's armies?

’Tis so; they are afoot.

It is true; they are on the march.

Well, sir, I’ll bring you to our master Lear And leave you to attend him. Some dear cause Will in concealment wrap me up awhile; When I am known aright, you shall not grieve Lending me this acquaintance. I pray you, go along with me.

Well, sir, I will take you to our master Lear and leave you to look after him. An important reason will keep me hidden for a while. When I am known for who I really am, you will not be sorry that you gave me your acquaintance. Please, come along with me.