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.

He left some business in the country unfinished, which has been thought about since he came here, 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 general?

The Mareschal of France, Monsieur La Far.

The Mareschal of France, Monsieur La Far.

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

Did your letters cut the queen deeply enough to make her show any 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 now and then a large 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, then it moved 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 rage. Patience and sorrow competed over which 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 version of that day. Those happy little smiles that played on her ripe lips seemed not to know what visitors were in her eyes, which left there like pearls dropping from diamonds. In short, sorrow would be a treasure most dearly loved, if it suited everyone so well.

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.

Honestly, once or twice she pushed the word "father" out with a gasp, as if it were crushing her heart. She cried, "Sisters, sisters! Shame of women! Sisters! Kent! Father! Sisters! What, out in the storm? In the night? Let no one believe there is such a thing as pity!" Then she shook the holy water from her heavenly eyes, and her outcry overcame her, and she rushed 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 that rule what we are like. 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, afterwards.

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 troubled Lear is here in the town. Sometimes, when he is in a better state of mind, he remembers what we have come for, and he absolutely will not 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 shoving him away. His own unkindness, which stripped her of his blessing and turned her over to the accidents of a foreign country, and gave her precious rights to his dog-hearted daughters — these things sting his mind so poisonously that burning shame keeps him from Cordelia.

Alack, poor gentleman!

Oh, the poor gentleman!

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

You have not heard about Albany's and Cornwall's armies?

’Tis so; they are afoot.

Yes, I have; 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'll 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 you gave me your acquaintance. Please, come along with me.