All the World is this Great Stage (King Lear, 4.6)

Perhaps the most beautiful moment in all of Shakespeare's works is when Lear recognizes Gloucester.  This most likely causes Gloucester to weep profusely; at this point, nothing matters more to him than being known or recognized by the man for whose life he had risked his own and had his eyes gouged-out, as a consequence. 

Lear, who did not want water drops staining his man's cheeks in 2.4, is touched by Gloucester's tears and once again resumes to role of Father of His Country that he began to take on with the Fool in 3.2.  Basically, what Lear says to Gloucester is that what he is going through right now isn't anything compared to the pain of being born (almost as if he is transferring birth pains from the mother to the child, which is significant, since this is a play that wants a mother):

KING LEAR

If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes.
I know thee well enough; thy name is Gloucester:
Thou must be patient; we came crying hither:
Thou know'st, the first time that we smell the air,
We wawl and cry. I will preach to thee: mark.

GLOUCESTER

Alack, alack the day!

KING LEAR

          When we are born, we cry that we are come
          To this great stage of fools: this a good block;
          It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe
          A troop of horse with felt: I'll put 't in proof;
          And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law,
          Then, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!

To be continued....