Note 4 — XIII.
Reading edition
The text in this passage is regarded as difficult by many editors, and is marked in the Globe Edition as corrupt. I do not see the difficulty of taking it as it stands, if regard be had to the general situation, in which (as Steevens has pointed out) Kent is reading the letter in disjointed snatches by the dim moonlight. Commentators seem to me to have increased the obscurity by taking 'enormous' in its rare sense of 'irregular,' 'out of order,' and making it refer to the state of England. Surely it is used in its ordinary meaning, and applies to France; the clause in which it occurs being part of the actual words of Cordelia's letter, who naturally uses 'this' of the country from which she writes. Inverted commas would make the connection clear.
Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, That by thy comfortable beams I may Peruse this letter!—'Nothing almost sees miracles'— 'But misery'—I know 'tis from Cordelia, Who hath 'most fortunately been inform'd' Of my 'obscured course, and shall find time From this enormous state'—'seeking to give Losses their remedies,' &c.
I.e. Cordelia promises she will find leisure from the oppressive cares of her new kingdom to remedy the evils of England. Kent gives up the attempt to read; but enough has been brought out for the dramatist's purpose at that particular stage, viz. to hint that Kent was in correspondence with Cordelia, and looked to her as the deliverer of England.