And Claudius has felt so frail, so full of fear of loss, as if his skin might split and burst from it, like over-ripe fruit left to sit in the sun -- he could weep from this, he thinks. It would be the second time this Dark he's wept uncontrollably on a man he loves. He laughs, to keep the tears from coming. "Didst thou know how much I longed to hear thee say that? I did not, until thou hadst oped thy lips." Softer, he says, "I will cherish those words. As I cherish loving thee."