Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in; For I am almost ready to dissolve, Hearing of this. Edg. This would have seem'd a period To such as love not sorrow; but another, Whilst I was big in clamor, came there a man, Alb. But who was this? Edg. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in dis guise Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service Enter GENTLEMAN hastily, with a bloody knife. Gen. Help! help! O, help! It came even from the heart of Alb. Who, man? speak. Gen. Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister By her is poison'd; she hath confess'd it. Edm. I was contracted to them both; all three Now marry in an instant. Alb. Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead! This judgment of the Heavens, that makes us The time will not allow the compliment, Which very manners urges. Kent. I am come To bid my king and master aye1 good night: Is he not here? Alb. Great thing of us forgot! Speak, Edmund, where's the king, and where 's Cordelia ? Seest thou this object, Kent? [the bodies of Goneril and Regan are brought in. Kent. Alack, why thus ? Edm. Yet Edmund was beloved: The one the other poison'd for my sake, 1 For ever. And after slew herself. Alb. Even so.-Cover their faces. Edm. I pant for life: some good I mean to do, Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send,— Be brief in it,-to the castle; for my writ Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia.— Nay, send in time. Edg. To who, my lord?-Who has the office? send Thy token of reprieve. Edm. Well thought on: take my sword; Give it the captain. Alb. Haste thee, for thy life. [Exit Edgar. Edm. He hath commission from thy wife and me To hang Cordelia in the prison, and To lay the blame upon her own despair, That she fordid 1 herself. Alb. The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile. [Edmund is borne off. Enter LEAR, with CORDELIA dead in his arms; Edgar, OFFICER, and others. Lear. Howl, howl, howl, howl!—O, you are men of stones: Had I your tongues and eyes, I'd use them so 1 Destroyed. |