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 tremble, Touches us not with pity. us [Exit Gen. Enter KENT. Edg. Here comes Kent, sir. Alb. O! it is he. 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.- 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 Destroyed. |