That follow'd me so near,-O our lives' sweetness!
That we the pain of death would hourly die
Rather than die at once!-taught me to shift
Into a madman's rags, to assume a semblance
That very dogs disdained: and in this habit
Met I my father with his bleeding rings,
Their precious stones new lost; became his guide,
Led him, begged for him, saved him from despair;
Never-O fault !-revealed myself unto him,
Until some half-hour past, when I was armed ;
Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,
I asked his blessing, and from first to last
Told him our pilgrimage: but his flawed heart,-
Alack, too weak the conflict to support!-

'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,
Burst smilingly.

EDM.

190

195

200

This speech of yours hath moved me, And shall perchance do good: but speak you on ;

You look as you had something more to say.

ALB. If there be more, more woful, hold it in; For I am almost ready to dissolve,

205

Hearing of this.

EDG.

This would have seem'd a period

To such as love not sorrow; but another,

To amplify too-much, would make much more,

And top extremity.

Whilst I was big in clamour, came there in a man,
Who, having seen me in my worse estate,
Shunned my abhorred society; but then, finding
Who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms
He fastened on my neck, and bellowed out
As he'd burst heaven; threw him on my father;
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
That ever ear received: which in recounting
His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life

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215

Began to crack: twice then the trumpet sounded,
And there I left him tranced.

ALB.

But who was this?

EDG. Kent, sir, the banished Kent; who in disguise Followed his enemy king, and did him service

Improper for a slave.

Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody knife.

220

EDG.

ALB.

GENT. Help! help! O help!

What kind of help?

Speak, man

'Tis hot, it smokes ; 225

EDG. What means that bloody knife?
GENT.

It came even from the heart of-O, she's dead!

ALB. Who dead? speak, man.

GENT. Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister By her is poisoned; she hath confess'd it.

EDM. I was contracted to them both; all three Now marry in an instant.

EDG.

Here comes Kent.

ALB. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead. This judgment of the heavens that makes us tremble, Touches us not with pity.

[Exit Gentleman.

230

Enter KENT.

O, is this he?

The time will not allow the compliment

Which very manners urges.

KENT.

I am come

To bid my king and master aye good-night;

Is he not here?

ALB.

Great thing of us forgot!

Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's Cordelia?
See'st thou this object, Kent?

[The bodies of GONERIL and REGAN are brought in.

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240

KENT. Alack, why thus ?

EDM.

Yet Edmund was beloved :

The one the other poisoned for my sake,

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.

ALB.

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Thy token of reprieve.

Run, run, O, run!

EDG. To who, my lord?

Who has the office? send

250

EDM. Well thought on; take my sword,

Haste thee, for thy life. [Exit EDGAR.

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Give it the captain.

ALB.

EDм. 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 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

260

That heaven's vault should crack. She's gone for ever!
I know when one is dead and when one lives;

LEAR. This feather stirs; she lives. If it be so,
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt.

KENT. [Kneeling.] O my good master!

LEAR. Prithee, away.

EDG.

'Tis noble Kent, your friend.

LEAR. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors all!
I might have saved her; now she's gone for ever!
Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little. Ha!

What is't thou say'st? Her voice was ever soft,
Gentle and low, an excellent thing in woman.

I killed the slave that was a-hanging thee.
OFF. 'Tis true, my lords, he did.

LEAR.

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275

Did I not, fellow?

280

I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion
I would have made them skip: I am old now,
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you?
Mine eyes are not o' the best: I'll tell you straight.
KENT. If fortune brag of two she loved and hated,
One of them we behold.

LEAR. This is a dull sight; are you not Kent?
KENT.

Your servant Kent.

The same; 285

Where is your servant Caius ?

LEAR. He's a good fellow, I can tell you

that;

He'll strike, and quickly too: he's dead and rotten.
KENT. No, my good lord; I am the very man—
LEAR. I'll see that straight.

KENT. That, from your first of difference and decay,
Have followed your sad steps ;-

You are welcome hither.

LEAR.
KENT. Nor no man else; all's cheerless, dark, and deadly.
Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves

And desperately are dead.

290

LEAR.

Ay, so I think.

295