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,
To amplify too much, would make much more,
And top extremity.

Whilst I was big in clamor, came there a man,
Who having seen me in my worst estate,
Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding
Who 'twas that so endured, with his strong arms
He fasten'd on my neck, and bellow'd out
As he 'd burst heaven; threw me 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
Began to crack: twice then the trumpet sounded,
And there I left him tranced.

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
Improper for a slave.

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.