Led him, begg'd for him, sav'd him from despair; Edm. [Raised by Officers.] I pant for life :-Some good I mean to do, Despite of my own nature. Quickly send Be brief in it-to the castle; for my writ Edg. Who has the office? Send thy token of reprieve. Alb. Haste thee, for thy life! [Exit EDGAR, R. The gods defend her!-Bear him hence awhile. [Flourish.-EDMUND is led off L.-ALBANY and others exeunt R. SCENE V.-A Prison. Enter LEAR through opening in R. Flat, with CORDELIA, dead, in his arms.— -Officer enters L. U. E. as on guard; he remains at back, L. Lear. [Advancing to c.] Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, ye are men of stones! Had I your tongues and eyes, I'd use them so That heaven's vault should crack.-O, she is gone for ever! [LEAR kneels on right knee, and places CORDELIA across his left, her feet towards R. I know when one is dead, and when one lives; Enter EDGAR, ALBANY, KENT, Officer, and Soldiers, Edg. Or image of that horror? Alb. Fall, and cease! [Crosses behind Lear. Lear. This feather stirs ; she lives!-If it be so, Kent. (R. c.) [Kneeling.] O, my good master! Edg. (L. c.) "Tis noble Kent, your friend. Lear. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors, all ! What is't thou say'st? Her voice was ever soft, That was a hanging thee! Officer. (L) [Advancing a little.] "Tis true, my lords, he did. Lear. Did I not, fellow? I have seen the day, with my good biting faulchion, And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you? One of them we behold. 1 Lear. This is a dull sight.-Are you not Kent? Your servant Kent.-Where is your servant Caius? Kent. That, from your first of difference and decay, Have follow'd your sad steps. Lear. You are welcome hither. Kent. Nor no man else; all's cheerless, dark, and deadly. Your eldest daughters have foredoom'd themselves, Lear. Ay, so I think. Kent. He knows not what he says; and vain it is That we present us to him. O see! see! Lear. And my poor fool is hang'd! No, no, no life : Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, And thou no breath at all? [Laying CORDELTA on the ground, and kneeling on both knees.] O, thou wilt come no more! Never, never, never, never! Pray you, undo this button. [Placing his hand to his throat, as if choaking.] Thank you, sir. Do you see this? Look on her-look-her lips Look there-look there! [Kisses her. [Gives a convulsive gasp, and falls back. He is supported on the R. by KENT, and on the L. by EDGAR.-Curtain falls to slow music. THE END F POSITION OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN. DOLBY Printer, 17, Catherine-street, Strand, London. |