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! I might have sav'd her; now she's gone for ever! Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little.-Ha! [ What is't thou say'st? Her voice was ever soft, That was a hanging thee! Officer. (L.) [Advancing a little.] lords, he did. Lear. Did I not, fellow? true, my I have seen the day, with my good biting faulchion, One of them we behold. Lear. This is a dull sight.-Are you not Kent? Your servant Kent.-Where is your servant Caius ? He'll strike, and quickly too :-He's dead and rotten. 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 CORDELIA on the ground, and kneeling on both knees.] Q, thou wilt come no more! Never, never, never, never! Pray you, undo this button. Placing his hand to his throat, as if choaking. 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. |