Page 1924 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Led him, begg’d for him, sav’d him from despair; [190]
Never − O fault! − reveal’d myself unto him,
Until some half-hour past, when I was arm’d;
Not sure, though hoping, of this good success,

I ask’d his blessing, and from first to last
Told him my pilgrimage: but his flaw’d heart, [195]
Alack, too weak the conflict to support!
’Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief,

Burst smilingly.

EDMUND
This speech of yours hath mov’d me,
And shall perchance do good; but speak you on;
You look as you had something more to say. [200]

ALBANY
If there be more, more woeful, hold it in;

For I am almost ready to dissolve,
Hearing of this.

EDGAR
This would have seem’d a period
To such as love not sorrow; but another,

To amplify too much, would make much more, [205]
And top extremity.
Whilst I was big in clamour came there in a man,
Who, having seen me in my worst estate,
Shunn’d my abhorr’d society; but then, finding

Who ’twas that so endur’d, with his strong arms [210]
He fasten’d on my neck, and bellow’d out
As he’d burst heaven; threw him on my father;

Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
That ever ear receiv’d; which in recounting
His grief grew puissant, and the strings of life [215]
Began to crack: twice then the trumpets sounded,
And there I left him tranc’d.

ALBANY