Page 1927 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Be brief in it, to th’castle; for my writ
Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia. [245]
Nay, send in time.

ALBANY
Run, run! O, run!

EDGAR
To who, my Lord? Who has the office? send

Thy token of reprieve.

EDMUND
Well thought on; take my sword,
Give it the captain.

EDGAR
Haste thee, for thy life. [250]
(Exit Officer.)

EDMUND

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.

ALBANY
The Gods defend her!

Bear him hence awhile. (Edmund is borne off.) [255]

Re-enter Lear, with Cordelia dead in his arms; Officer.

LEAR
Howl, howl, howl! O! you are men of stones:
Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so
That heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone for ever.

I know when one is dead, and when one lives;
She’s dead as earth. Lend me a looking-glass; [260]