Page 1930 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves, [290]
And desperately are dead.

LEAR
Ay, so I think.

ALBANY
He knows not what he says, and vain is it
That we present us to him.

EDGAR
Very bootless.

Enter an Officer.

OFFICER
Edmund is dead, my Lord.

ALBANY
That’s but a trifle here.
You lords and noble friends, know our intent; [295]

What comfort to this great decay may come
Shall be appli’d: for us, we will resign,
During the life of this old Majesty,
To him our absolute power:
(To Edgar and Kent.)

you, to your rights,
With boot and such addition as your honours [300]
Have more than merited. All friends shall taste

The wages of their virtue, and all foes
The cup of their deservings. 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, [305]
And thou no breath at all? Thou’lt come no more,

Never, never, never, never, never!
Pray you, undo this button: thank you, Sir.