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? [Kneels on his right knee, and places Cordelia across his left.
I know when one is dead, and when one lives;
She's dead as earth.—Lend me a looking-glass;
If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,
Why then she lives. Enter Edgar, Albany, Kent, Officer, and Soldiers, R.

Kent.
Is this the promis'd end?

Edg.
Or image of that horror? [Crosses behind Lear.

Alb.
Fall, and cease!

Lear.
This feather stirs; she lives!—If it be so,
It is a chance that does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt.

Kent. (R. C.) [Kneeling]
O, my good master!

Lear.
Pr'ythee away!

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,
Gentle, and low? but I did kill the slave
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,
I would have made them skip; I am old now.
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you?
My eyes are none o'the best;—I'll tell you straight.

Kent. (R. C.)
If fortune brag of two she lov'd and hated,
One of them we behold.

Lear.
This is a dull sight.—Are you not Kent?

Kent.
The same;
Your servant Kent.—Where is your servant Caius?

Lear.
He's a good fellow; I can tell you that;
He'll strike, and quickly too:—He's dead and rotten.

Kent.
No, my good lord; I am the very man.

Lear.
I'll see that straight.

Kent.
That, from you 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,
And desperately are dead.

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.] O, thou wilt come no more!
Never, never, never, never!
Pray you, undo this button. [Placing his hand to his throat.]
Thank you, sir.
Do you see this? Look on her—look—her lips— [Kisses her.
Look there!—look there! [Gives a convulsive grasp, and falls back. He is supported by Kent, R. and Edgar, L.—The Curtain falls to slow music. DISPOSITION OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN.
Soldiers. Soldiers. Soldiers.
R. Officer. Kent. King Lear. Edgar. Officer. L.
Body of Cordelia THE END.

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