Gent.
Help, help!

Edg.
What kind of help?

Alb.
Speak, man.

Edg.
What means this bloody knife?

Gent.
'Tis hot, it smoaks; it came even from the heart
Of—O! she's dead.—

Alb.
Who's dead? speak, man.

Gent.
Your lady, Sir, your lady; and her sister
By her is poison'd; she confesses it.

Edm.
I was contracted to them both; all three
Now marry in an instant.

Edg.
Here comes Kent. Enter Kent.

Alb.
Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead. [Gonerill and Regan's Bodies brought out.
This Judgment of the heav'ns, that makes us tremble,
Touches us not with pity.—O! is this He?
The time will not allow the compliment,
Which very manners urge.

Kent.
I am come
To bid my King and Master aye good night;
Is he not here?

Alb.
Great thing of us forgot!
Speak, Edmund, where's the King? and where's Cordelia?
See'st thou this Object, Kent?

Kent.
Alack, why thus?

Edm.
Yet Edmund was belov'd:
The one the other poison'd for my sake,
And after slew herself.

Alb.
Even so; cover their faces.

Edm.
I pant for life; some Good I mean to do,
Despight of mine own nature. Quickly send,
(Be brief) into the Castle; for my Writ
Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia:
Nay, send in time.

Alb.
Run, run, O run—

Edg.
To whom, my lord? who has the office? Send
Thy token of reprieve.

Edm.
Well thought on, take my sword,
Give it the Captain—

Edg.
Haste thee for thy life. [Exit Messenger.

Edm.
He hath Commission from thy wife and me
To hang Cordelia in the prison, and
To lay the blame upon her own despair.

Alb.
The Gods defend her! bear him hence a while. [Edmund is borne off.

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