Be brief in it, to the castle; for my writ
Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia. 248
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, 252
Give it the captain.
Alb. Haste thee, for thy life.
Edm. He hath commission from my wife and me
To hang Cordelia in the prison, and
To lay the blame upon her own despair, 256
That she fordid herself.
Alb. The gods defend her! Bear him hence awhile.
Enter Lear, with Cordelia in his arms; [Edgar, Captain, and Others.]
Lear. Howl, 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. 261
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.
Kent. Is this the promis'd end? 265
Edg. Or image of that horror?
Alb. Fall and cease?
Lear. This feather stirs; she lives! if it be so,
257 fordid: slew
265 end: judgment day
