Classic Poem

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;
If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,
Why, then she lives . . .
This feather stirs; she lives! If it be so,
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt.
kent:[Kneeling]
O my good master!
lear:Prithee, away.
edgar:'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, an excellent thing in woman.
I kill'd the slave that was a-hanging thee.
officer:'Tis true, my lords, he did.
lear:Did I not, fellow?
I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion
I would have made them skip: I am old now,
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you?
Mine eyes are not o' th' best: I'll tell you straight . . .
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? Thou'lt come no more,
Never, never, never, never, never!
Pray you, undo this button: thank you, Sir.
Do you see this? Look on her, look, her lips,
Look there, look there!
[Dies]
edgar:He faints! My lord, my lord!
kent:Break, heart; I prithee, break.
edgar:Look up, my Lord.
kent:Vex not his ghost: O! let him pass; he hates him
That would upon the rack of this tough world
Stretch him out longer.