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Pau. I'm forry, Sir, I have thus far ftirr'd you; but

I could afflict you further.

Leo. Do Paulina;

For this affliction has a tafte as sweet

As any cordial comfort.

Still methinks

There is an air comes from her.

What fine chizzel

Could ever yet cut breath? let no man mock me,

For I will kifs her.

Pau. Good my Lord, forbear;

The ruddiness upon her lip is wet;

You'll mar it, if you kiss it; stain your own
With oily painting; fhall I draw the curtain ?
Leo. No, not these twenty years.

Per. So long could I
Stand by, a looker on.

Pau. Either forbear,

Quit presently the chappel, or refolve you
For more amazement; if you can behold it,
I'll make the ftatue move indeed, defcend,

And take you by the hand; but then you'll think,
Which I proteft against, I am affifted

By wicked powers.

Leo. What you can make her do,

I am content to look on; what to speak,
I am content to hear; for 'tis as easie

To make her speak, as move.

Pau. It is requir'd

You do awake your faith; then all ftand ftill:
Or thofe that think it is unlawful business

I am about, let them depart.

Leo. Proceed;

No foot fhall ftir.

Pau. Mufick; awake her; ftrike;

[Mufick

'Tis time, defcend; be ftone no more; approach,
Strike all that look on you with marvel. Come,
I'll fill your grave up: ftir, nay, come away;
Bequeath to death your numbness; for from him
Dear life redeems you; you perceive the ftirs,

Start not, her actions shall be holy, as

[Her, comes down.

Your

Your hear my fpell is lawful: do not shun her,
Until you fee her die again, for then

You kill her double. Nay, prefent your hand;
When he was young, you woo'd her; now in age,
Is the become the fuitor.

Lee. Oh, fhe's warm;

If this be magick, let it be an art

Lawful as eating.

Pol. She embraces him.

Cam. She hangs about his neck;

If the pertain to life, let her speak too.

[Embracing ber.

Pel. Ay, and make manifeft where she has liv'd, Or how ftol'n from the dead.

Pau. That fhe is living,

Were it but told you, fhould be hooted at
Like an old tale; but it appears fhe lives,
Tho' yet she speak not. Mark a little while.
Pleafe you to interpofe, fair Madam, kneel,

And pray your mother's bleffing; turn, good Lady,
Our Perdita is found. [Prefenting Perdita, who kneels to Her.
Her. You Gods, look down,

And from your facred vials pour your graces

Upon my daughter's head! tell me, mine own,

Where haft thou been preferv'd? where liv'd? how found Thy father's Court? for thou shalt hear that 1,

Knowing by Paulina that the Oracle

Gave hope thou waft in being, have preferv'd
Myfelf, to fee the iffue.

Pau. There's time enough for that;
Left they defire, upon this pufh, to trouble
Your joys with like relation. Go together,
You precious winners all, your exultation
Partake to every one; I, an old turtle,
Will wing me to fome wither'd bough, and there
My mate, that's never to be found again,
Lament 'till I am loft.

Leo. O peace, Paulina ::

Thou should't a husband take by my confent,
As I by thine a wife. This is a match,

And made between's by vows.

VOL. IV.

Thou haft found mine,

1

But

But how, is to be queftion'd; for I faw her,
As I thought, dead; and have, in vain, faid many
A prayer upon her grave. I'll not feek far
(For him, I partly know his mind) to find thee
An honourable hufband. Come, Camillo,

And take her by the hand; whofe worth and honefty
Is richly noted; and here juftified

By us, a pair of Kings. Let's from this place.
What? look upon my brother: both your pardons, [To Her.
That e'er I put between your holy looks

My ill fufpicion: this your fon-in-law,

And fon unto the King, from heav'n's directing,
Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina,
Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely
Each one demand, and answer to his part
Perform'd in this wide gap of time, fince first
We were diffever'd. Haftily lead away. [Exeunt omnes.

THE

LIFE and DEATH

OF

KING LEAR

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Knights attending on the King, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers and Attendants.

SCENE lyes in Britain.

KING

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