Page:William Hazlitt - Characters of Shakespear's Plays (1817).djvu/203

Rh Upon a wheel of fire, that mine own tears Do scald like molten lead. Cordelia. Sir, do you know me? Lear. You are a spirit I know: when did you die? Cordelia. Still, still, far wide! Physician. He's scarce awake; let him alone awhile. Lear. Where have I been? Where am I?Fair daylight? I am mightily abus'd.I should even die with pity, To see another thus.I know not what to say. I will not swear these are my hands:let's see; I feel this pin prick. 'Would I were assur'd Of my condition. Cordelia. O, look upon me, sir, And hold your hands in benediction o'er me: No, sir, you must not kneel. Lear. Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore and upward; Not an hour more, nor less: and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I shou'd know you, and know this man; Yet I am doubtful: for I am mainly ignorant What place this is; and all the skill I have Remembers not these garments; nor I know not Where I did lodge last night: do not laugh at me; For, as I am a man, I think this lady To be my child Cordelia. Cordelia. And so I am, I am!"

Almost equal to this in awful beauty is their consolation of each other when, after the triumph of their enemies, they are led to prison.