Shakespeare's Stories for Young Readers Read Online Free PDF

the whole story; and when Goneril found that her husband knew her for the wicked woman she was, she killed herself, having a little time before given a deadly poison to her sister, Regan, out of a spirit of jealousy.
    But they had arranged that Cordelia should be hanged in prison, and though the Duke of Albany sent messengers at once, it was too late. The old King came staggering into the tent of the Duke of Albany, carrying the body of his dear daughter Cordelia in his arms.
    â€œOh, she is gone for ever,” he said. “I know when one is dead, and when one lives. She’s dead as earth.”
    They crowded round in horror.
    â€œOh, if she lives,” said the King, “it is a chance that does redeem all sorrows that ever I have left.”
    The Earl of Kent spoke a word to him, but Lear was too mad to listen.
    â€œA plague upon you murderous traitors all! I might have saved her. Now she is gone for ever. Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little. Her voice was ever low, gentle, and soft—an excellent thing in woman. I killed the slave that was hanging thee.”
    â€œâ€™Tis true, my lords, he did,” said one of the officers from the castle.
    â€œOh, thou wilt come no more,” cried the poor old man. “Do you see this? Look on her—look, her lips. Look there, look there.”
    And with that he fell with her still in his arms, and died.
    And this was the end of Lear and Cordelia.

CYMBELINE
    C YMBELINE was the King of Britain. He had three children. The two sons were stolen away from him when they were quite little children, and he was left with only one daughter, Imogen. The King married a second time, and brought up Leonatus, the son of a dead friend, as Imogen’s playfellow; and when Leonatus was old enough, Imogen secretly married him. This made the King and Queen very angry, and the King, to punish Leonatus, banished him from Britain.
    Poor Imogen was nearly heart-broken at parting from Leonatus, and he was not less unhappy. For they were not only lovers and husband and wife, but they had been friends and comrades ever since they were quite little children. With many tears and kisses they said “Good-bye.” They promised never to forget each other, and that they would never care for any one else as long as they lived.
    â€œThis diamond was my mother’s love,” said Imogen; “take it, my heart, and keep it as long as you love me.”
    â€œSweetest, fairest,” answered Leonatus, “wear this bracelet for my sake.”
    â€œAh!” cried Imogen, weeping, “when shall we meet again?”
    And while they were still in each other’s arms, the King came in, and Leonatus had to leave without more farewell.
    When he was come to Rome, where he had gone to stay with an old friend of his father’s, he spent his days still in thinking of his dear Imogen, and his nights in dreaming of her. One day at a feast some Italian and French noblemen were talking of their sweethearts, and swearing that they were the most faithful and honorable and beautiful ladies in the world. And a Frenchman reminded Leonatus how he had said many times that his wife Imogen was more fair, wise, and constant than any of the rest of the ladies in France.
    â€œI say so still,” said Leonatus.
    â€œShe is not so good but that she would deceive,” said Iachimo, one of the Italian nobles.
    â€œShe never would deceive,” said Leonatus.
    â€œI wager,” said Iachimo, “that, if I go to Britain, I can persuade your wife to do whatever I wish, even if it should be against your wishes.”
    â€œThat you will never do,” said Leonatus. “I wager this ring upon my finger,” which was the very ring Imogen had given him at parting, “that my wife will keep all vows to me, and that you will never persuade her to do otherwise.”
    So Iachimo wagered half his estate against the ring on Leonatus’ finger, and started forthwith to