Dry up in her the organs of increase; And from her derogate body never spring ACT II. SCENE I.-A Court within GLOSTER'S Castle. Enter EDMUND and CURAN, meeting. Edmund. AVE thee, Curan. Cur. And you, sir. I have been with your father, and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here with him this night. Edm. How comes that? Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward 'twixt the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany? sir. Edm. Not a word. Cur. You may do, then, in time. Fare you well, [Exit. Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better! best! This weaves itself perforce into my business. Which I must act :-briefness and fortune, work!-- Enter EDGAR. My father watches :-O sir, fly this place; Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall? [Exit EDGAR. Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards Enter GLOSTER and Servants with torches. Glo. Now, Edinund, where's the villain? Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon To stand auspicious mistress, Glo. Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. Glo. But where is he? Where is the villain, Edmund ? Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after. [Exeunt some Servants.]-By no means what? Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship. Seeing how loathly opposite I stood To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion, Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to th' encounter, Glo. Let him fly far: Not in this land shall he remain uncaught. [Trumpets within. Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes. All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not scape; The duke must grant me that; and of my land, Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, and Attendants. Corn. How now, my noble friend! since I came hither, Which I can call but now,-I've heard strange news. Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life? He whom my father nam'd? your Edgar? Glo. O lady, lady, shame would have it hid! Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father? Glo. I know not, madam :-'tis too bad, too bad. Corn. Is he pursu'd? Glo. Ay, my good lord. Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm. For you, Edmund, Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant So much commend itself, you shall be ours. You know not why we came to visit you,— Reg. Thus out of season, threading dark-ey'd night. Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, To answer from our home. Glo. I serve you, madam: [Exeunt. Your graces are right welcome. Enter KENT and OSWALD, severally. Osw. Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house? Kent. Ay. Osw. Where may we set our horses? Kent. I' th' mire. Osw. Prithee, if thou lov'st me, tell me. Kent. I love thee not. Osw. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. Kent. Fellow, I know thee. Osw. What dost thou know me for? Kent. A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, threesuited, filthy, worsted-stocking knave. [Drawing his sword. Osw. Away! I have nothing to do with thee. Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come with letters 'gainst the king; draw, you rascal. Osw. Help, ho! murder! help! Kent. Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand. Osw. Help, ho! murder! murder! Enter EDMUND. [Beating him. Edm. How now! What's the matter? Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER, and Reg. The messengers from our sister and the king Corn. What is your difference? speak. Osw. I am scarce in breath, my lord. Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? Osw. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spar'd at suit of his gray beard,— Kent. Thou zed! thou unnecessary letter!-"Spare my gray beard," you wagtail! Corn. Peace, sirrah! Know you no reverence? |