Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall ?
He's coming hither.
Edg.

I'm sure on't, not a word.
Edın. I hear my father coming :-pardon me;
In cunning I must draw my sword upon you :-
Draw: seem to defend yourself: now quit you well.-
Yield :-come before my father.—Light, ho, here !
Fly, brother.—Torches, torches !-So, farewell.

[Exit EDGAR. Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion

[Wounds his arm. Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards Do more than this in sport.-Father, father !Stop, stop !-No help?

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.

But where is he?
Edm. Look, sir, I bleed.
Glo.

Where is the villain, Edmund ? Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he

couldGlo. 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, With his prepared sword he charges home My unprovided body, lanc'd mine arm: But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits, Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to th' encounter, Or whether gasted by the noise I made, Full suddenly he fled.

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,
Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means
To make thee capable.

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 theriotous 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,
Of differences, which I best thought it fit
To answer from our home.
Glo.

I serve you, madam:
Your graces are right welcome.

[Exeunt. Enter Kent and OSWALD, severally. Osw. Good dawning to thee, friend : art of this house?

K'ent. 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 mcats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, threesuited, filthy, worsted-stocking knave.

įDrawing 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.

[Beating him. Osw. Help, ho! murder! murder!

Enter EDMUND.

Edm. How now! What's the matter?

Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER, and

Servants.

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 ?
Kent. Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.
Corn. Why art thou angry?

Kent. That such a knave as this should wear a sword, who wears no honesty. Corn. Why dost thou call him knave? What's

his offence ? Kent. His countenance likes me not. Corn. No more, perchance, does mine, nor his,

nor hers.
Kent. Sir, 'tis my occupation to be plain :
I have seen better faces in my time
Than stands on any shoulder that I see
Before me at this instant.
Corn.

This is some fellow,
Who, having been prais'd for bluntness, doth affect
A saucy roughness.
What was the offence you gave him ?

Osw. I never gave him any :
It pleas'd the king his master very late
To strike at me, upon his misconstruction ;
When he, conjunct, and flattering his displeasure,
Tripp'd me behind ; drew on me here again.
Corn.

Fetch forth the stocks !-
We'll teach you-
Kent.

Sir, I am too old to learn :
Call not your stocks for me; I serve the king.
Corn. Fetch forth the stocks !-As I have life and

honour, There shall he sit till noon. Reg. Till noon! till night, my lord ; and all night

too. Kent. Why, madam, if I were your father's dog, You should not use me so.

Sir, being his knave, I will.

[Exit. Stocks brought out. Glo. Let me beseech your grace not to do so : His fault is much, and the good king his master Will check him for it.

Reg.

Corn.

I will answer that.

[Kent is put in the stocks. [Exeunt 'all except GLOSTER and KENT. Glo. I'm sorry for thee, friend; 'tis the duke's

pleasure, Whose disposition, all the world well knows, Will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd: I'll entreat for thee. Kent. Pray, do not, sir: I've watch'd, and travell’d

hard ; Some time I shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle. Give you good morrow.

Glo. The duke's to blame in this ; 'twill be ill taken.

[Exit. Kent. Good king, that must approve the common

saw,Thou out of heaven's benediction com'st To the warm sun! Approach, thou beacon to this under globe, That by thy comfortable beams I may Peruse this letter !—I know ’tis from Cordelia, Who hast most fortunately been informed Of my obscured course, all weary and o’erwatch'd, Take vantage, heavy eyes, not to behold This shameful lodging. Fortune, good night: smile once more; turn thy

wheel !

SCENE 2.—The Open Country.

Enter EDGAR.

Edgar.
H heard myself proclaim'd;

And by the happy hollow of a tree

Escap'd the hunt. No port is free; no place, That guard, and most unusual vigilance, Does not attend my taking. While I may 'scape,