ACT V. SCENE 1.-The Camp of the British Forces, near Dover. EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others. Reg. Edmund. NOW of the duke if his last purpose hold. And self-reproving:-bring his constant pleasure. [To an Officer, who goes out. Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you: Tell me, but truly,-but then speak the truth, Do you not love my sister? Edm. No, by mine honour, madam. Reg. I never shall endure her: dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Edm. She and the duke her husband! Fear me not : [Trumpet. Enter, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Gon. [Aside.] I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me. Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met. Sir, this I hear,—the king is come to his daughter, With others whom the rigour of our state Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, Alb. Let us, then, determine With the consent of all on our proceeding. Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. Gon. No. Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Gon. [Aside.] O, ho, I know the riddle.-I will go. As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised. Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. Alb. I'll overtake you.-Speak. [Exeunt all except ALBANY and EDGAR. Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion that will prove What is avouchèd there. Fortune love you! Alb. Stay till I've read the letter. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I'll appear again. I was forbid it. [Exit EDGAR. Re-enter EDmund. Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your powers. Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery;—but your haste Is now urg'd on yɔu. Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit. Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love: Each jealous of the other, as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Her husband being alive. Now, then, we'll use His speedy taking off. As for the mercy SCENE 2.-The Same. [Exit. Enter, in conquest, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edmund. JOME officers take them away: good guard, Cor. prison: We two alone, will sing like birds i' the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh; And take upon's the mystery of things, As if we were God's spies. Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The God's themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven, And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; Ere they shall make us weep, w'ell see 'em starve. Come. [Exeunt LEAR and CORDELIA, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark. Take thou this note [giving a warrant]; go follow them to prison : One step I have advanc'd thee; if thou dost Or thrive by other means. Off. I'll do't my lord. Edm. About it; and write happy when thou'st done. [Exit Officer. Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Officers, and Attendants. Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, And fortune led you well: you have the captives Edm. Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention. With him I sent the queen; To-morrow, or at farther space, t'appear Where you may hold your session. Alb. Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, Reg. That's as we list to grace him. [To Edmund] Witness the world, that I create thee here My lord and master. Gon. Mean you to possess him? Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will. Edm. Nor in thine, Lord, Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. Alb. Edmund, I arrest thee. On capital treason; and, in thy arrest, [To EDMUND This gilded serpent. [Pointing to GONERIL.] Thou art arm'd, Gloster.-Let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy person Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, I'll prove it on thy heart. Reg. Sick, O, sick! Gon. [Aside.] If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. That names me traitor, villain-like he lies. Reg. My sickness grows upon me. Alb. Convey her to my tent. [REGAN is led out. Enter a Herald. Come hither, herald,-let the trumpet sound, Her. Sound, trumpet! [Trumpet sounds. Reads.] "If any man of quality or degree within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor, let him |