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Stew. No, madam.

Reg. What might import my sister's letter to him? Stew. I know not, lady.

Reg. 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out,
To let him live; where he arrives, he moves
All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone,
In pity of his misery, to dispatch

His nighted life; moreover, to descry
The strength o' the enemy.

Stew. I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.

Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The ways are dangerous.

Stew.

I may not, madam;

My lady charged my duty in this business.
Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might

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Let me unseal the letter.

Stew.

Madam, I had ratherReg. I know, your lady does not love her husband; I am sure of that: and, at her late being here, She gave strange ciliads, and most speaking looks To noble Edmund: I know you are of her bosom. Stew. I, madam?

Reg. I speak in understanding; you are, I know it:

Therefore, I do advise you, take this note :3
My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd;
And more convenient is he for my hand,
Than for your lady's:-You may gather more.
If you do find him, pray you, give him this:
And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.
So, fare you well.

If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

Stew. 'Would I could meet him, madam; I would
show
What party I do follow.
Reg.

Fare thee well. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI.-The Country near Dover. Enter GLOSTER, and EDGAR dressed like a Peasant. Glo. When shall we come to the top of that same hill?

Edg. You do climb up it now; look, how we

labor.

Glo. Methinks, the ground is even.
Edg.
Hark, do you hear the sea?

Horrible steep;
Glo.
No, truly.
Edg. Why,then your other senses grow imperfect
By your eyes' anguish.
Glo.
So may it be, indeed:
Methinks, thy voice is alter'd; and thou speak'st
In better phrase, and matter, than thou didst.
Edg. You are much deceiv'd; in nothing am I
changed,

But in my garments.

Glo.
Methinks, you are better spoken.
Edg. Come on, sir; here's the place:-stand
still. How fearful

And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
The crows, and choughs, that wing the midway air,
Show scarce so gross as beetles: Half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphire 4 dreadful trade!
Methinks, he seems no bigger than his head:
The fishermen, that walk upon the beach,
Appear like mice; and yon' tall anchoring bark,
2 A cast, or significant glance of the eye.
Observe what I am saying.

A vegetable gathered for pickling.

Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy
Almost too small for sight: The murmuring

surge,

That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,
Cannot be heard so high:-I'll look no more;
Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight
Topples down headlong.
Glo.
Set me where you stand.
Elg. Give me your hand: You are now within
a foot

Of the extreme verge: for all beneath the moon
Would I not leap upright.
Glo.

Let go my hand.
Here, friend, is another purse; in it a jewel
Well worth a poor man's taking: Fairies, and gods,
Prosper it with thee! Go thou further off;
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.
Edg. Now fare you well, good sir.

[Seems to go. Glo. With all my heart. Edg. Why I do trifle thus with his despair, Is done to cure it. Glo. O you mighty gods! This world I do renounce; and, in your sights, Shake patiently my great affliction off: If I could bear it longer, and not fall To quarrel with your great opposeless wills, My snuff, and loathed part of nature, should Burn itself out. If Edgar live, O, bless him!Now fellow, fare thee well.

[He leaps, and falls along.
Edg.
Gone, sir? farewell.-
And yet I know not how conceit may rob
The treasury of life, when life itself
Yields to the theft: Had he been where he thought,
By this, had thought been past.-Alive, or dead?
Ho, you sir! friend!-Hear you! sir!-speak,
Thus might he pass indeed :-Yet he revives:
What are you, sir?

Glo.
Away, and let me die.
Edg. Hadst thou been aught but gossamer,
feathers, air,

So many fathom down precipitating,
Thou hadst shiver'd like an egg: but thou dost
breathe;

Hast heavy substance; bleed'st not; speak'st; art sound.

Ten masts at each make not the altitude,
Thy life's a miracle: Speak yet again.
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell;

Glo. But have I fallen, or no?

Edg. From the dread summit of this chalky bourn;

Look up a-height;-the shrill-gorgeds lark so far
Cannot be seen or heard: do but look up.
Glo. Alack, I have no eyes.-

Is wretchedness deprived that benefit,
To end itself by death? 'Twas yet some comfort,
When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage,
And frustrate his proud will.
Edg.

Give me your arm:
Up-So-How is't? Feel you your legs? You
stand.
Glo. Too well, too well.
Edg.
This is above all strangeness.
Upon the crown o' the cliff, what thing was that
Which parted from you?

Glo.

A poor unfortunate beggar. Edg. As I stood here below, methought, his eyes Were two full moons; he had a thousand noses, Horns whelk'd, and waved like the enridged sea; It was some fiend: Therefore, thou happy father, Think that the clearest gods, who make them honors

Of men's impossibilities, have preserved thee.
Glo. I do remember now: henceforth I'll bear
Affliction, till it do cry out itself,
Enough, enough, and die. That thing you speak of,
I took it for a man; often 'twould say,
The fiend, the fiend: he led me to that place.
Edg. Bear free and patient thoughts.-But who
comes here?

Enter LEAR, fantastically dressed up with
Flowers.

The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
His master thus.

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Lear. No, they cannot touch me for coining; I am the king himself.

Edg. O thou side-piercing sight!

Lear. Nature's above art in that respect.-There's your press-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper: draw me a clothier's yard.2-Look, look, a mouse! Peace, peace ;-this piece of toasted cheese will do't.-There's my gauntlet; I'll prove it on a giant.-Bring up the brown bills-0, well flown bird!-i' the clout, i' the clout: hewgh!Give the word.5

Elg. Sweet marjoram. Lear. Pass.

Glo. I know that voice.

Lear. Ha! Goneril!--with a white beard!-They flatter'd me like a dog; and told me, I had white hairs in my beard, ere the black ones were there. To say ay, and no, to every thing I said!-Ay and no too was no good divinity. When the rain came to wet me once, and the wind to make me chatter; when the thunder would not peace at my bidding; there I found them, there I smelt them out. Go to, they are not men o' their words: they told me I was every thing; 'tis a lie; I am not ague-proof.

Glo. The trick of that voice I do well remember: Is't not the king?

Lear.

Ay, every inch a king:
When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes.
I pardon that man's life; what was thy cause?-
Adultery-

Thou shalt not die: Die for adultery! No:
The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight.

Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son
Was kinder to his father, than my daughters
Got 'tween the lawful sheets.

To't, luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.-
Behold yon' simpering dame,

Whose face between her forks presageth snow;
That minceth virtue, and does shake the head
To hear of pleasure's name;

The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to't
With a more riotous appetite.

Down from the waist they are centaurs,
Though women all above;

But to the girdle do the gods inherit,

Beneath is all the tiend's; there's hell, there's dark

ness.

There is the sulphurous pit, burning, scalding, stench, consumption;-Fie, fie, fie! pah; pah! Give me an ounce of civet, good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination: there's money for thee. Glo. O, let me kiss that hand!

Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. Glo. O ruin'd piece of nature! This great world Shall so wear out to naught.-Dost thou know me? Lear. I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou squiny at me? No, dothy worst, blind Cupid; I'll not love.-Read thou this challenge; mark but the penning of it.

Glo. Were all the letters suns, I could not see one. Edg. I would not take this from report;-it is, And my heart breaks at it.

Lear. Read.

Glo. What, with the case of eyes?

Lear. O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: Yet you see how this world goes.

Glo. I see it feelingly.

Lear. What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes, with no eyes. Look with thine ears; see how yon' justice rails upon yon' simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handydandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?-Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar? Glo. Ay, sir.

Lear. And the creature run from the cur? There thou might'st behold the great image of authority: a dog's obey'd in office.

Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand:
Why dost thou lash that whore? Štrip thine own

back;

Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind

Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes, and furr'd gowns, hide all. Plate sin with gold,

And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks.
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it.
None does offend, none, I say, none; I'll able 'em:
Take that of me, my friend, who have the power
To seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass eyes;
And, like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the things thou dost not. Now, now, now,

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come

To this great stage of fools;-This a good block ?8 It were a delicate stratagem, to shoe

A troop of horse with felt: I'll put it in proof; And when I have stolen upon these sons-in-law, Then kill, ki!l, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Enter a Gentleman, with Attendants. Gent. O, here he is; lay hand upon him.-Sir, Your most dear daughter

Lear. No rescue? What, a prisoner? I am even The natural fool of fortune.-Use me well; You shall have ransom. Let me have a surgeon, I am cut to the brains.

Gent.

You shall have any thing. Lear. No seconds? All myself? Why, this would make a man, a man of salt,9 To use his eyes for garden water-pots, Ay, and for laying autumn's dust.

Gent.

Good sir,

Lear. I will die bravely, like a bridegroom:
What?

I will be jovial: come, come; I am a king,
My masters, know you that?

Gent. You are a royal one, and we obey you. Lear. Then there's life in it. Nay, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa.

[Exit, running; Attendants follow. Gent. A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch; Past speaking of in a king!-Thou hast one daughter, Who redeems nature from the general curse Which twain have brought her to. Edg. Hail, gentle sir. Gent. Sir, speed you: What's your will? Edg. Do you hear aught, sir, of a battle toward? Gent. Most sure, and vulgar; every one hears that, Which can distinguish sound. Edg. How near's the other army ? Gent. Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the hourly thought.

But by your favor,

Edg. I thank you, sir: that's all. Gent. Though that the queen on special cause is here, Her army is mov'd on. Edg. I thank you, sir. [Exit Gent. Glo. You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from Let not my worser spirit2 tempt me again To die before you please! Edg.

me;

Well pray you, father. Glo. Now, good sir, what are you? Edg. A most poor man, made tame by fortune's blows;

Who, by the art of known and feeling sorrows, Am pregnant to good pity. Give me your hand, I'll lead you to some biding.

Glo

Hearty thanks: The bounty and the benizon3 of heaven

For which thou whipp'st her. The usurer hangs To boot, and boot!4

the cozener.

An arrow of a cloth-yard long.

The white mark for archers to aim at. The watch-word. Likeness, manner.

Battle-axes.

• Look asquint.

Block anciently signified the head part of a hat. i.e. A man of tears.

The main body is expected to be descried every hour • Evil genius. Blessing. Reward, recompense.

Enter Steward.

Stew. A proclaim'd prize! Most happy! That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh To raise my fortunes.-Thou old unhappy traitor, Briefly thyself remember:-The sword is out That must destroy thee. Glo.

Now let thy friendly hand Put strength enough to it. EDGAR opposes. Stew. Wherefore, bold peasant, Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor? Hence; Lest that the infection of his fortune take Like hold on thee. Let go his arm.

Edg. Ch'ill not let go, zir, without vurther 'casion. Stew. Let go, slave, or thou diest.

Edg. Good gentleman, go your gait,5 and let poor volk pass. And ch'ud ha' been swagger'd out of my life, 'twould not ha' been so long as 'tis by a vortnight. Nay, come not near the old man; keep out, che vor' ye, or ise try whether your costard or my bat? be the harder; Ch'ill be plain with you. Stew. Out, dunghill!

Edg. Ch'ill pick your teeth, zir: Come; no matter vor your foins.s

[They fight; and EDGAR knocks him down. Stew. Slave, thou hast slain me:-Villain, take my purse;

If ever thou wilt thrive, bury my body;

And give the letters, which thou find'st about me,
To Edmund earl of Gloster: seek him out
Upon the British party :-0, untimely death!

[Dies.

Edg. I know thee well: a serviceable villain; As duteous to the vices of your mistress, As badness would desire.

Glo.

What, is he dead?

Edg. Sit you down, father; rest you.Let's see his pockets: these letters, that he speaks of, May be my friends.-He's dead: I am only sorry He had no other death's man.-Let us see: Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: To know our enemies' minds, we'd rip their hearts; Their papers, is more lawful.

[Reads.] Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You have many opportunities to cut him off: if your will want not, time and place will be fruitfully offered. There is nothing done, if he return the conqueror: Then am I the prisoner, and his bed my gaol; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labor.

Your wife, (so I would say,) and your affectionate servant,

GONERIL.

O undistinguish'd space of woman's will!-
A plot upon her virtuous husband's life;
And the exchange, my brother!-Here, in the
sands,

Thee I'll rake up, the post unsanctified

Of murderous lechers; and, in the mature time,
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the death-practis'd duke: For him 'tis well,
That of thy death and business I can tell.

[Exit EDGAR, dragging out the Body.
Glo. The king is mad: How stiff is my vile sense,
That I stand up, and have ingenious feeling
Of my huge sorrows! Better I were distract:
So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs;
And woes, by wrong imagination, lose
The knowledge of themselves.

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These weeds are memories of those worser hours;
I pr'ythee, put them off.
Kent.

Pardon me, dear madam;
Yet to be known, shortens my made intent:
My boon I make it, that you know me not,
Till time and I think meet.

Cor. Then be it so, my good lord.-How does the king? [To the Physician.

Phys. Madam, sleeps still.

Cor. O you kind gods,

Cure this great breach of his abused nature!
Th' untuned and jarring senses, O, wind up,
Of this child-changed father!

Phys. So please your majesty,

That we may wake the king! he hath slept long.
Cor. Be govern'd by your knowledge, and proceed
I' the sway of your own will. Is he array'd?
Gent. Ay, madam: in the heaviness of his sleep,
We put fresh garments on him.

Phys. Be by, good madam, when we do awake him;

I doubt not of his temperance.

Cor.
Very well.
Phys. Please you, draw near.-Louder the mu-

sic there!

Cor. O my dear father! Restoration, hang
Thy medicine on my lips; and let this kiss
Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters
Have in thy reverence made!
Kent.
Kind and dear princess!
Cor. Had you not been their father, these white
flakes

Had challenged pity of them. Was this a face
To be expos'd against the warring winds?
To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?
In the most terrible and nimble stroke

Of quick, cross lightning to watch (poor perdu !2)
With this thin helm 13 Mine enemy's dog,
Though he had bit me, should have stood that night
Against my fire; And wast thou fain, poor father,
To hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn,
In short and musty straw? Alack, alack!
Tis wonder, that thy life and wits at once
Had not concluded all.-He wakes; speak to him.
Phys. Madam, do you; 'tis fittest.

Cor. How does my royal lord? How fares your . majesty?

Lear. You do me wrong, to take me out o' the

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Lear.

Pray, do not mock me: I am a very foolish fond old man, Fourscore, and upwards; and, to deal plainly, I fear, I am not in my perfect mind. Methinks, I should 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. Cor.

And so I am, I am. Lear. Be your tears wet? Yes, faith. I pray, weep not:

If you have poison for me, I will drink it.

I know, you do not love me; for your sisters
Have, as I do remember, done me wrong:
You have some cause, they have not.
Cor.

Lear. Am I in France?

No cause, no cause.

The allusion is to the forlorn hope in an army, called

in French, enfans perdus.

Thin covering of hair.

Kent.

In your own kingdom, sir.
Lear. Do not abuse me.
Phys. Be comforted, good madam: the great
rage,

You see, is cured in him; and yet it is danger
To make him even o'er the time he has lost.
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more,
Till further settling.

Cor. Will't please your highness walk? Lear. You must bear with me: Pray now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish. [Exeunt LEAR, CORDELIA, Physician, and Attendants.

Gent. Holds it true, sir,

That the duke of Cornwall was so slain?

Most certain, sir.

As 'tis said,

They say, Edgar,

Kent.
Gent. Who is conductor of his people?
Kent.

The bastard son of Gloster.
Gent.

His banish'd son, is with the earl of Kent
In Germany.
Kent.

Report is changeable. 'Tis time to look about; the powers o' the kingdom Approach apace.

Gent. The arbitrement' is like to be a bloody. Fare you well, sir. [Exit. Kent. My point and period will be thoroughly wrought,

Or well, or ill, as this day's battle's fought. [Exit.

ACT V.

SCENE I.-The Camp of the British Forces, near | I can produce a champion, that will prove

Dover.

Enter, with Drums and Colors, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and others.

Edm. Know of the duke, if his last purpose hold, Or, whether since he is advis'd by aught To change the course: He's full of alteration, And self-approving: - Bring his constant pleasure.5

[To an Officer, who goes out. Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam. Reg. 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.

In honor'd love.

Reg. But have you never found my brother's way To the forefended place? Edm.

you.

That thought abuses Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. Edm. No, by mine honor, madam.

Reg. I never shall endure her: Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. Edm.

Fear me not:She, and the duke her husband,

Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. Gon. I had rather lose the battle, than that sister Should loosen him and me. [Aside.

Alb. Our very loving sister, well be met.Sir, this I hear,--The king is come to his daughter, With others, whom the rigor of our state Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, I never yet was valiant: for this business, It touches us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king; with others, whom, I fear, Most just and heavy causes make oppose.9 Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. Reg. Why is this reason'd? Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy: For these domestic and particular broils Are not to question here.

Alb.

Let us then determine

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Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. Gon. O,ho, I know the riddle: [Aside.] 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 EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers,

Soldiers, and Attendants.

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,

To reconcile it to his apprehension.

His settled resolution.

Imposes on you.

• Opposition.

• Forbidden.

What is avouched there: If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.
Edg.
I was forbid it.
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again."
Exit.
Alb. Why, fare thee well; I will o'erlook thy

paper.

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 urged on you.

Alb.
We will greet the time.2 [Erit.
Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love;
Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
Each jealous of the other, as the stung
Both one? or neither? neither can be enjoy'd,
If both remain alive: To take the widow,
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side,3

Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her, who would be rid of him, devise
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear, and to Cordelia,-
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate.

[Exit.

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SCENE III-The British Camp near Dover.

Enter, in Conquest, with Drum and Colors, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as Prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c.

Emd. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known That are to censure them.

i. e. Emboldens him.

1 Decision.

i.e. Make my part good.

Be ready to meet the occasion.

• Pass judgment on them,

Cor.
We are not the first,
Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst.
For thee, oppressed king, am I cast down;
Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown.-
Shall we not see these daughters, and these sisters?
Lear. No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to
prison:

We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage:
When thou dost ask my blessing. I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee forgiveness: So we'll live.
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too-
Who loses, and who wins; who's in, who's out;-
And take upon us the mystery of things,

As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out,
In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,
That ebb and flow by the moon.
Edm.
Take them away.
Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia,
The gods themselves throw incense.

caught thee!

Have I

He that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven, And fire us hence, like foxes. Wipe thine eyes; The goujeers shall devour them, flesh and fell,6 Ere they shall make us weep: we'll see them

starve first.

Come. [Exeunt LEAR and Cordelia, guarded. Edm. Come hither, captain; hark.

Take thou this note; [Giving a Paper.] go, follow them to prison:

One step I have advanced thee; if thou dost
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes: Know thou this,-that men
Are as the time is: to be tender-minded
Does not become a sword:-Thy great employment
Will not bear question; either say, thou'it do't,
Or thrive by other means.

Off.

I'll do't, my lord.

Edm. About it; and write happy, when thou hast done.

Mark-I say, instantly; and carry it so,
As I have set it down.

Off. I cannot draw a cart, nor eat dried oats;
If it be man's work, I will do it. [Exit Officer.
Flourish. Enter ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, Offi-
cers, and Attendants."

Alb. Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain,

And fortune led you well: You have the captives,
Who were the opposites of this day's strife:
We do require them of you; so to use them,
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.

Edm.

Holloa, holloa!

Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. That eye, that told you so, look'd but a-squint.“ Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer From a full-flowing stomach.--General, Take thou thy soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine: Witness the world, that I create thee here My lord and master. Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Ath. 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. [TO EDMUND.

Alb. Stay yet; hear reason:--Edmund, I arrest

thee

On capital treason; and, in thy arrest,

This gilded serpent: [Pointing to GoN.]-for your claim, fair sister,

I bar it in the interest of my wife;

'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your banns.
If you will marry, make your love to me,
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.
An interlude!
Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet
sound:

If none appear to prove upon thy person,
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons.
There is my pledge: [Throwing down a Glove.]
I'll prove it on thy heart,

Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.
Reg.
Sick, O, sick!
Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. [Aside.
Him. There's my exchange: [Throwing down
a Glove.] what in the world he is

That names me traitor, villain-like he lies:
Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, (who not?) I will maintain
My truth and honor firmly.

Alb. A herald, ho!
Edm.
A herald, ho, a herald!
Alb. Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.

Reg.

This sickness grows upon me. Enter a Herald.

Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent. [Exit REGAN, led. Come hither, herald,-Let the trumpet sound,— And read out this.

Off. Sound trumpet.

[A Trumpet sounds.

Herald reais.

Sir, I thought it fit To send the old and miserable king To some retention, and appointed guard; Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, To pluck the common bosom on his side, And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes Which do comniand them. With him I sent the trumpet: He is bold in his defence.

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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 appear at the third sound of the

Edm. Sound.

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[1 Trumpet. 2 Trumpet. [3 Trumpet.

[Trumpet answers within.

Enter EDGAR, armed, preceded by a Trumpet. Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears Upon this call o' the trumpet.

Her.

What are you? Your name, your quality? and why you answer This present summons?

Edg.

Know, my name is lo By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit:" Yet am I noble, as the adversary I come to cope withal. Alb.

Which is that adversary? Edg. What's he, that speaks for Edmund earl of Gloster?

Edm. Himself:--What say'st thou to him?
Edg.
Draw thy sword!

That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine.
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honors,
My oath, and my profession: I protest,-
Maugrel thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,

Alluding to the proverb: "Love being jealous makes good eye look a squint." i. e. Valor.

Notwithstanding.

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