Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better! Best! This weaves itself perforce into my business! My father watches:-O sir, fly this place; Edg. I am sure on't, not a word. Edm. 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 Of [Wounds his arm. my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunk ards Do more than this in sport.-Father! father! Enter Gloster, and Servants with torches. Glo. Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. (1) Delicate. But where is he? (2) Consider, recollect yourself Glo. Where is the villain, Edmund? Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after.-[Exit Serv.] By no means,-what? Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; But that I told him, the revenging gods 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion, Full suddenly he fled. Glo. Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; And found-Despatch. master, Let him fly far: -The noble duke my My worthy arch2 and patron, comes to-night: That he, which finds him, shall deserve our thanks, Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent, Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny (As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce My very character,5) I'd turn it all (1) Frighted. (2) Chief. (3) Pitched, fixed. (5) Hand-writing To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: To make thee seek it. Glo. Strong and fasten'd villain! Would he deny his letter?-I never got him. [Trumpets within. Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes: All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants. Corn. How now, my noble friend? since I came hither, (Which I can call but now,) I have heard strange news. Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short, Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord?? Glo. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd! 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. It is too bad, too bad. Edm. I know not, madam : Yes, madam, he was. Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected; 'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, (1) i. e. Capable of succeeding to my land. To have the waste and spoil of his revenues. I'll not be there. Corn. Nor I, assure thee, Regan. Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father A child-like office. Edm. 'Twas my duty, sir. Glo. He did bewray! his practice;2 and receiv'd This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. Corn. Is he pursued? Glo. Ay, my good lord, he is. Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, Edm. I shall serve you, sir, Glo. For him I thank your grace. Corn. You know not why we came to visit you,Reg. Thus out of season; threading dark-ey'd night. Occasions, noble Gloster, of some poize,3 Your needful counsel to our business, Which craves the instant use. Glo. Your graces are right welcome. I serve you, madam : [Exeunt. (1) Betray. (2) Wicked purpose. (3) Weight. SCENE 11.-Before Gloster's castle. Enter Stew. Good dawning to thee, friend: Art of the house? Kent. Ay. Stew. Where may we set our horses? Kent. I'the mire. Stew. Pr'ythee, if thou love me, tell me. Stew. Why, then I care not for thee. Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me. not. Stew. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee Kent. Fellow, I know thee. Stew. What dost thou know me for? Kent. A knave; a rascal, an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, threesuited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted-stocking knave; a lily-liver'd, action-taking knave; a whoreson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldest be a bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny'st the least syllable of thy addition.I Stew. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one, that is neither known of thee, nor knows thee! Kent. What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou know'st me! Is it two days ago, since I tripped up thy heels, and beat thee before the king? Draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, the moon shines; I'll make a sop o'the moonshine of you: Draw, you whoreson cullionly barbermonger, draw. [Drawing his sword. (1) Titles. |