You have now the good advantage of the night.
Have you not spoken gainst the Duke of Cornwall?
He’s coming hither, now, i’th’night, i’th’haste24,
And Regan with him: have you nothing said25
Upon his party gainst the Duke of Albany?
Advise yourself27.
EDGAR I am sure on’t, not a word.
EDMUND I hear my father coming, pardon me:
Draws
In cunning30 I must draw my sword upon you:
Edgar draws
Draw, seem to defend yourself. Now quit you31 well.
Yield: come before my father.— Light, ho, here!—
Fly, brother.— Torches, torches!— So, farewell.
Exit Edgar
Wounds his arm
Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion34
Of my more fierce35 endeavour: I have seen drunkards
Do more than this in sport.— Father, father!
Stop, stop! No help?
Enter Gloucester and Servants with torches
GLOUCESTER Now, Edmund, where’s the villain?
EDMUND Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,
Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon40
To stand auspicious mistress41—
GLOUCESTER But where is he?
EDMUND Look, sir, I bleed.
GLOUCESTER Where is the villain, Edmund?
EDMUND Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could—
GLOUCESTER Pursue him, ho! Go after.
[Exeunt Servants]
By no means what?
EDMUND Persuade me to the murder of your lordship,
But that I told him the revenging gods
Gainst parricides did all the thunder bend50,
Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond
The child was bound to th’father; sir, in fine52,
Seeing how loathly opposite53 I stood
To his unnatural purpose, in fell54 motion
With his preparèd sword, he charges home55
My unprovided body, latched56 mine arm;
And when he saw my best alarumed57 spirits,
Bold in the quarrel’s right, roused to th’encounter58,
Or whether ghasted59 by the noise I made,
Full60 suddenly he fled.
GLOUCESTER Let him fly far:
Not in this land shall he remain uncaught,
And found — dispatch63. The noble duke my master,
My worthy arch and patron64, comes tonight:
By his authority I will proclaim it,
That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks,
Bringing the murderous coward to the stake67:
He that conceals him, death.
EDMUND When I dissuaded him from his intent
And found him pight to do it, with curst70 speech
I threatened to discover71 him: he replied,
’Thou unpossessing72 bastard, dost thou think,
If I would stand against thee, would the reposal73
Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee
Make thy words faithed75? No: what should I deny —
As this I would, though thou didst produce
My very character77 — I’d turn it all
To thy suggestion, plot, and damnèd practice78,
And thou must make a dullard of the world79,
If they not thought the profits80 of my death
Were very pregnant and potential spirits81
Tucket within
To make thee seek it.’
GLOUCESTER O, strange and fastened83 villain!
Would he deny his letter, said he?
Hark, the duke’s trumpets! I know not where85 he comes.
All ports86 I’ll bar: the villain shall not scape:
The duke must grant me that. Besides, his picture87
I will send far and near, that all the kingdom
May have due note of him, and of my land,
Loyal and natural boy, I’ll work the means90
To make thee capable91.
Enter Cornwall, Regan and Attendants
CORNWALL How now, my noble friend? Since I came hither —
Which I can call but now — I have heard strangeness.
REGAN If it be true, all vengeance comes too short
Which can pursue th’offender. How dost, my lord?
GLOUCESTER O, madam, my old heart is cracked, it’s cracked!
REGAN What, did my father’s godson seek your life?
He whom my father named? Your Edgar?
GLOUCESTER O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid!
REGAN Was he not companion with the riotous knights
That tended upon101 my father?
GLOUCESTER I know not, madam: ’tis too bad, too bad.
EDMUND Yes, madam, he was of that consort103.
REGAN No marvel, then, though he were ill affected104:
’Tis they have put him on105 the old man’s death,
To have th’expense106 and waste of his revenues.
I have this present evening from my sister
Been well informed of them, and with such cautions
That if they come to sojourn at my house,
I’ll not be there.
CORNWALL Nor I, assure thee, Regan.—
Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father
A child-like office113.
EDMUND It was my duty, sir.
To Cornwall
GLOUCESTER He did bewray his practice115 and received
This hurt you see striving to apprehend him.
CORNWALL Is he pursued?
GLOUCESTER Ay, my good lord.
CORNWALL If he be taken, he shall never more
Be feared of doing harm: make your own purpose,120
How in my strength you please. For121 you, Edmund,
Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant
So much commend itself, you shall be ours123:
Natures of such deep trust we shall much need:
You we first seize on125.
EDMUND I shall serve you, sir, truly, however else.
GLOUCESTER For him I thank your grace.
CORNWALL You know not why we came to visit you?
REGAN Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed129 night:
Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some prize130,
Wherein we must have use of your advice:
Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
Of differences133, which I best thought it fit
To answer from134 our home: the several messengers
From hence attend dispatch135. Our good old friend,
Lay comforts to your bosom, and bestow
Your needful counsel to our businesses,
Which craves the instant use138
GLOUCESTER I serve you, madam:
Your graces are right welcome.
Exeunt. Flourish
Act 2 Scene 2
running scene 5
Enter Kent and Steward [Oswald], severally
Kent disguised as Caius
OSWALD Good dawning1 to thee, friend: art of this house?
KENT Ay2.
OSWALD Where may we set3 our horses?
KENT I’th’mire4.
OSWALD Prithee, if thou lov’st me, tell me5.
KENT I love thee not.
OSWALD Why then, I care not for thee.
KENT If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold8, I would make thee
care for me.
OSWALD Why dost thou use10 me thus? I know thee not.
KENT Fellow, I know thee.
OSWALD What dost thou know me for12?
KENT A knave, a rascal, an eater of broken meats13, a base,