Fool. If thou wert my fool, nuncle, I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time. Lear. How's that? Fool. Thou should'st not have been old, before thou hadst been wise. Lear. O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper; I would not be mad !— How now! Are the horses ready? Gent. Ready, my lord. Lear. Come, boy. Fool. She that is maid now, and laughs at my departure, Shall not be a maid long, unless things be cut shorter. [Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I-A court within the castle of the Earl of Gloster. Enter Edmund and Curan, meeting. Edm. Save thee, Curan. Cur. And you, sir. I have been with your father; and given him notice, that the duke of Cornwall, and Regan his duchess, will be here with him to-night. Edm. How comes that? Cur. Nay, I know not: You have heard of the news abroad; I mean, the whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments? Edm. Not I; Pray you, what are they? Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the dukes of Cornwall and Albany? Edm. Not a word. Cur. You may then, in time. Fare you well, sir. [Exit. 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 [Wounds his arm. Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunk ards Do more than this in sport.-Father! father! Enter Gloster, and Servants with torches. out, Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon To stand his auspicious mistress : 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, Glo. Let him fly far': Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; And found-Despatch. The noble duke my master, 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 produc My very character,5) I'd turn it all (1) Frighted. (2) Chief. (4) Severe, harsh. (3) Pitched, fixed. (5) Hand-writing To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: 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. I know not, madam: Yes, madam, he was. Edm. 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 have this present evening from my sister 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, How in my strength you please.-For you, Edmund, Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant So much commend itself, you shall be ours; Natures of such deep trust we shall much need; You we first seize on. Edm. Truly, however else. 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, |