SCENE III.-The British camp near Dover. Enter, in conquest, with drum and colours, EDMUND; LEAR and CORDELIA, as Prisoners; Officers, Soldiers, &c. Edm. Some officers take them away: good guard; Until their greater pleasures first be known, That are to censure them. Cor. We are not the first, Who, with best meaning, have incurr'd the worst. Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,— As if we were God's spies: And we'll wear out, Edm. Take them away. Lear. Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? He that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven, 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 advanc'd thee; if thou dost Does not become a sword:-Thy great employment 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, 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 And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes Which do command them. With him I sent the queen; My reason all the same; and they are ready To-morrow, or at farther space, to appear Where you shall hold your session. At this time, The question of Cordelia, and her father, Alb. Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, him. Reg. That's as we list to grace And call itself your brother. Gon. Not so hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, Reg. In my rights, By me invested, he compeers the best. Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you. Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. Holla, holla! That eye, that told you so, look'd but a-squint. Reg. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Alb. The let alone lies not in your good will. 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, Gon. An interlude! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy person, 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. Edm. There's my exchange: [Throwing down a glove.] what in the world he is, That names me traitor, villain-like he lies: 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. Herald reads. [A trumpet sounds. 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 trumpet: He is bold in his defence. Edm. Sound. Her. Again. Her. Again. [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 Edg. Know, my name is lost; By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit: I come to cope withal. Alb. Which is that adversary? Edg. What's he, that speaks for Edmund earl of Edm. Himself;-What say'st thou to him? That, if my speech offend a noble heart, |