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 Gloster? Edm. Himself;-What say'st thou to him? Edg. Draw thy sword; That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name;2 By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn: 1 Notwithstanding. 2 Because if his adversary was not of equal rank, Edmund might have declined the combat. 3 Sample. With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart; Which, (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,) Alb. O save him, save him! Gon. This is mere practice,4 Gloster : By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd, But cozen'd and beguil'd. Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it :—Hold, sir :— Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil:No tearing, lady; I perceive, you know it. [Gives the Letter to EDMUND. Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine: Who shall arraign me for't? Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. [To an Officer, who goes out. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that have I done; And more, much more: the time will bring it out; 'Tis past, and so am I: But what art thou,' That hast this fortune on me? If thou art noble, Edg. Let's exchange charity. I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; 4 Stratagem. If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me. The dark and vicious place where thee he got, Edm. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; The wheel is come full circle; I am here. Alb. Methought, thy very gait did prophecy A royal nobleness:-1 must embrace thee; Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I Did hate thee, or thy father! Edg. I know it well. Alb. Worthy prince, Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? Edg. By nursing them, my lord-Lists a brief tale; And, when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst!— That follow'd me so near, (O our lives' sweetness! s Hear. I ask'd his blessing, and from first to last Burst smilingly. Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me, And shall, perchance, do good: but speak you on; You look as you had something more to say. Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in; For I am almost ready to dissolve, Hearing of this. Edg. This would have seem'd a period To such as love not sorrow; but another, Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man, Shunn'd my abhorr'd society; but then, finding Alb. But who was this? Edg. Kent, sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service Improper for a slave. Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody Knife. Gent. Help! help! O help! Edg. Alb. What kind of help? Speak, man. "Tis hot, it smokes ; Edg. What means that bloody knife? Gent. It came even from the heart of Alb. Who, man? speak. Gent. Your lady, sir, your lady: and her sister By her is poison'd; she confesses it. Edm. I was contracted to them both; all three Now marry in an instant. Alb. Produce their bodies, be they alive or dead!— This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble, Touches us not with pity. [Exit Gentleman. Enter KENT. Edg. Here comes Kent, sir. Alb. O! it is he. The time will not allow the compliment, Which very manners urges. Kent. I am come 6 To bid my king and master aye good night; Is he not here? Alb. Great thing of us forgot! Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where's Cordelia? See'st thou this object, Kent? [The Bodies of GONERIL and REGAN are brought in. 6 For ever. |