Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you. Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will.* Edm. Nor in thine, lord. Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. [To EDMUND. Reg. Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. 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, And I, her husband, contradict your bans. If you will marry, make your My lady is bespoke. Gon. love to me, An interlude! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy person, The let-alone lies not in your good will.] Whether he shall not or shall, depends not on your choice. Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Reg. Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. Sick, O, sick! [Aside. Edm. There's my exchange: [Throwing down a 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. Come hither, herald,-Let the trumpet sound, And read out this. Off. Sound, trumpet. Herald reads. [Exit REGAN, led. [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. 5 word. 1 Trumpet. T2 Trumpet. 3 Trumpet. [Trumpet answers within. thy single virtue;] i. e. valour; a Roman sense of the + 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 Gloster? - Edm. Himself;-What say'st thou to him? Edg. Draw thy sword; That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, My oath, and my profession: I protest,Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence, Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune, Thy valour, and thy heart,-thou art a traitor: False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father; Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince; And, from the extremest upward of thy head, To the descent and dust beneath thy feet, A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, No, This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak, Thou liest. Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, My oath, and my profession:] The privilege of this oath means the privilege gained by taking the oath administered in the regular initiation of a knight professed. But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn: Alb. O save him, save him! Gon. This is mere practice, 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. All. 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. Know'st thou this paper? Ask me not what I know. [Exit GONERIL. 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, I do forgive thee. 7 'say of breeding breathes,] Say is sample, a taste. Where they shall rest for ever.] To that place, where they shall rest for ever; i. e. thy heart. Edg. Let's exchange charity. I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; 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:-I 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.-List a brief tale; And, when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst!— That follow'd me so near, (O our lives' sweetness ! |