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 hath set guard to take my brother; And I have one thing, of a queazy question*, Which I must act :-Briefness, and fortune, work!- Enter EDGAR. My father watches:-O sir, fly this place; You have now the good advantage of the night : queazy question,] Queazy, means delicate, unsettled, what requires to be handled nicely. Have you not spoken 'gainst the duke of Cornwall? 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 drunkards Enter GLOSTER, and Servants with Torches. Glo. Now, Edmund, where's the villain? Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon To stand his auspicious mistress : Glo. Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. Glo. But where is he? Where is the villain, Edmund ? Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after.-[Exit Servant.] 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; 5 Advise yourself.] i. e. consider, recollect yourself. To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion, Full suddenly he fled. Glo. Let him fly far: Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; And found-Despatch.-The noble duke my master, 7 By his authority I will proclaim it, That he, which finds him, shall deserve our thanks, Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent, 8 Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny, To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: If they not thought the profits of my death Glo. Strong and fasten'd villain! Would he deny his letter?—I never got him. 6 gasted-] Frighted. [Trumpets within. 7 arch—] i. e. chief; a word now used only in composition, as arch-angel, arch-duke. 8 And found him pight to do it, with curst speech-] Pight is pitched, fixed, settled. Curst is severe, harsh, vehemently angry. 9 My very character,] i. c. my very handwriting. Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes: 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. Edm. I know not, madam: Yes, madam, he was. Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected; 'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, To have the waste and spoil of his revenues. I have this present evening from my sister Been well inform'd of them; and with such cautions, That, if they come to sojourn at my house, I'll not be there. Corn. Nor I, assure thee, Regan. Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father A child-like office. 1 Edm. of my land, 'Twas my duty, sir. To make thee capable.] i. e. capable of succeeding to my land. Glo. He did bewray his practice'; and receiv'd This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. Corn. Is he pursued? Glo. Ay, my good lord, he is. Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, Edm. Truly, however else. Glo. I shall serve you, sir, For him I thank your grace. Corn. You know not why we came to visit you,— Wherein we must have use of your advice:- Of differences, which I best thought it fit To answer from our home; the several messengers Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow Your needful counsel to our business, Which craves the instant use. Glo. Your graces are right welcome. I serve you, madam : [Exeunt. 2 He did bewray his practice ;] i. e. Discover, betray. Practice is always used by Shakspeare for insidious mischief. 3 of some poize,] i. e. of some weight or moment. -from our home;] Not at home, elsewhere. |