Enter EDGAR. My father watches :-O sir, fly this place; You have now the good advantage of the night :- 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 Do more than this in sport.-Father! father! Stop, stop! No help? 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. But where is he? Edm. Look, sir, I bleed. Glo. Where is the villain, Edmund? Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after.-[Exit Servants.] 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, Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to the encounter, Glo. Let him fly far: Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; And found-Despatch.-The noble duke my master, My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night: By his authority I will proclaim it, 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 produce 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; The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture 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. I know not, madam : It is too bad, too bad.— Edm. 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 Edm. 'Twas my duty, sir. 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. 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. I shall serve you, sir, Truly, however else. 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, Wherein we must have use of your advice:- Of differences, which I best thought it fit To answer from our home; the several messengers From hence attend despatch. Our good old friend, Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow Your needful counsel to our business, Which craves the instant use. Glo. I serve you, madam : Your graces are right welcome. SCENE II.-Before GLOSTER's Castle. Enter KENT and Steward, severally. [Exeunt. Stew. Good dawning to thee, friend: Art of the house? Kent. Ay. Stew. Where may we set our horses? Kent. I'the mire. Stew. Pr'ythee, if thou love me, tell me. Kent. I love thee not. Stew. Why, then I care not for thee. Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me. Stew. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. Kent. Fellow, I know thee. Stew. What dost thou know me for? Kent. A knave; a rascal, an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundredpound, filthy worsted-stocking knave; a lily-liver'd, action-taking knave; a whorson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldest be a bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrelbitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition. |