Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, queen; Which do command them. With him I sent the By those that feel their sharpness :— The question of Cordelia, and her father, Alb. Sir, by your patience, I hold you but a subject of this war, Reg. That's as we list to grace him. Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded, And call itself your brother. Gon. Not so hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, More than in your advancement. 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 From a full-flowing stomach.-General, 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, And I, her husband, contradict your bans. If you will marry, make your love to me, My lady is bespoke. Gon. An interlude! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy person, Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons, There is my pledge; [Throwing down a Glove.] I'll prove it on thy heart, 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: Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach, On him, on you, (who not?) I will maintain 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. [Exit REGAN, led. [A Trumpet sounds. [Herald reads.] 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. 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 Glos Edm. Himself;-What say'st thou to him? That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn: VOL. XIV, 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, Gloster: By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it :-Hold, sir:- : [Gives the Letter to EDMUND. Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine: Who shall arraign me for't? Alb. Most monstrous! Know'st thou this paper? Gon. Ask me not what I know. [Exit GON. Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. [To an Officer, who goes ov*. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that I have 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; |