Herald reads. F any man of quality, or degree, within the lifts of the army, will maintain upon Edmund fuppofed Earl of Glo'fter, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third found of the trumpet: he is bold "in bis defence. Her. Again. I trumpet. 2 trumpet. Her. Again. 3 trumpet. [Trumpet answers, within. Enter Edgar, armed. Alb. Afk him his purposes, why he appears Upon this call o' th' trumpet. Her. What are you? Your name, your quality, and why you answer Edg. Know, my name is loft; By treafon's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit; I come to cope. Alb. Which is that adverfary? Edg. What's he, that fpeaks for Edmund Earl of Glo'fter? Edm. Himfelf; what say'ft thou to him? Edg. Draw thy fword, That if my fpeech offend a noble heart, Thy arm may do thee juftice; here is mine: Edm. In wifdom I should ask thy name; But But fince thy out-fide looks fo fair and warlike, By rule of knighthood, I difdain and spurn: Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper fhall I ftop it; Thou worse than any thing, read thine own evil : Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine; Alb. Monfter, know'st thou this paper? Gon. Ask me not, what I know [Exit Gon Alb. Go after her, fhe's defperate, govern her. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that I have done,. And more, much more; the time will bring it out. 'Tis paft, and fo am I: but what art thou, That haft this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble, I do forgive thee. Edg. Let's exchange charity :: I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund ;; The gods are juft, and of our pleasant vices (60) Alb. Save him, fave him. Gon. This is practice, Glo'fter:] Thus all the copies have diftin guifh'd these speeches: but I have ventur'd to place the two hemiftichs to Gonerill. "Tis abfurd, that Albany, who knew Edmunds: treafons, and his own wife's paffion for him, should be folicitous to have his life fav'd.. The The dark and vicious place, where thee he got, Edm. Thou'ft fpoken right, 'tis true, Edg. Worthy prince, I know't. Alb. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your. father? That follow'd me fo near, (O our lives fweetness ! : Baft. This fpeech of yours hath mov'd me; Alb. If there be more, more woeful, hold it in, . Hearing of this. 4 Edg. This would have feem'd a period, (61) Το (61) Edg. This would have feem'd a period, &c.] This fine and reeffary defcription 1 have thought fit to restore from the old 4to; as it To fuch as love not forrow: but another, To amplify too much, would make much more, Whilft I was big in clamour, came there a man, Shun'd my abhorr'd fociety; but now finding Alb. But who was this? Edg. Kent, Sir; the banish'd Kent, who in disguife Follow'd his enemy King, and did him service Improper for a flave. Enter a Gentleman. Gent. Help, Help! Edg. What kind of help? Alb. Speak, man. Edg. What means this bloody knife? Gent. 'Tis hot, it fmoaks; it came even from the heart OfO! fhe's dead. Alb. Who's dead? fpeak, man. Gent. Your Lady, Sir, your Lady; and her fifter By her is poison'd; the confeffes it, it artfully opens to Albany the concealment of Kent at home, during his banishment; and gives a beautiful picture of the emotions tha good old man felt for the death of his friend Glofter, and the piety of Edgar towards his diftreft father. Edmund had taken notice, that Edgar feem'd to have fomething more to fay; but Albany was already fo touch'd with compaffion, that he was for hearing of no more forrow. From the different behaviour of these two different characters, with how exquifite a reflection, drawn from the very fountain of nature, has our poet furnish'd his introduction to Edgar's fecond narrative! As the paffage firft was left out by the players, in their edition; we are not to doubt, but it was one of their judicious retrenchments. However that be, fome readers, I am perfuaded, will owe me their thanks for retrieving it to the author. Edm 1 Edm. I was contracted to them both; all three Now marry in an instant. Edg. Here comes Kent. Enter Kent. Alb. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead. This judgment of the heav'ns, that makes us tremble, Kent. I am come To bid my King and mafter aye good night; Alb. Great thing of us forgot! Speak, Edmund, where's the King? and where's Cordelia? See'st thou this object, Kent ? Kent. Alack, why thus? 1 Edm. Yet Edmund was belov'd: The one the other poifon'd for my fake, And after flew herself. Alb. Even fo; cover their faces. Edm. I pant for life; fome good I mean to do, Delpight of mine own nature. Quickly send, (Be brief) into the caftle; for my writ Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia: Nay, fend in time. Alb. Run, run, O run Edg. To whom, my Lord? who has the office? Send thy token of reprieve. Edm. Well thought on, take my fword, Give it the Captain Edg. Hafte thee for thy life. [Exit Meffenger. Edm. He hath commiffion from thy wife and me To hang Cordelia in the prifon, and To lay the blame upon her own despair. Alb. The gods defend her! bear him hence awhile. [Edmund is borne off. Enter |