The British Camp near Dover. | |
| |
Enter, with drum and colours, EDMUND, REGAN, Officers, Soldiers, and Others. | |
| Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold, | |
| Or whether since he is advis’d by aught | 4 |
| To change the course; he’s full of alteration | |
| And self-reproving; bring his constant pleasure. [To an Officer, who goes out. | |
| Reg. Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried. | |
| Edm. ’Tis to be doubted, madam. | 8 |
| Reg. Now, sweet lord, | |
| You know the goodness I intend upon you: | |
| Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth, | |
| Do you not love my sister? | 12 |
| Edm. In honour’d love. | |
| Reg. But have you never found my brother’s way | |
| To the forefended place? | |
| Edm. That thought abuses you. | 16 |
| Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct | |
| And bosom’d with her, as far as we call hers. | |
| Edm. No, by mine honour, madam. | |
| Reg. I never shall endure her: dear my lord, | 20 |
| Be not familiar with her. | |
| Edm. Fear me not. | |
| She and the duke her husband! | |
| |
Enter with drums and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers. | 24 |
| Gon. [Aside.] I had rather lose the battle than that sister | |
| Should loosen him and me. | |
| Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met. | |
| Sir, this I heard, the king is come to his daughter, | 28 |
| With others; whom the rigour of our state | |
| Forc’d to cry out. Where I could not be honest | |
| I never yet was valiant: for this business, | |
| It toucheth us, as France invades our land, | 32 |
| Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear, | |
| Most just and heavy causes make oppose. | |
| Edm. Sir, you speak nobly. | |
| Reg. Why is this reason’d? | 36 |
| Gon. Combine together ’gainst the enemy; | |
| For these domestic and particular broils | |
| Are not the question here. | |
| Alb. Let’s then determine | 40 |
| With the ancient of war on our proceeding. | |
| Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent. | |
| Reg. Sister, you’ll go with us? | |
| Gon. No. | 44 |
| Reg. ’Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. | |
| Gon. [Aside.] O, ho! I know the riddle. [Aloud.] I will go. | |
| |
Enter EDGAR, disguised. | |
| Edg. If e’er your Grace had speech with man so poor, | 48 |
| Hear me one word. | |
| Alb. I’ll overtake you. Speak. [Exeunt EDMUND, REGAN, GONERIL, Officers, Soldiers, and Attendants. | |
| Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. | |
| If you have victory, let the trumpet sound | 52 |
| For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, | |
| I can produce a champion that will prove | |
| What is avouched there. If you miscarry, | |
| Your business of the world hath so an end, | 56 |
| And machination ceases. Fortune love you! | |
| Alb. Stay till I have read the letter. | |
| Edg. I was forbid it. | |
| When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, | 60 |
| And I’ll appear again. | |
| Alb. Why, fare thee well: I will o’erlook thy paper. [Exit EDGAR. | |
| |
Re-enter EDMUND. | |
| Edm. The enemy’s in view; draw up your powers. | 64 |
| Here is the guess of their true strength and forces | |
| By diligent discovery; but your haste | |
| Is now urg’d on you. | |
| Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit. | 68 |
| Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love; | |
| Each jealous of the other, as the stung | |
| Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? | |
| Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy’d | 72 |
| If both remain alive: to take the widow | |
| Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; | |
| And hardly shall I carry out my side, | |
| Her husband being alive. Now then, we’ll use | 76 |
| His countenance for the battle; which being done | |
| Let her who would be rid of him devise | |
| His speedy taking off. As for the mercy | |
| Which he intends to Lear, and to Cordelia, | 80 |
| The battle done, and they within our power, | |
| Shall never see his pardon; for my state | |
| Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit. | |