University of Virginia Library

SCENE, a Castle belonging to the Earl of Gloster.
Enter Edmund and Curan, severally.
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 dutches, will be here with him,
this night.

Edm.

How comes that?

Cur.

Nay, I know not. You have heard of the
news abroad: I mean the whisper'd 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 do, 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 queasy question,
Which I must act. Briefness and fortune, work!
Brother, a word—Descend—Brother, I say.
To him enter Edgar.
My father watches. O sir, fly this place!
Intelligence is giv'n where you are hid;
You've now the good advantage of the night—
Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall?
He's coming hither, now i'th' night, i'th haste,
And Regan with him. Have you nothing said
Upon his party, 'gainst the Duke of Albany?
Advise yourself.

Edg.
I'm 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 hoa, here!
Fly, brother—Torches!—so, farewel.
[Exit Edgar.
Some blood drawn on me, would beget opinion
[Wounds his arm.
Of my more fierce endeavour. I've seen drunkards
Do more than this, in sport. Father! father!
Stop, stop. Ho, help!

To him 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, conj'ring the moon,
To stand's 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. 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 thunder bend;
Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond
The child was bound to th' father.—Sir, in fine,
Seeing how loathly opposite I stood
To his unnat'ral purpose, in fell motion,
With his prepared sword, he charges home
My unprovided body; lanc'd my arm;
And, when he saw my best alarmed spirits,
Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to th' encounter,
Or whether gasted by the noise I made,
Full suddenly he fled.

Glo.
Let him fly far;
Not in this land shall he remain uncaught,
And found; dispatch—The noble duke, my master,
My worthy and arch patron, comes, to-night;
By his authority I will proclaim it,
That he which finds him, shall deserve our thanks,
Bringing the murth'rous coward to the stake:
He that conceals him, death: and of my land,
(Loyal and natural boy!) I'll work the means
To make thee capable.

[Exeunt.