Gon. That were the most, if he should husband you. Reg. Jesters do oft prove prophets. Gon. Gon. 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. you will marry, make your love to me, If 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, 7 Alluding to the proverb: "Love being jealous makes a good eye look a-squint." 8 The hindrance. Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Reg. Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. Sick, O, sick! [Aside. Edm. There's my exchange: [throwing down a Glove.] what in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies: Alb. A herald, ho! Edm. A herald, ho, a herald ! Alb. Trust to thy single virtue9; 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. [Exit REGAN, led. Come hither, herald. —Let the trumpet sound, And read out this. Off. Sound, trumpet. Herald reads. [A Trumpet sounds. 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. Edm. Sound. Her. Again. 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: Yet am I noble, as the adversary I come to cope withal. Alb. Which is that adversary? Edg. What's he, that speaks for Edmund earl of Gloster? Edm. Himself; — What say'st thou to him? Edg Draw thy sword; That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, My oath, and my profession: I protest,Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence, Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune, Thy valour, and thy heart,-thou art a traitor : False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father; Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince; And, from the extremest upward of thy head, To the descent and dust beneath thy feet, A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, No, This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak, Thou liest. Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name;2 But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, 1 Notwithstanding. 2 Because if his adversary was not of equal rank, Edmund might have declined the combat. And that thy tongue some 'says of breeding breathes, Alb. O save him, save him! Gon. This is mere practice, Gloster: By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd But cozen'd and beguil❜d. Alb.. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it :-Hold, sir :Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil :No tearing, lady; I perceive, you know it. [Gives the Letter to EDMUND. Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine: Who shall arraign me for't? Most monstrous ! Ask me not what I know. [Exit GONERIL. Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. [To an Officer, who goes out. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that have I 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, I do forgive thee. Edg. Let's exchange charity. I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; The dark and vicious place where thee he got, Edm. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; The wheel is come full circle; I am here. Alb. Methought, thy very gait did prophecy A royal nobleness: I must embrace thee; Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I Did hate thee, or thy father! Alb. Worthy prince, Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? Edg. By nursing them, my lord-List a brief tale; And, when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst! That follow'd me so near, (O our lives' sweetness! 5 Hear. |