My reason all the same; and they are ready Where you shall hold your session. At this time, The question of Cordelia, and her father, Alb. Reg. Sir, by your patience, That's as we list to grace him. Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded, Gon. Not so hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, 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! Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; My lord and master. Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will. Edm. Nor in thine, lord. 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 clai:n, fair sister, I bar it in the interest of my wife; "Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord, Gon. An interlude! [sound: Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster:-Let the trumpet 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. 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! Took their discharge. Reg. Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent. This sickness grows upon me. Enter a Herald. [Exit Regan, led. [A Trumpet sounds. Herald reads. Come hither, herald,—Let the trumpet sound,- And read out this. Off. Sound, trumpet. 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. [1 Trumpet. [2 Trumpet. [3 Trumpet. [Trumpet answers within. Enter EDGAR, armed, preceded by a Trumpet. Upon this call o'the trumpet. Edg. 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, ; Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, And that thy tongue some 'say of breeding breathes, Gon. This is mere practice, Gloster: Alb. [Gives the Letter to Edmund. Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine: Who shall arraign me for't? Alb. Know'st thou this paper? 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. The dark and vicious place where thee he got, Edm. Thou hast spoken right, 'tis true; Did hate thee, or thy father! Edg. I know it well. Worthy prince, Alb. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? That follow'd me so near, (O our lives' sweetness! Edm. This speech of yours hath mov'd me, And shall, perchance, do good: but speak you on; You look as you had something more to say. Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in; For I am almost ready to dissolve, Hearing of this. Edg. This would have seem'd a period To such as love not sorrow; but another, Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man, G |