Act 2 — Scene I. The Earl of Gloucester's castle.

Edm. Save thee, Curan.[3062] Cur. And you, sir. I have been with your father, and[3063][3064] given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his[3063][3065] duchess will be here with him this night.[3063][3066] Edm. How comes that?[3062] 5 Cur. Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad, I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but[3067] ear-kissing arguments?[3068] Edm. Not I: pray you, what are they?[3069] Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt[3070][3071][3072] 10 the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?[3070][3071][3073] Edm. Not a word.[3070] Cur. You may do then in time. Fare you well, sir. [Exit.[3074] Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better! best![3075][3076][3077] This weaves itself perforce into my business.[3076] 15 My father hath set guard to take my brother;[3076] And I have one thing, of a queasy question,[3076][3078] Which I must act: briefness and fortune, work![3076][3079] Brother, a word; descend: brother, I say![3076]

My father watches: O sir, fly this place;[3076][3081] 20 Intelligence is given where you are hid;[3076] You have now the good advantage of the night:[3076][3082] Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall?[3076][3083] He's coming hither, now, i' the night, i' the haste,[3076][3084] And Regan with him: have you nothing said[3076] 25 Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?[3076][3085] Advise yourself.[3076][3086] Edg. I am sure on't, not a word.[3076] Edm. I hear my father coming: pardon me:[3076][3087] In cunning I must draw my sword upon you:[3076][3087] Draw: seem to defend yourself: now quit you well.[3076][3088] 30 Yield: come before my father. Light, ho, here![3076][3089] Fly, brother. Torches, torches! So farewell.

Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion

Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards[3076][3092] Do more than this in sport. Father, father![3076][3093] 35 Stop, stop! No help?[3076]

Glou. Now, Edmund, where's the villain?[3076][3095] Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,[3076] Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon[3076][3096] To stand 's auspicious mistress.[3076] Glou. But where is he?[3076] 40 Edm. Look, sir, I bleed.[3076] Glou. Where is the villain, Edmund?[3076][3097] Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could—[3076][3098] Glou. Pursue him, ho!—Go after. [Exeunt some Servants.] 'By no means' what?[3076][3099] Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship;[3076] But that I told him the revenging gods[3076][3100] 45 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend,[3076][3101] Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond[3076] The child was bound to the father; sir, in fine,[3076][3102] Seeing how loathly opposite I stood[3076] To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion[3076][3103] 50 With his prepared sword he charges home[3076] My unprovided body, lanced mine arm:[3076][3104] But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits[3076][3105] Bold in the quarrel's right, roused to the encounter,[3076][3106] Or whether gasted by the noise I made,[3076][3107] 55 Full suddenly he fled.[3076][3108] Glou. Let him fly far:[3076] Not in this land shall he remain uncaught;[3076] And found—dispatch. The noble duke my master,[3076][3109] My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night:[3076][3110] By his authority I will proclaim it,[3076] 60 That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks,[3076][3111] Bringing the murderous caitiff to the stake;[3076][3112] He that conceals him, death.[3076][3113] Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent[3076] And found him pight to do it, with curst speech[3076] 65 I threaten'd to discover him: he replied,[3076] 'Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think,[3076] If I would stand against thee, could the reposure[3076][3114][3115] Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee[3076][3114] Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny—[3076][3114][3116] 70 As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce[3076][3117] My very character—I'ld turn it all[3076][3118] To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice:[3076][3119] And thou must make a dullard of the world,[3076][3120] If they not thought the profits of my death[3076] 75 Were very pregnant and potential spurs[3076][3121] To make thee seek it.'[3076] Glou. Strong and fasten'd villain![3076][3122] Would he deny his letter? I never got him.[3076][3123]

Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes.[3076][3124] All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape;[3076] 80 The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture[3076] I will send far and near, that all the kingdom[3076] May have due note of him; and of my land,[3076][3125] Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means[3076] To make thee capable.[3076] 85

Corn. How now, my noble friend! since I came hither,[3076][3127] Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news.[3076][3128] Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short[3076] Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord?[3076][3129] Glou. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd![3076][3130] 90 Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life?[3076] He whom my father named? your Edgar?[3076][3131] Glou. O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid![3076][3132] Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous knights[3076][3133] That tend upon my father?[3076][3134] 95 Glou. I know not, madam: 'tis too bad, too bad.[3076][3135] Edm. Yes, madam, he was of that consort.[3076][3136] Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected: 'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, To have the waste and spoil of his revenues.[3137] 100 I have this present evening from my sister Been well inform'd of them, and with such cautions That if they come to sojourn at my house,[3138] I'll not be there.[3138] Corn. Nor I, assure thee, Regan.[3139][3140] Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father[3139][3141] 105 A child-like office.[3139] Edm. 'Twas my duty, sir.[3142] Glou. He did bewray his practice, and received[3143] This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. Corn. Is he pursued? Glou. Ay, my good lord.[3144] Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more[3145] 110 Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose,[3145] How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund,[3145][3146] Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant[3145][3147] So much commend itself, you shall be ours:[3145][3148] Natures of such deep trust we shall much need:[3145][3149] 115 You we first seize on.[3145][3149] Edm. I shall serve you, sir,[3150][3151] Truly, however else.[3150] Glou. For him I thank your grace.[3152] Corn. You know not why we came to visit you,—[3153] Reg. Thus out of season, threading dark-eyed night:[3154] Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise,[3155] 120 Wherein we must have use of your advice:[3156] Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister, Of differences, which I least thought it fit[3157] To answer from our home; the several messengers[3158] From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend, 125 Lay comforts to your bosom and bestow[3159] Your needful counsel to our business,[3159][3160] Which craves the instant use.[3159][3161] Glou. I serve you, madam:[3162] Your graces are right welcome. [Flourish. Exeunt.[3162][3163]