Act 3 — Scene VII. Gloucester's castle.

Corn. Post speedily to my lord your husband; show[3905] him this letter: the army of France is landed. Seek out the[3905] traitor Gloucester. [Exeunt some of the Servants.[3905][3906] Reg. Hang him instantly. Gon. Pluck out his eyes. 5 Corn. Leave him to my displeasure. Edmund, keep[3907][3908] you our sister company: the revenges we are bound to take[3907][3909] upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding.[3907] Advise the duke, where you are going, to a most festinate[3907][3910] preparation: we are bound to the like. Our posts shall be[3907][3911][3912] 10 swift and intelligent betwixt us. Farewell, dear sister:[3911][3913] farewell, my lord of Gloucester.[3911]

How now! where's the king? Osw. My lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence: Some five or six and thirty of his knights,[3915] 15 Hot questrists after him, met him at gate;[3915][3916] Who, with some other of the lords dependants,[3915][3917] Are gone with him toward Dover; where they boast[3915][3918] To have well-armed friends.[3915] Corn. Get horses for your mistress. Gon. Farewell, sweet lord, and sister. 20 Corn. Edmund, farewell.

Go seek the traitor Gloucester. Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us.

Though well we may not pass upon his life[3921] Without the form of justice, yet our power Shall do a courtesy to our wrath, which men[3922][3923] 25 May blame but not control. Who's there? the traitor?[3922]

Reg. Ingrateful fox! 'tis he. Corn. Bind fast his corky arms. Glou. What mean your graces? Good my friends, consider[3925][3926] You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends.[3925] 30 Corn. Bind him, I say. [Servants bind him.[3927] Reg. Hard, hard. O filthy traitor! Glou. Unmerciful lady as you are, I'm none.[3928] Corn. To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find—

Glou. By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done[3930] To pluck me by the beard.[3930] 35 Reg. So white, and such a traitor! Glou. Naughty lady,[3931] These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin[3931] Will quicken and accuse thee: I am your host:[3932] With robbers' hands my hospitable favours[3933] You should not ruffle thus. What will you do?[3934] 40 Corn. Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?[3935] Reg. Be simple answerer, for we know the truth.[3936] Corn. And what confederacy have you with the traitors[3937] Late footed in the kingdom?[3937][3938] Reg. To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king?[3939][3940] 45 Speak.[3939] Glou. I have a letter guessingly set down,[3941] Which came from one that's of a neutral heart And not from one opposed. Corn. Cunning. Reg. And false. Corn. Where hast thou sent the king? Glou. To Dover.[3942] 50 Reg. Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charged at peril—[3943] Corn. Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that.[3944] Glou. I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course.[3945] Reg. Wherefore to Dover, sir?[3946] Glou. Because I would not see thy cruel nails 55 Pluck out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs.[3947] The sea, with such a storm as his bare head[3948] In hell-black night endured, would have buoy'd up,[3949] And quench'd the stelled fires:[3950][3951] 60 Yet, poor old heart, he holp the heavens to rain.[3950][3952] If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that stern time,[3953] Thou shouldst have said, 'Good porter, turn the key,'[3954] All cruels else subscribed: but I shall see[3955] The winged vengeance overtake such children. 65 Corn. See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair. Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot.[3956] Glou. He that will think to live till he be old,[3957] Give me some help! O cruel! O you gods![3958] Reg. One side will mock another; the other too.[3959] 70 Corn. If you see vengeance—[3960] First Serv. Hold your hand, my lord: I have served you ever since I was a child;[3961] But better service have I never done you[3962] Than now to bid you hold.[3962] Reg. How now, you dog! First Serv. If you did wear a beard upon your chin,[3963] 75 I'ld shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean?[3963][3964] Corn. My villain! [They draw and fight.[3965] First Serv. Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger.[3966] Reg. Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus!

First Serv. O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left[3968][3969] 80 To see some mischief on him. O! [Dies.[3968][3970] Corn. Lest it see more, prevent it. Out, vile jelly![3971] Where is thy lustre now?[3972] Glou. All dark and comfortless. Where's my son Edmund?[3973] Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature,[3974][3975] 85 To quit this horrid act.[3974] Reg. Out, treacherous villain![3976][3977] Thou call'st on him that hates thee: it was he[3976] That made the overture of thy treasons to us;[3976][3978] Who is too good to pity thee.[3976] Glou. O my follies! Then Edgar was abused.[3979][3980] 90 Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him![3979] Reg. Go thrust him out at gates, and let him smell[3979][3981][3982] His way to Dover. [Exit one with Gloucester.] How is't, my lord? how look you?[3979][3981][3983] Corn. I have received a hurt: follow me, lady. Turn out that eyeless villain: throw this slave[3984] 95 Upon the dunghill. Regan, I bleed apace:[3984][3985] Untimely comes this hurt: give me your arm. [

Sec. Serv. I'll never care what wickedness I do,[3987][3988] If this man come to good.[3987] Third Serv. If she live long,[3987][3989][3990] And in the end meet the old course of death,[3987][3990] 100 Women will all turn monsters.[3987][3990] Sec. Serv. Let's follow the old earl, and get the Bedlam[3987][3991] To lead him where he would: his roguish madness[3987][3992] Allows itself to any thing.[3987] Third Serv. Go thou: I'll fetch some flax and whites of eggs[3987][3993][3994]105 To apply to his bleeding face. Now, heaven help him!