Alb. A herald, ho! Edm. A herald, ho! a herald! Alb. Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers, All levied in my name, have in my name Took their discharge. Reg. My sickness grows upon me. Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent. [Exit REGAN, led. "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. 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 This present summons? Edg. Know, my name is lost; By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit: 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, Behold, it is my privilege, the privilege of mine honours, Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence, A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, "No," Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. Which, for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise, Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak. [Alarums. They fight. EDMUND falls. Alb. O, save him! save him! This is mere practice, Gloster. By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer Alb. Shut your mouth, dame; Or with this paper shall I stop it? Hold, Sir! [Gives the Letter to EDMUND. Gon. Say, if I do, the laws are mine, not thine: Who can arraign me for 't? Alb. Know'st thou this paper? Most monstrous! Ask me not what I know. [Exit GONERIL. [Exit an Officer. Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. Edm. What you have charg'd me with, that have I done, And more, the time will bring it out: But what art thou, That hast this fortune on me? If thou 'rt noble, 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, 't is true; The wheel is come full circle: I am here. Alb. Methought, thy very gait did prophesy A royal nobleness. I must embrace thee: Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I Did hate thee, or thy father. Edg. Worthy prince, I know 't. Alb. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? Edg. By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale; That follow'd me so near, (0, our lives' sweetness! Into a madman's rags, t' assume a semblance That very dogs disdain'd; and in this habit Their precious stones new lost: became his guide, 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 Whilst I was big in clamour, came there a man, Alb. But who was this? Edg. Kent, Sir, the banish'd Kent; who in disguise Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service Improper for a slave. Enter a Gentleman hastily, with a bloody Knife. Gent. Help, help! O help! Edg. What kind of help? Alb. Speak, man. 'Tis hot, it smokes; Edg. What means that bloody knife? It came even from the heart of O! she's dead: Alb. Who dead? speak, man. Gent. Your lady, Sir, your lady: and her sister By her is poison'd; she hath confess'd it. Edm. I was contracted to them both: all three Now marry in an instant. Alb. Produce the bodies, be they alive or dead! This judgment of the heavens, that makes us tremble, Touches us not with pity. [Exit Gentleman. Speak, Edmund, where's the king? and where 's Cordelia?· [The Bodies of GONERIL and REGAN are brought in. Kent. Alack! why thus? |