Corn.

Post speedily to my lord your husband; show him this letter:—the army of France is landed:—Seek out the villain Gloster.

Reg.

Hang him instantly.

Gon.

Pluck out his eyes.

Corn.

Leave him to my displeasure.—Edmund, keep you our sister company; the revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father, are not fit for your beholding. Advise the duke, where you are going, to a most festinate preparation^{8 note}; we are bound to the like. Our posts shall be swift, and intelligent betwixt us^{9 note}

Enter Steward.

How now? Where's the king?

Stew.
My lord of Gloster hath convey'd him hence:
Some five or six and thirty of his knights,
Hot questrists after him^{2 note}, met him at gate;
Who, with some other of the lord's dependants,
Are gone with him towards Dover: where they boast
To have well-armed friends.

Corn.
Get horses for your mistress.

Gon.
Farewell, sweet lord, and sister. [Exeunt Goneril and Edmund.

Corn.
Edmund, farewell.—Go, seek the traitor Gloster,
Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us: [Exeunt other Servants.
Though well we may not pass upon his life
Without the form of justice; yet our power
Shall do a courtesy to our wrath^{3 note}

May blame, but not control. Who's there? The traitor? Re-enter Servants, with Gloster.

Reg.
Ingrateful fox! 'tis he.

Corn.
Bind fast his corky arms^{4 note}

Glo.
What mean your graces?—Good my friends, consider
You are my guests: do me no foul play, friends.

Corn.
Bind him, I say. [Servants bind him.

Reg.
Hard, hard:—O filthy traitor!

Glo.
Unmerciful lady as you are, I am none^{5 note}.

Corn.
To this chair bind him:—Villain, thou shalt find— [Regan plucks his Beard.

Glo.
By the kind gods^{6 note}

Reg.
So white, and such a traitor!

Glo.
Naughty lady,
These hairs, which thou dost ravish from my chin,
Will quicken^{7 note}, and accuse thee: I am your host;
With robbers' hands, my hospitable favours^{8 note}

Corn.
Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?

Reg.
Be simple-answer'd^{9 note}, for we know the truth.

Corn.
And what confederacy have you with the traitors
Late footed in the kingdom?

Reg.
To whose hands have you sent the lunatick king,
Speak.

Glo.
I have a letter guessingly set down,
Which came from one that's of a neutral heart,
And not from one oppos'd.

Corn.
Cunning.

Reg.
And false.

Corn.
Where hast thou sent the king?

Glo.
To Dover.

Reg.
Wherefore

To Dover? Wast thou not charg'd at peril^{1 note}—

Corn.
Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that.

Glo.
I am tied to the stake^{2 note}

, and I must stand the course^{3 note}.

Reg.
Wherefore to Dover?

Glo.
Because I would not see thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes; nor thy fierce sister
In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs^{4 note}

All cruels else subscrib'd^{7 note}:—But I shall see
The winged vengeance overtake such children.

Corn.
See it shalt thou never:—Fellows, hold the chair:—
Upon these eyes^{8 note}