Corn.

Post speedily to my lord your husband, shew him this letter; the army of France is landed; seek out the traitor Glo'ster.

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 traiterous father, are not fit for your beholding. Advise the Duke, where you are going, to a most festinate preparation; we are bound to the like. Our Posts shall be swift, and intelligent betwixt us. Farewel, dear sister; farewel, my lord of Glo'ster.

How now? where's the King?

Stew.
My lord of Glo'ster hath convey'd him hence.
Some five or six and thirty of his Knights,
Hot Questrists after him, met him at gate;
Who with some other of the Lords dependants,
Are gone with him tow'rd Dover; where they boast
To have well-armed friends.

Corn.
Get horses for your mistress.

Gon.
Farewel, sweet lord, and sister. [Exeunt Gon. and Edm.

Corn.
Edmund, farewel:—go seek the traitor Glo'ster;
Pinion him like a thief, bring him before us:
Though well we may not pass upon his life
Without the form of justice; yet our pow'r
Shall do a court'sie to our wrath, which men
May blame, but not controul.

Enter Glo'ster, brought in by Servants.
Who's there? the traitor?

Reg.
Ingrateful fox! 'tis he.

Corn.
Bind fast his corky arms.

Glo.
What mean your Graces? Good my Friends, consider.
You are my Guests: Do me no foul play, friends.

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

Reg.
Hard, hard: O filthy traitor!

Glo.
Unmerciful lady as you are! I'm none.

Corn.
To this chair bind him. Villain, thou shalt find—

Glo.
By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.

Reg.
So white, and such a traitor?

Glo.
Naughty lady,
These hairs, which thou dost ravish from my chin,
Will quicken and accuse thee; I'm your Host;
With robber's hands, my hospitable favours
You should not ruffle thus. What will you do?

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

Reg.
Be simple answerer, for we know the truth.

Corn.
And what confed'racy 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—

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

Glo.
I am ty'd to th' stake, and I must stand the course.

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 phangs.
The sea, with such a storm as his bare head
In hell-black night indur'd, would have buoy'd up,
And quench'd the stelled fires:(34) ^note

Corn.
See't shalt thou never. Fellows, hold the chair.
Upon these eyes of thine, I'll set my foot. [Glo'ster is held down, while Cornwall treads out one of his eyes.

Glo.
He that will think to live 'till he be old,
Give me some help.—O cruel! O you gods!

Reg.
One side will mock another; th' other too.

Corn.
If you see vengeance—

Ser.
Hold your hand, my lord:
I've serv'd you, ever since I was a child;

But better service have I never done you,
Than now to bid you hold.

Reg.
How now, you dog?

Serv.
If you did wear a beard upon your chin,
I'd shake it on this quarrel. What do you mean?

Corn.
My villain!

Serv.
Nay then come on, and take the chance of anger. [Fight; in the Scuffle Cornwall is wounded.

Reg.
Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus? [Kills him.

Ser.
Oh, I am slain—my lord, you have one eye left
To see some mischief on him. Oh— [Dies.

Corn.
Lest it see more, prevent it; out, vile gelly:
Where is thy lustre now? [Treads out the other eye.

Glo.
All dark and comfortless—where's my son Edmund?
Edmund, enkindle all the sparks of nature
To quit this horrid act.

Reg.
Out, treacherous villain.
Thou call'st on him, that hates thee: It was he,
That made the overture of thy treasons to us:
Who is too good to pity thee.

Glo.
O my follies!
Then Edgar was abus'd. Kind gods, forgive
Me that, and prosper him!

Reg.
Go thrust him out
At gates, and let him smell his way to Dover. [Ex. with Glo'ster.
How is't, my lord? how look you?

Corn.
I have receiv'd a hurt; follow me, lady.—
Turn out that eyeless villain; throw this slave
Upon the dunghil.—Regan, I bleed apace.
Untimely comes this hurt. Give me your arm. [Exit Corn. led by Regan.

1st. Serv.
I'll never care what Wickedness I do,(35) ^note
If this Man come to Good.

2d. Serv.
If She live long,
And, in the End, meet the old course of Death,
Women will all turn Monsters.

1st. Serv.
Let's follow the old Earl, and get the Bedlam
To lead him where he would; his roguish Madness
Allows itself to any Thing.

2d. Serv.
Go thou; I'll fetch some Flax and whites of Eggs
T' apply to's bleeding Face. Now, Heaven help him! [Exeunt severally.

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