SCENE IX.
To him, Enter Edgar.
Pat!—5 notehe comes, like the Catastrophe of the
old comedy; my cue is villainous Melancholy, with a
-- 27 --
sigh like Tom o' Bedlam—O, these eclipses portend
these divisions! fa, sol, la, me—
Edg.
How now, brother Edmund, what serious contemplation
are you in?
Edm.
I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read
this other day, what should follow these eclipses.
Edg.
Do you busy yourself with that?
Edm.
6 note
I promise you, the effects, he writes of,
succeed unhappily. When saw you my father last?
-- 28 --
Edg.
The night gone by.
Edm.
Spake you with him?
Edg.
Ay, two hours together.
Edm.
Parted you in good terms, found you no displeasure
in him, by word or countenance?
Edg.
None at all.
Edm.
Bethink yourself, wherein you have offended
him: and, at my intreaty, forbear his presence, until
some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure;
which at this instant so rageth in him, 7 notethat
with the mischief of your person it would scarcely
allay.
Edg.
Some villain hath done me wrong.
Edm.
That's my fear. I pray you, have a continent
forbearance 'till the speed of his rage goes slower; and,
as I say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence
I will fitly bring you to hear my Lord speak. Pray
you, go, there's my key. If you do stir abroad, go
arm'd.
Edg.
Arm'd, brother!
Edm.
Brother, I advise you to the best; I am no
honest man, if there be any good meaning toward
you: I have told you what I have seen and heard, but
faintly; nothing like the image and horror of it. Pray
you, away.
Edg.
Shall I hear from you anon?
-- 29 --
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
