Come hither, herald. Let the trumpet sound,
And read out this. [A trumpet sounds.

Herald reads.

If any man of Quality, or Degree, within the lists of the army, will maintain upon Edmund supposed Earl of Glo'ster, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear

by the third sound of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence.

Her.
Again. 2 trumpet.

Her.
Again. 3 trumpet. [Trumpet answers, within. Enter Edgar, armed.

Alb.
Ask him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this Call o'th' 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;
Yet am I noble, as the Adversary
I come to cope.

Alb.
Which is that Adversary?

Edg.
What's he, that speaks for Edmund Earl of Glo'ster?

Edm.
Himself. What say'st thou to him?

Edg.
Draw thy Sword,
That if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice; here is mine,
^{8 note}

Maugre thy strength, place, youth, and eminence,
Spite of thy victor-sword, and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour, and thy heart, thou art a traitor;
False to thy Gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious Prince,
And from th' extreamest upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, no;
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent
To prove upon thy heart whereto I speak,
Thou liest.

Edm.
In Wisdom I should ask thy name;
But since thy out-side looks so fair and warlike,
^{9 note}And that thy tongue some 'Say of Breeding breathes;
What safe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of Knight-hood, I disdain and spurn.
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head,
With the hell-hated lye o'erwhelm thy heart;
Which, for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
Where thou shalt rest for ever. Trumpets, speak. [Alarm. Fight.

^{1 note}

Gon.
This is Practice, Glo'ster.
By th' law of war, thou wast not bound to answer
An unknown opposite; thou art not vanquish'd,
But cozen'd and beguil'd.

Alb.
Shut your mouth, Dame,
Or with this paper shall I stop it. Hold, Sir,

Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil.
—No tearing.—Lady, I perceive, you know it. [Gives the letter to Edmund.

Gon.
Say, if I do; the Laws are mine, not thine;
Who can arraign me for't?

Alb.
^{2 note}
Monster, know'st thou this paper?

Gon.
Ask me not, what I know— [Exit Gon.

Alb.
Go after her. She's desperate, govern her.

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