Edm.
Know of the duke if his last purpose hold,
Or whether since he is advised by aught
To change the course: he's full of alteration ^note

And self-reproving ^note: bring ^note his constant pleasure. [To ^note a Gentleman, who goes out.

Reg.
Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.

Edm.
'Tis to be doubted, madam.

Reg.
Now, sweet lord,
You know the goodness I intend upon you:
Tell me, but truly, ^note but then speak the truth,
Do you not love my sister?

Edm.
In ^note honour'd love.

Reg.
But have you never found my brother's way
To the forfended place?

Edm.
That thought abuses you.

Reg.
I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers. ^{note note}

Edm.
No, by mine honour, madam ^note. ^note

Reg.
I never shall endure her: dear my lord,
Be not familiar with her. ^note

Edm.
Fear me ^note not.—
She and the duke her husband! ^{note note} Enter, with drum and colours, Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers. ^note

Gon. [Aside] ^note
I had ^note rather lose ^note the battle than that sister

Should loosen ^note him and me. ^note

Alb.
Our very loving sister, well be-met ^note.
Sir, this I hear ^note; the king is come to his daughter,
With others whom the rigour of our state
Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
I never yet was valiant: for ^note this business,
It toucheth us, as France invades our land,
Not bolds ^note the king, with others ^note, whom, I fear,
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.

Edm.
Sir, you speak nobly ^note. ^{note note}

Reg.
Why is this reason'd?

Gon.
Combine together 'gainst the enemy;
For these domestic and particular broils ^note
Are not the ^note question here.

Alb.
Let's ^note then determine
With the ancient ^note of war on our proceedings ^note. ^note

Edm.
I shall attend you presently at your tent. ^note

Reg.
Sister, you'll go with us?

Gon.
No.

Reg.
'Tis most convenient; pray you ^note, go with us.

Gon. [Aside]
O, ho, I know the riddle. ^note—I will go. As they are going out, enter Edgar disguised. ^note

Edg.
If e'er your grace had ^note speech with man ^note so poor,
Hear me one word.

Alb.
I'll overtake you. Speak. [Exeunt ^note all but Albany and Edgar.

Edg.
Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it: wretched ^note though ^note I seem,
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end,
And machination ceases. ^note Fortune love ^note you!

Alb.
Stay till I have ^note read the letter.

Edg.
I was forbid it.
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
And I'll appear again. ^note

Alb.
Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook ^note thy ^note paper. [Exit Edgar. ^note Re-enter ^note Edmund.

Edm.
The enemy's ^note in view: draw up your powers.

^note
Here ^note is the guess ^note of their true ^note strength and forces ^note
By diligent discovery; but your haste
Is now urged on you. ^note

Alb.
We will greet the time. [Exit. ^{note note}

Edm.
To both these sisters ^note have I sworn my love;
Each jealous of the other, as the stung ^note
Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
Both? one? ^note or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, ^note
If both remain alive: to take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
And hardly shall I carry out my side ^note,
Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who ^note would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking off. As for the ^note mercy
Which he intends ^note to Lear and to Cordelia,
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never ^note see his pardon; for my state
Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit.

^note

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