R. S. E.
Cor. (R.)
I will have my revenge ere I depart his house.
Regan, see here, a plot upon our state;
[Gives her a Letter.
'Tis Gloster's character, who has betray'd
His double trust, of subject and of host.
-- 46 --
Reg.
Then double be our vengeance; this confirms
Th' intelligence that we but now receiv'd,
That he has been this night to seek the king.
But who, sir, was the kind discoverer?
Corn.
Our eagle, quick to spy, and fierce to seize
Our trusty Edmund.
Reg.
'Twas a noble service;
O, Cornwall, take him to thy deepest trust,
And wear him as a jewel at thy heart.
Edm.
Think, sir, how hard a fortune I sustain,
That makes me thus repent of serving you.
Oh, that this treason had not been, or I
Not the discoverer!
Corn.
Edmund, thou shalt find
A father in our love, and from this minute
We call thee earl of Gloster; but there yet
Remains another justice to be done,
And that's to punish the discarded traitor;
But, lest thy tender nature should relent
At his just sufferings, nor brook the sight,
We wish thee to withdraw.
Corn. (C.)
Bring in the traitor.
[Exit Edmund, R
Enter Gloster, brought in by two Servants, L.
Bind fast his arms.
Glo. (L.)
What mean your graces?
You are my guests; pray, do me no foul play.
Corn.
Bind him, [They bind him.] I say, hard, harder yet.
Reg. (L. C.)
Now, traitor, thou shalt find—
[Crosses up C.
Corn.
Speak, rebel, where hast thou sent the king?
Whom, spite of our decree, thou saved'st last night.
Glo.
I'm tied to th' stake, and I must stand the course.
Reg.
Say where, and why, thou hast conceal'd him, traitor.
[Comes down to Gloster.
Glo.
Because I would not see thy cruel hands
Tear out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister
Carve his anointed flesh; but I shall see
The swift wing'd vengeance overtake such children.
Corn.
See't thou shalt never: slaves, perform your work;
[The Servants take Gloster out, L.
Out with those treacherous eyes; dispatch, I say.
-- 47 --
Glo. [Without, L.]
He that will think to live 'till he be old,
Give me some help.—O cruel! oh, ye gods!
Edw. (R. C.)
Hold, hold, my lord. I bar your cruelty;
I cannot love your safety, and give way
To such inhuman practice.
Corn.
Ah, my villian!
Edw.
I have been your servant from my infancy;
But better service have I never done you,
Than with this boldness.
Corn.
Take thy death, slave.
[Stabs Edward, and puts up his dagger.
Edw.
Nay, then, revenge, whilst yet my blood is warm!
[Draws his sword, runs Cornwall through the body, and is
carried off by the Guard, R. Cornwall is supported by Servants.
Reg.
Help here—are you not hurt, my lord?
Glost. [Without, L.]
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 broach'd thy treason, shew'd us thy dispatches;
There—read, and save the Cambrian prince a labour.
[Throws the letter out to him, L.
Glo. [Without, L.]
O my folly!
Then Edgar was abus'd; kind gods, forgive me that!
Reg. [To Corwall.]
How is't my lord?
Corn.
Turn out that eyeless villain, let him smell
His way to Cambray;
Regan, I bleed apace; give me your arm.
[Exeunt Regan, L. Cornwall, supported by his Servants, R.
Edmund Kean [1830], King Lear. A tragedy, In Five Acts, by William Shakspeare. Printed from the acting copy, with remarks, biographical and critical, by D.—G. To which are added, description of the costume,—cast of the characters,—entrances and exits,—relative positions of the performers on the stage, and the whole of the stage business, As performed at the Theatres Royal, London. Embellished with a fine engraving, By Mr. White, from a Drawing taken in the Theatre, by Mr R. Cruikshank (John Cumberland [etc.], London) [word count] [S34400].
