Edm.

Save thee, Curan.

Cur.

And you, sir. I have been with your father; and given him notice, that the duke of Cornwal, and Regan ^note his dutchess, will be here with him to-night. ^note

Edm.

How comes that?

Cur.

Nay, I know not: You have heard of the news abroad; I mean, the whisper'd ones, for they are ^note yet but ear-kissing ^note arguments?

Edm.

Not I; Pray you, what are they?

Cur.

Have you heard of no likely wars toward, ^note 'twixt the dukes ^note of Cornwal and Albany?

Edm.

Not a word.

Cur.

You may do ^note then, in time. Fare you well, sir.

Edm.
The duke be here to-night? The better! Best!
This weaves itself perforce into my business!
My father hath set guard to take my brother;
And I have one thing, of a queazy question,
Which I must act:—Briefness, and fortune, ^note work!—
Brother, a word, descend; brother, I say; Enter Edgar.
My father watches:—O sir, ^note fly this place;
Intelligence is given where you are hid;
You have now the good advantage of the night:—
Have you not spoken 'gainst ^note the duke of Cornwal? ^note
He's coming hither; now, i'the night, i'the haste,
And Regan with him; Have you nothing said14Q1332
Upon his party 'gainst the duke of Albany?
Advise yourself. ^note

Edg.
I am sure on't, not a word.

Edm.
I hear my father coming,—Pardon me;
In cunning, I ^note must draw my sword upon you:
Draw; ^note Seem to defend yourself: Now quit you well.
Yield; come before my father;—Light, ho, here! ^note—
Fly, brother; ^note torches, ^note torches:—[Exit Edg.] so, farewel.
Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion

Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards
Do more than this † in sport.—Why, father, father!
Stop, stop! No help? Enter Gloster, and Servants with Torches.

Glo.
Now, Edmund, where's ^note the villain?

Edm.
Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,
Mumbling of ^note wicked charms, conjuring the moon
To stand ^note his ^note auspicious mistress:—

Glo.
But where is he?

Edm.
Look, sir, I bleed.

Glo.
Where is the villain, Edmund?

Edm.
Fled this † way, sir. When by no means he could—

Glo.
Pursue him, ho; ^note go after.—[Exit Servant.] By no means what?

Edm.
Persuade me to the murder of your lordship;
But that I told him, the revenging gods ^note
'Gainst parricides did all their thunders ^note bend;
Spoke, with how manifold and strong a bond
The child was bound to the father;—Sir, in fine, ^note
Seeing how lothly opposite I stood
To his unnatural purpose, in fell ^note motion,
With his prepared sword, he charges home
My unprovided body, lanc'd ^{note note} mine ^note arm:
But when ^note he saw my best alarum'd spirits,
Bold in the quarrel's right, ^note rouz'd to the encounter;
Or whether 'gasted by the noise I made,—
But suddenly ^note he fled.

Glo.
Let him fly far;
Not in this land shall he remain uncaught;
And, found, dispatch'd:14Q1333 The ^note noble duke my master,
My worthy arch and patron ^note, comes to-night:
By his authority I will proclaim it,

That he, which finds ^note him, shall deserve our thanks,
Bringing the murderous coward to ^note the stake;
He, that conceals him, death.

Edm.
When I dissuaded him from his intent,
And found him pight to do it, with curst speech
I threaten'd to discover him: He reply'd,
Thou unpossessing bastard, dost thou think,
If I would stand against thee, could the reposure ^note
Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee
Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should ^note deny,
(As this I would; ay, ^note though thou didst produce
My very character) would turn ^note it all
To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: ^note
And thou must make a dullard of the world,
If they not thought the profits of my death
Were very pregnant and potential spurs ^note
To make thee seek it.

Glo.
Strong and fasten'd ^note villain! [Trumpets within.
Would he deny his letter, said he? ^note—I never got him. ^note—
Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he ^note comes:—
All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not scape;
The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture
I will send far and near, that all the kingdom
May have due ^note note of him: and of my land,
Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means
To make thee capable. [Flourish. Enter Cornwal, Regan, and Attendants.

Cor.
How now, my noble friend? since I came hither,
(Which I can call but now) I have heard strange news. ^note

Reg.
If it be true, all vengeance comes too short,
Which can pursue the offender. How does my ^note lord?

Glo.
O, ^note madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd! ^note

Reg.
What, did my father's godson seek your life?
He whom my father nam'd? your Edgar?

Glo.
O, lady ^note, lady, shame would have it hid!

Reg.
Was he not companion with the riotous knights
That tend ^{note note} upon my father?

Glo.
I know not, madam:
It is too bad, too bad.

Edm.
Yes, madam, he was. ^note

Reg.
No marvel then, though he were ill affected;
'Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
To have the expence and waste of his ^note revenues.
I have this present evening from my sister
Been well inform'd of them; and with such cautions,
That, if they come to sojourn at my house,
I'll not be there.

Cor.
Nor I, assure thee, Regan.—
Edmund, I hear ^note that you have shewn your father
A child-like office.

Edm.
'Twas my duty, sir.

Glo.
He did bewray ^note his practise; and receiv'd
This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him.

Cor.
Is he pursu'd?

Glo.
Ay, my good lord.

Cor.
If he be taken, he shall never more
Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose
How in my strength you please.—For ^note you, Edmund,14Q1334
Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant ^note
So much commend itself, you shall be ours;
Natures of such deep trust we shall much need;
You we first seize on.

Edm.
I shall serve you, sir, ^note
Truly, however else.

Glo.
For him I thank your grace.

Cor.
You know not why we came ^note to visit you,—

Reg.
Thus out of season; threading ^note dark-ey'd night.
Occasions, noble Gloster, of some price ^note,
Wherein we must have use of your advices: ^note
Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
Of differences, ^note which I best thought it fit
To answer from our home; ^note the several messengers
From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend,
Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow
Your needful counsel to our business, ^note
Which craves the instant use.

Glo.
I serve you, madam:
Your graces are right welcome. [Exeunt.

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