SCENE IX.
To him, Enter Edgar.
Bast.
Pat!—he comes like the catastrophe of the old comedy;
my cue is villainous Melancholy, with a sigh like † noteTom
o'Bedlam—O these eclipses portend these divisions! fa, sol, la, me—
Edg.
How now, brother Edmund, what serious contemplation
are you in?
Bast.
I am thinking, brother, of a prediction I read this other
day, what should follow these eclipses.
Edg.
Do you busie your self with that?
-- 16 --
Bast.
I promise you the effects he writes of, succeed unhappily.
When saw you my father last?
Edg.
The night gone by.
Bast.
Spake you with him?
Edg.
Ay, two hours together.
Bast.
Parted you in good terms, found you no displeasure
in him, by word or countenance?
Edg.
None at all.
Bast.
Bethink your self 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, that with the mischief of your person it would
scarcely allay.
Edg.
Some villain hath done me wrong.
Bast.
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!
Bast.
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?
[Exit.
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].