Alb.
Sir, you have shew'd to-day your valiant strain,
And fortune led you well: you have the captives
Who were the opposites of this day's strife:
I do require then of you, so to use them,
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine.

Bast.
I thought fit
To send the old and miserable King
To some retention and appointed guard;
Whose age has charms in it, whose title more,
To pluck the common bosoms on his side,
And turn our imprest launces in our eyes
Which do command them. With him I sent the Queen,
My reason all the same, and they are ready
To-morrow, or at further space, t' appear
Where you shall hold your session.

Alb.
Sir, by your patience,
I hold you but a subject of this war,
Not as a brother.

Reg.
That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our pow'rs,
Bore the commission of my place and person,

The which immediate may well stand up,
And call it self your brother.

Gon.
Not so hot:
In his own grace he doth exalt himself,
More than in your advancement.

Reg.
In my right,
By me invested, he compeers the best.

Alb.
That were the most, if he should husband you.

Reg.
Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Gon.
Holla, holla!
That eye that told you so, look'd but a-squint.

Reg.
Lady I am not well, else I should answer
From a full flowing stomach. General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony,
Dispose of them, of me, the walls are thine:
Witness the world that I create thee here
My lord and master.

Gon.
Mean you to enjoy him?

Alb.
The lett alone lyes not in your good will.

Bast.
Nor in thine, lord.

Alb.
Half-blooded fellow, yes.

Bast.
Let the drum strike, and prove my title good.

Alb.
Stay yet; hear reason: Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason, and in thy arrest,
This gilded serpent: for your claim, fair sister,
I bar it in the interest of my wife,
'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I her husband contradict your banes.
If you will marry, make your loves to me,
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.
An enterlude.

Alb.
Thou art arm'd, Glo'ster, let the trumpet sound:
If none appear to prove upon thy person

Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge: I'll prove it on thy heart
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.

Reg.
Sick, O sick—

Gon.
If not, I'll ne'er trust ^{a note}poison. [Aside.

Bast.
There's my exchange, what in the world he is
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies;
Call by the trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, who not? I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly. Enter a Herald.

Alb.
A herald, ho.
Trust to thy single virtues, for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.

Reg.
My sickness grows upon me.

Alb.
She is not well, convey her to my tent. [Exit Reg.

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