Glo. Where is the villain, Edmund ? Edm. Fled this way, sir. he could When by no means Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after.-[Exit Serv.] By no means,-what? Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; But that I told him, the revenging gods 'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend; To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion, Glo. Let him fly far: -The noble duke my Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; master, My worthy arch2 and patron, comes to-night: That he, which finds him, shall deserve our thanks, Edm. When I dissuaded him from his intent, Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny (As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce My very character,5) I'd turn it all (1) Frighted. (2) Chief. (3) Pitched, fixed. (5) Hand-writing To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: Glo. Strong and fasten'd villain ! Would he deny his letter?-I never got him. [Trumpets within. Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes: All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape; Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants. Corn. How now, my noble friend? since I came hither, (Which I can call but now,) I have heard strange news. Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short, Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord? Glo. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd! Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life? He whom my father nam'd? your Edgar? Glo. O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid! Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father? Glo. It is too bad, too bad. Edm. I know not, madam : Yes, madam, he was. Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected; 'Tis they have put him on the old man's death, (1) i. e. Capable of succeeding to my land. To have the waste and spoil of his revenues. I'll not be there. Corn. Nor I, assure thee, Regan. Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father. A child-like office. Edm. 'Twas my duty, sir. Glo. He did bewray! his practice;2 and receiv'd This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. Corn. Is he pursued? Glo. Ay, my good lord, he is. Corn. 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 you, Edmund, Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant So much commend itself, you shall be ours; Natures of such deep trust we shall much need; You we first seize on. Edm. Truly, however else. I shall serve you, sir, Glo. For him I thank your grace. Corn. You know not why we came to visit you,Reg. Thus out of season; threading dark-ey'd night. Occasions, noble Gloster, of some poize,3 Of differences, which I best thought it fit To answer from our home; the several messengers From hence attend despatch. Our good old friend, Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow Your needful counsel to our business, Which craves the instant use. Glo. Your graces are right welcome. I serve you, madam : [Exeunt. (1) Betray. (3) Weight. (2) Wicked purpose. SCENE 11.-Before Gloster's castle. Enter Kent and Steward, severally. Stew. Good dawning to thee, friend: Art of the house? Kent. Ay. Stew. Where may we set our horses? Stew. Pr'ythee, if thou love me, tell me. Stew. Why, then I care not for thee. Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I would make thee care for me. Stew. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. Kent. Fellow, I know thee. Stew. What dost thou know me for? Kent. A knave; a rascal, an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, threesuited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted-stocking knave; a lily-liver'd, action-taking knave; a whoreson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that wouldest be a bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pander, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny'st the least syllable of thy addition. Stew. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one, that is neither known of thee, nor knows thee! Kent. What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou know'st me! Is it two days ago, since I tripped up thy heels, and beat thee before the king? Draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, the moon shines; I'll make a sop o'the moonshine of you: Draw, you whoreson cullionly barbermonger, draw. [Drawing his sword. (1) Titles. Stew. Away; I have nothing to do with thee. Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the king; and take Vanity! the puppet's part, against the royalty of her father: Draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbonado your shanks :-draw, you rascal; come your ways. Stew. Help, ho! murder! help! Kent. Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you neat slave, strike. [Beating him. Stew. Help, ho! murder! murder ! Enter Edmund, Cornwall, Regan, Gloster, and Servants. Edm. How now? what's the matter? Part. Kent. With you, goodman boy, if you please; come, I'll flesh you; come on, young master. Glo. Weapons! arms! What's the matter here? Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives; He dies that strikes again: What is the matter? Reg. The messengers from our sister and the king. Corn. What is your difference? speak. Stew. I am scarce in breath, my lord. Kent. No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour. You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee. Corn. Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man? Kent. Ay, a tailor, sir; a stone-cutter, or a painter, could not have made him so ill, though they had been but two hours at the trade. Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel? Stew. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have spar'd, At suit of his grey beard, Kent. Thou whoreson zed! thou unnecessary letter!-My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unbolted2 villain into mortar, and daub (1) A character in the old moralities. |