Gon. That were the most, if he fhould husband you.
Reg. Jefters do oft prove prophets.

Gon.
Holla, holla!
That eye, that told you fo, look'd but a-squint.
Reg. Lady, I am not well; elfe I fhould answer
From a full-flowing ftomach.-General,
Take thou my foldiers, prifoners, patrimony;
Difpofe of them, of me; the walls are thine:
Witnefs the world, that I create thee here
My lord and master.

Gon.

Mean you to enjoy him?
Alb. The let-alone lies not in your good will.
Edm. Nor in thine, lord.

Alb.

Half-blooded fellow, yes. Reg. Let the drum ftrike, and prove my title thine.

[To EDMUND. Alb. Stay yet; hear reafon :-Edmund, I arrest thee

On capital treason; and, in thy arrest,

This gilded ferpent: [pointing to GON.]-for your claim, fair filter,

I bar it in the interest of my wife;

'Tis fhe is fub-contracted to this lord,

And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your love to me,
My lady is befpoke.

Alb. Thou art arm'd, Glofter:-Let the trumpet found: If none appear to prove upon thy perfon,

Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,

There is my pledge; [throwing down a glove.] I'll prove

it on thy heart,

Ere I tafte bread, thou art in nothing lefs

Than I have here proclaim'd thee.

Reg.

Sick, O, fick!

Gon.

Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison.

[Afide.

Edm. There's my exchange: [throwing down a glove.]

what in the world he is

That names me traitor, villain-like he lies :
Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, (who not?) I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.

Alb. A herald, ho!

Edm.

A herald, ho, a herald!

Alb. Truft to thy fingle virtue; for thy foldiers, All levied in my name, have in my name

Took their discharge.

Reg.

This fickness grows upon me.

Enter a Herald.

Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent.

Come hither, herald,-Let the trumpet found,

[Exit REGAN, led.

And read out this.

Off. Sound, trumpet.

【A trumpet sounds.

Herald reads.

army,

If any man of quality, or degree, within the lifts of the will maintain upon Edmund, fuppofed earl of Glofter, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear at the third found of the trumpet: He is bold in his defence.

Edm. Sound.

[1. trumpet.

Her. Again.

Her. Again.

[2. trumpet.

[3. trumpet.

[Trumpet answers within.

Enter EDGAR, armed, preceded by a Trumpet.

Alb. Afk him his purposes, why he appears Upon this call o' the trumpet.

Her.

Pub May. 1798 by Edu Harding 98 Fall Mall.

Platt so

Her.

What are you?

Your name, your quality? and why you answer

This prefent fummons ?

Edg.

Know, my name is loft;

By treafon's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit:
Yet am I noble, as the adversary

I come to cope withal.

Alb.

Which is that adversary?

Edg. What's he, that fpeaks for Edmund earl of Glofter? Edm. Himself;—What say'st thou to him?

Edg.

Draw thy fword;

That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee juftice: here is mine.
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours,
My oath, and my profeffion: I proteft,-
Maugre thy ftrength, youth, place, and eminence,
Despite thy victor fword, and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour, and thy heart,-thou art a traitor :
Falfe to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Confpirant 'gainst this high illuftrious prince;
And, from the extremeft upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet,
A moft toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, No,
This fword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,

Thou lieft.

Edm.

In wifdom, I should ask thy name

But, fince thy outside looks so fair and warlike,
And that thy tongue some 'say of breeding breathes,
What fafe and nicely I might well delay

By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn:
B ck do I tofs these treasons to thy head;
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;

Which, (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruife,)