LEAR. Oh, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven! Keep me in temper: I would not be mad! (Enter Gentleman.) How now! are the horses ready? GENTLEMAN. Ready, my lord. LEAR. Come, boy. (Exeunt.) ACT II. SCENE I. The Earl of Gloucester's castle. Enter Edmund and Curan, meeting. EDMUND. Save thee, Curan. CURAN. And you, sir. I have been with your father, and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here with him this night. EDMUND. How comes that? CURAN. Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad, I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments? EDMUND. Not I: pray you, what are they? CURAN. Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany? EDMUND. Not a word. CURAN. You may do then in time. Fare you well, sir. (Exit.) EDMUND. The duke be here to-night? The better! best! My father watches: O sir, fly this place; You have now the good advantage of the night: EDGAR. EDMUND. I hear my father coming: pardon me: In cunning I must draw my sword upon you: (Exit Edgar.) Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion Wounds his arm.) Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards Do more than this in sport.-Father, father!Stop, stop!-No help? Enter Gloucester, & Servants with torches.) GLOUCESTER. EDMUND. Now, Edmund, where's the villain? Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out, GLOUCESTER. EDMUND. Look, sir, I bleed. GLOUCESTER. But where is he? EDMUND. Where is the villain, Edmund? Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could GLOUCESTER. Pursue him, ho!-Go after. (Exeunt some Servants.) 'By no means' what? EDMUND. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; GLOUCESTER. Let him fly far: Not in this land shall he remain uncaught; That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks, EDMUND. When I dissuaded him from his intent And found him pight to do it, with curst speech Make thy words faith'd? No: what should I deny To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice: Strong and fasten'd villain! Hark! (Tucket within.) The duke's trumpets. I know not why he comes. (Enter Cornwall, Regan, & Attendants.) CORNWALL. How now, my noble friend! since I came hither, Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news. REGAN. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord? GLOUCESTER. O madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd! REGAN. What, did my father's godson seek your life? He whom my father nam'd? your Edgar? GLOUCESTER. O lady, lady, shame would have it hid! Was he not companion with the riotous knights GLOUCESTER. I know not, madam: 'tis too bad, too bad. EDMUND. Yes, madam, he was of that consort. No marvel then, though he were ill affected: Been well inform'd of them, and with such cautions I'll not be there. CORNWALL. Nor I, assure thee, Regan. Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father EDMUND. GLOUCESTER. 'Twas my duty, sir. He did bewray his practice, and receiv'd This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. CORNWALL. If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, EDMUND. Truly, however else. I shall serve you, sir, |