Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster. Let the trumpet sound: If none appear to prove upon thy person, Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less Than I have here proclaim'd thee. Re. Sick, O, sick! [aside. Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. Edm. There's my exchange: [throwing down a glove.] what in the world he is That names me traitor, villain-like he lies. Alb. A herald, ho! Edm. A herald, ho, a herald! Alb. Trust to thy single virtue; 1 for thy soldiers, All levied in my name, have in my name Took their discharge. Re. This sickness grows upon me. Enter HERALD. Alb. She is not well; convey her to my tent. 1 Valor. [Exit Regan, led. Come hither, herald: let the trumpet sound; And read out this. Off. Sound, trumpet. [a trumpet sounds. Her. [reads.] If any man of quality or degree, within the lists of the army, will maintain upon Edmund, supposed earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear at the third sound of the trumpet: he is bold in his defence.' Enter EDGAR, armed, preceded by a trumpet. Alb. Ask him his purposes, why he appears Upon this call o' the trumpet. Her. What are you? Your name, your quality; and why you answer This present summons ? Edg. Know, my name is lost, By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-bit: Yet am I noble as the adversary I come to cope withal. Alb. Which is that aaversary? Edg. What's he that speaks for Edmund earl of Gloster? Edm. Himself: what say'st thou to him? Edg. Draw thy sword; That, if my speech offend a noble heart, Thy arm may do thee justice: here is mine. Thou liest. Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. Alb. O, save him, save him! Gon. This is mere practice,3 Gloster: I Notwithstanding. 3 Stratagems. 2 Sample. By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it.—Hold, sir.— [gives the letter to Edmund. Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine. Who shall arraign me for 't? Alb. Know'st thou this paper? Gon. Most monstrous! Ask me not what I know. [Exit Goneril. Alb. Go after her: she's desperate; govern her. [to an Officer, who goes out. Edm. What you have charged me with, that have I done; And more, much more: the time will bring it out; 'Tis past, and so am I. But what art thou, That hast this fortune on me? If thou art noble, I do forgive thee. Edg. Let's exchange charity. I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund; If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me. My name is Edgar, and thy father's son. The dark and vicious place where thee he got, Edm. Thou hast spoken right; 'tis true; The wheel is come full circle: I am here. Alb. Methought, thy very gait did prophesy Did hate thee or thy father! Edg. Worthy prince, I know 't. Alb. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miseries of your father? Edg. By nursing them, my lord. List a brief tale; And, when 'tis told, O, that my heart would burst! That follow'd me so near, (O, our lives' sweetness! Edm. This speech of yours hath moved me, And shall, perchance, do good; but speak you on: You look as you had something more to say. |