To fend the old and miferable King And turn our impreft launces in our eyes Which do command them. With him I fent the Queen, Alb. Sir, by your patience I hold you but a subject of this war, Reg. That's as we lift to grace him. Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded And call itself your brother. Gon. Not fo hot: In his own grace he doth exalt himself, By me invested, he compeers the best. Alb. 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-fquint. From a full flowing ftomach. General, Take thou my foldiers, prifoners, patrimony, Gon. Mean you to enjoy him? Alb. The lett alone lyes not in your good will. Baft. Nor in thine, Lord. Alb. Half-blooded fellow, yes. Reg. Let the drum ftrike, and prove my title thine. [To the Baft. They offer to go out. VOL. IV. Alb. Alb. Stay: hear my reafon : Edmund, I arreft thee On capital treafon, and in thy arreft, This gilded ferpent; for your claim, fair sister, Gon. An enterlude! Alb. Thou art arm'd, Glo'fler, let the trumpet found: If none appear to prove upon thy perfon Thy heinous, manifeft, and many treasons, There is my pledge: 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. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. [Afide. Baft. 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, Alb. A herald, ho! Truft to thy fingle virtues; for thy foldiers, Reg. My fickness grows upon me. Alb, She is not well, convey her to my tent. SCENE VII. [Exit Regan, Enter a Herald. [A trumpet Sounds. Come hither, herald, let the trumpet found, And read out this. Herald reads. If any man of quality or degree within the lifts of the army, will maintain upon Edmund fuppofed Earl of Glo'fter, that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third found of the trumpet: be is bold in bis defence. Her. Again. Her. Again. I trumpet. 2 trumpet. 3 trumpet. [Trumpet anfwers him within. Enter Enter Edgar armed. Alb. Afk him his purposes, why he appears Upon this call o'th'trumpet. Her. What are you? Your name, your quality, and why you answer Edg. Know, my name is loft, By treafon's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit ; I come to cope. Alb. Which is that adversary? Edg. What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Glofter Baft. Himfelf; what fay'ft thou to him? Edg. Draw thy fword, That if my speech offend a noble heart, Baft. In wisdom I should ask thy name; But fince thy out-fide looks fo fair and warlike, By rule of Knight-hood, I difdain and spurn: Say for Effay, fome haw or probability. Where Where they shall reft for ever. Trumpets, fpeak. [Alarm. Fight. Bastard falls. Gon. Save him, O fave him; this is practice, Glofter: By th' law of war, thou waft not bound to answer An unknown oppofite; thou art not vanquish'd, Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Thou worse than any thing, read thine own evil: Gon. Say if I do, the laws are mine, not thine; Alb. Monfter, know'st thou This paper? Gon. Afk me not what I do know. [Exit Gon. Alb. Go after her, fhe's defperate, govern her, Bast. What you have charg'd me with, that I have done, And more, much more; the time will bring us out. 'Tis paft, and fo am I: but what art thou That haft this fortune on me? If thou'rt noble, I do forgive thee. Edg. Let's exchange our charity: I am no lefs in blood than thou art, Edmund; Baft. Thou'ft fpoken right, 'tis true. The wheel is come full circle, I am here. Alb. Methought thy very gate did prophefie [Ta Edgar. A royal nobleness; I must embrace thee a Let forrow fplit my heart, if ever I Did hate thee or thy father. Edg. Worthy Prince, I know it well. Alb. Where have you hid yourself? How have you known the miferies of your father? Edg Edg. By nurfing them, my Lord. Lift a brief tale, That follow'd me so near, (O our lives sweetness! Baft. This fpeech of yours hath mov'd me, Alb. If there be more, more woful, hold it in, For I am almost ready to diffolve, Hearing of this. SCENE IX. Enter a Gentleman. Gent. Help, help! Edg. What kind of help? Alb. Speak, man. Edg. What means this bloody knife? Gent. 'Tis hot, it fmoaks, it came even from the heart Of- -O! fhe's dead. Alb. Who's dead? speak, man. Gent. Your Lady, Sir, your Lady; and her fifter By her is poifon'd! fhe confeffes it. Baft. I was contracted to them both; all three Now marry in an inftant. |