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 adversary? 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. Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name; 2 But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike, By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. Which, (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise) Alb. O, save him, save him! Gon. This is mere practice,3 Gloster : 1 Notwithstanding. 3 Stratagems. 2 Sample. By the law of arms, thou wast not bound to answer An unknown opposite: thou art not vanquish'd, But cozen'd and beguiled. Alb. Shut your mouth, dame, Or with this paper shall I stop it.—Hold, sir.— Thou worse than any name, read thine own evil :— No tearing, lady; I perceive, you know it. [gives the letter to Edmund. Gon. Say, if I do; the laws are mine, not thine. Who shall arraign me for 't? 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; The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices 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 A royal nobleness.—I must embrace thee. Let sorrow split my heart, if ever I 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. |