By me invested, he compeers the best.

Gon. That were the most, if he should husband

you.

Re. Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Gon. Holla, holla! That eye that told you so look'd but asquint.1

Re. Lady, I am not well; else I should answer From a full-flowing stomach.-General, Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony; Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine: 2 Witness 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.

Re. Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine. [to Edmund. Alb. Stay yet; hear reason.-Edmund, I arrest

thee

On capital treason; and, in thy arrest,

This gilded serpent. [pointing to Goneril.] For your claim, fair sister,

I bar it in the interest of my wife :
'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your love to me;

1 In allusion to a proverb, Love, being jealous, makes a good eye look asquint.'

2 i. e. I surrender at discretion.

Alb. Thou art arm'd, Gloster. Let the trumpet sound:

If none appear to prove upon thy person,
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge: [throwing down a glove.] I'll
prove it on thy heart,

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.
Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, (who not?) I will maintain
My truth and honor firmly.

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.
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honors,
My oath, and my profession: I protest,
Maugre1 thy strength, youth, place, and eminence,
Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune,
Thy valor, and thy heart;-thou art a traitor;
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father;
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince;
And, from the extremest upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou, No,
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.

Edm. In wisdom, I should ask thy name;

But, since thy outside looks so fair and warlike,

2

And that thy tongue some 'say of breeding breathes,
What safe and nicely I might well delay

By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn.
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head;
With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart;

Which, (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise)
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
Where they shall rest for ever.-Trumpets, speak.
[alarums. They fight. Edmund falls.

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 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;
If more, the more thou hast wrong'd me.
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son.

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us :

The dark and vicious place where thee he got,
Cost him his eyes.

Edm.

Thou hast spoken right; 'tis true;