Act II, Scene 1

A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester.

Enter [Edmund the] Bastard 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. 930

• Edmund. How comes that?

• Curan. Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad- I mean the
  whisper'd 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 two Dukes 935
  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!
  This weaves itself perforce into my business. 940
  My father hath set guard to take my brother;
  And I have one thing, of a queasy question,
  Which I must act. Briefness and fortune, work!
  Brother, a word! Descend! Brother, I say!
  [Enter Edgar.] 945
  My father watches. O sir, fly this place!
  Intelligence is given where you are hid.
  You have now the good advantage of the night.
  Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall?
  He's coming hither; now, i' th' night, i' th' haste, 950
  And Regan with him. Have you nothing said
  Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?
  Advise yourself.

• Edgar. I am sure on't, not a word.

• Edmund. I hear my father coming. Pardon me! 955
  In cunning I must draw my sword upon you.
  Draw, seem to defend yourself; now quit you well.-
  Yield! Come before my father. Light, ho, here!
  Fly, brother.- Torches, torches!- So farewell.
  [Exit Edgar.] 960
  Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
  Of my more fierce endeavour. [Stabs his arm.] I have seen
  drunkards
  Do more than this in sport.- Father, father!-
  Stop, stop! No help? 965

Enter Gloucester, and Servants with torches.

• Earl of Gloucester. Now, Edmund, where's the villain?

• Edmund. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,
  Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon
  To stand 's auspicious mistress. 970

• Earl of Gloucester. But where is he?

• Edmund. Look, sir, I bleed.

• Earl of Gloucester. Where is the villain, Edmund?

• Edmund. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could-

• Earl of Gloucester. Pursue him, ho! Go after. [Exeunt some Servants]. 975
  By no means what?

• Edmund. Persuade me to the murther of your lordship;
  But that I told him the revenging gods
  'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend;
  Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond 980
  The child was bound to th' father- sir, in fine,
  Seeing how loathly opposite I stood
  To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion
  With his prepared sword he charges home
  My unprovided body, lanch'd mine arm; 985
  But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits,
  Bold in the quarrel's right, rous'd to th' encounter,
  Or whether gasted by the noise I made,
  Full suddenly he fled.

• Earl of Gloucester. Let him fly far. 990
  Not in this land shall he remain uncaught;
  And found- dispatch. The noble Duke my master,
  My worthy arch and patron, comes to-night.
  By his authority I will proclaim it
  That he which find, him shall deserve our thanks, 995
  Bringing the murderous caitiff to the stake;
  He that conceals him, death.

• Edmund. When I dissuaded him from his intent
  And found him pight to do it, with curst speech
  I threaten'd to discover him. He replied, 1000
  'Thou unpossessing bastard, dost thou think,
  If I would stand against thee, would the reposal
  Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee
  Make thy words faith'd? No. What I should deny
  (As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce 1005
  My very character), I'ld turn it all
  To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice;
  And thou must make a dullard of the world,
  If they not thought the profits of my death
  Were very pregnant and potential spurs 1010
  To make thee seek it.'

• Earl of Gloucester. Strong and fast'ned villain!
  Would he deny his letter? I never got him.
  [Tucket within.]
  Hark, the Duke's trumpets! I know not why he comes. 1015
  All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not scape;
  The Duke must grant me that. Besides, his picture
  I will send far and near, that all the kingdom
  May have due note of him, and of my land,
  Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means 1020
  To make thee capable.

Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants.

• Duke of 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 1025
  Which can pursue th' offender. How dost, my lord?

• Earl of 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?

• Earl of Gloucester. O lady, lady, shame would have it hid! 1030

• Regan. Was he not companion with the riotous knights
  That tend upon my father?

• Earl of Gloucester. I know not, madam. 'Tis too bad, too bad!

• Edmund. Yes, madam, he was of that consort.

• Regan. No marvel then though he were ill affected. 1035
  'Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
  To have th' expense and waste of his revenues.
  I have this present evening from my sister
  Been well inform'd of them, and with such cautions
  That, if they come to sojourn at my house, 1040
  I'll not be there.

• Duke of Cornwall. Nor I, assure thee, Regan.
  Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father
  A childlike office.

• Edmund. 'Twas my duty, sir. 1045

• Earl of Gloucester. He did bewray his practice, and receiv'd
  This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him.

• Duke of Cornwall. Is he pursued?

• Earl of Gloucester. Ay, my good lord.

• Duke of Cornwall. If he be taken, he shall never more 1050
  Be fear'd of doing harm. Make your own purpose,
  How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund,
  Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant
  So much commend itself, you shall be ours.
  Natures of such deep trust we shall much need; 1055
  You we first seize on.

• Edmund. I shall serve you, sir,
  Truly, however else.

• Earl of Gloucester. For him I thank your Grace.

• Duke of Cornwall. You know not why we came to visit you- 1060

• Regan. Thus out of season, threading dark-ey'd night.
  Occasions, noble Gloucester, of some poise,
  Wherein we must have use of your advice.
  Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
  Of differences, which I best thought it fit 1065
  To answer from our home. The several messengers
  From hence attend dispatch. Our good old friend,
  Lay comforts to your bosom, and bestow
  Your needful counsel to our business,
  Which craves the instant use. 1070

• Earl of Gloucester. I serve you, madam.
  Your Graces are right welcome.

Exeunt. Flourish.