Witnesse the world, that I create thee heere Gon. Meane you to enioy him then? Alb. The let alone lies not in your good will. Baft. Nor in thine lord. Alb. Halfe blooded fellow, yes. Bast. Let the drum ftrike, and proue my title good. This gilded ferpent: for your claime faire sister, Tis fhe is fubcontracted to her lord, And I her husband contradict the banes. Reg. Sicke, ô ficke. Gon. If not, Ile nere truft poyfon. Bat. Ther's my exchange, what in the world he is, That names me traitor, villain-like he lyes, Call by thy trumpet, he that dares approach On him, on you, who not, I will maintaine My truth and honor firmely. Alb. A herald ho. Baft. A herald ho, a herald. Alb. Truft to thy fingle vertue, for thy foldiers All leuied in my name, haue in my name tooke their discharge: Reg. This ficknese growes vpon me. Alb. Alb. She is not well, conuey her to my tent, Come hither herald, let the trumpet found, and read out this. Cap. Sound trumpet. Her. If any man of quality or degree, in the hoast of the army, will maintaine vpon Edmund, supposed earle of Glocefter, that he's a manifold traitor, let him appeare at the thirde found of the trumpet: he is bold in his defence. Baft. Sound. Againe. Enter Edgar at the third found, with a trumpet before him. Alb. Afke him his purposes, why he appeares Vpon this call o'th trumpet? Her. What are you? your name and quality? And why you answer this prefent fummons? Edg. O know my name is loft by treasons tooth: Where is the aduerfary I come to cope with all? Edg. What's he that fpeakes for Edmund earle of Glofter? Edg. Draw thy fword, That if my speech offend a noble heart, thy arme May do thee iuftice, heere is mine: Behold it is the priuiledge of my tongue, My oath and profession. I protest, Maugre thy strength, youth, place and eminence, This fword, this arme, and my best spirits, Is bent to proue vpon thy heart, whereto I fpeake thou lyeft. But fince thy outfide lookes fo faire and warlike, Gon. This is meere practife Glofter, by the law of armes Thou art not bound to offer an vnknowné opposite, Thou art not vanquifht, but coufned and beguild. Alb. Stop your mouth dame, or with this paper shall I ftop it thou worse then any thing, reade thine own euill. Nay, no tearing lady, I perceiue you know't. Gon. Say if I do, the lawes are mine not thine, who shal araign me for it. Alb. Monster, knowft thou this paper? Gon. Afke me not what I know. Exit Gonorill. Alb. Go after her, fhe's defperate, gouerne her. Baft. What you haue charg'd me with, that haue I done, And more, much more, the time will bring it out. Tis past, and so am I but what art thou that haft this for : tune on me? if thou beeft noble, I do forgiue thee. Edg. Let's exchange charity, I am no leffe in blood then thou art Edmund, If more, the more thou haft wrongd me. My name is Edgar, and thy fathers fonne, Make inftruments to fcourge vs: the darke and vitious place Baft. Baft. Thou haft spoken truth, The wheele is come full circkled, I am heere. Alb. Me thought thy very gate did prophee A royall nobleneffe, I must embrace thee, Let forow fplit my heart if I did euer hate thee or thy father. Edg. Worthy prince I know it. Alb. Where haue you hid your felfe? How haue you knowne the miseries of your father? Edg. By nurfing them my lord, List a breefe tale, and when tis told, O that my heart would burft. The bloody proclamation To escape that followed me fo neere, (O our liues sweetnesse, that with the paine of death Would hourely dye, rather then dye at once) Taught me to shift into a mad-mans rags, To affume a femblance that very dogges difdain'd: Baft. This fpeech of yours hath mooued me, Alb. If there be any more more wofull, hold it in. For I am almost readie to diffolue. Edg. This would haue feem'd a period to fuch Alb. But who was this? Edg. Kent fir, the banisht Kent, who in disguise, Followed his enemy king, and did him feruice Improper for a flaue. Enter one with a bloody Knife. Gent. Helpe, helpe. Alb. What kinde of helpe? what meanes that bloody knife? Gent. Its hot, it smokes, it came euen from the heart ofAlb. Who man? speake. Gent. Your lady fir, your lady; and her fifter By her is poyfon'd: fhe has confeft it. Baft. I was contracted to them both, all three Now marry in an inftant. Alb. Produce their bodies be they aliue or dead: This iuftice of the heauens that makes vs tremble, Touches not with pity. Enter Kent. Edg. Here comes Kent fir. Alb. |