Shakespeare - First Folio facsimile (1910)/The Tragedy of King Lear/Act 4 Scene 4

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3881652Shakespeare - First Folio facsimile (1910) — The Tragedie of King Lear, Act IV: Scene IV.William Shakespeare

Scena Quarta.


Enter Regan, and Steward.

Reg.
But are my Brothers Powres set forth?

Stew.
I Madam.

Reg.
Himselfe in person there?

Stew.
Madam with much ado:
Your Sister is the better Souldier.

Reg.
Lord Edmund spake not with your Lord at home?

Stew.
No Madam.

Reg.
What might import my Sisters Letter to him?

Stew.
I know not, Lady.

Reg.
Faith he is poasted hence on serious matter:
It was great ignorance, Glousters eyes being out
To let him liue. Where he arriues, he moues
All hearts against vs: Edmund, I thinke is gone
In pitty of his misery, to dispatch
His nighted life: Moreouer to descry
The strength o'th' Enemy.

Stew.
I must needs after him, Madam, with my Letter.

Reg.
Our troopes set forth to morrow, stay with vs:
The wayes are dangerous.

Stew.
I may not Madam:
My Lady charg'd my dutie in this busines.

Reg.
Why should she write to Edmund?
Might not you transport her purposes by word? Belike,
Some things, I know not what. Ile loue thee much
Let me vnseale the Letter.

Stew.
Madam, I had rather ——

Reg.
I know your Lady do's not loue her Husband,
I am sure of that: and at her late being heere,
She gaue strange Eliads, and most speaking lookes
To Noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosome.

Stew.
I, Madam?

Reg.
I speake in vnderstanding: Y'are: I know't,
Therefore I do aduise you take this note:
My Lord is dead: Edmond, and I haue talk'd,
And more conuenient is he for my hand
Then for your Ladies: You may gather more:
If you do finde him, pray you giue him this;
And when your Mistris heares thus much from you,
I pray desire her call her wisedome to her.
So fare you well:
If you do chance to heare of that blinde Traitor,
Preferment fals on him, that cuts him off.

Stew.
Would I could meet Madam, I should shew
What party I do follow.

Reg.
Fare thee well.Exeunt.