Dry up in her the organs of increase;

And from her derogate body never spring
A babe to honour her! If she must teem,
Create her child of spleen; that it may live,
And be a thwart disnatur'd torment to her!
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth;
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks;
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits
To laughter and contempt; that she may feel
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child!-Away, away!

ACT II.

SCENE I.-A Court within GLOSTER'S Castle.

Enter EDMUND and CURAN, meeting.

Edmund.

AVE thee, Curan.

Cur. 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.

Edm. How comes that?

Cur. Have you heard of no likely wars toward 'twixt the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?

sir.

Edm. Not a word.

Cur. You may do, then, in time. Fare you well,

[Exit.

Edm. The duke be here to-night? The better!

best!

This weaves itself perforce into my business.
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.

My father watches :-O sir, fly this place;
Intelligence is given where you are hid :—
You've now the good advantage of the night :-

Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall?
He's coming hither.
Edg.
I'm sure on't, not a word.
Edm. I hear my father coming:-pardon me;
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.

Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
[Wounds his arm.

Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards
Do more than this in sport.-Father, father!—
Stop, stop!-No help?

Enter GLOSTER and Servants with torches.

Glo. Now, Edinund, where's the villain? Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,

Mumbling of wicked charms, conjuring the moon

To stand auspicious mistress,

Glo.

Edm. Look, sir, I bleed.

Glo.

But where is he?

Where is the villain, Edmund ?

Edm. Fled this way, sir. When by no means he

could

Glo. Pursue him, ho!-Go after. [Exeunt some Servants.]-By no means what?

Edm. Persuade me to the murder of your lordship. Seeing how loathly opposite I stood

To his unnatural purpose, in fell motion,
With his prepared sword he charges home
My unprovided body, lanc'd mine arm :
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.

Glo.

Let him fly far:

Not in this land shall he remain uncaught.

[Trumpets within. Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he

comes.

All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not scape;

The duke must grant me that; and of my land,
Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means
To make thee capable.

Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, and Attendants.

Corn. How now, my noble friend! since I came hither,

Which I can call but now,-I've heard strange news. Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life? He whom my father nam'd? your Edgar?

Glo. O lady, lady, shame would have it hid! Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father?

Glo. I know not, madam :-'tis too bad, too bad. Corn. Is he pursu'd?

Glo.

Ay, my good lord.

Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm. For you, Edmund, Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant So much commend itself, you shall be ours. You know not why we came to visit you,—

Reg. Thus out of season, threading dark-ey'd night.

Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
Of differences, which I best thought it fit

To answer from our home.

Glo.

I serve you, madam:

[Exeunt.

Your graces are right welcome.

Enter KENT and OSWALD, severally.

Osw. Good dawning to thee, friend: art of this house?

Kent. Ay.

Osw. Where may we set our horses?

Kent. I' th' mire.

Osw. Prithee, if thou lov'st me, tell me.

Kent. I love thee not.

Osw. Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee not. Kent. Fellow, I know thee.

Osw. What dost thou know me for?

Kent. A knave; a rascal; an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, threesuited, filthy, worsted-stocking knave.

[Drawing his sword.

Osw. Away! I have nothing to do with thee.

Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come with letters 'gainst the king; draw, you rascal.

Osw. Help, ho! murder! help!

Kent. Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand.

Osw. Help, ho! murder! murder!

Enter EDMUND.

[Beating him.

Edm. How now! What's the matter?

Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER, and
Servants.

Reg. The messengers from our sister and the king Corn. What is your difference? speak.

Osw. I am scarce in breath, my lord.

Corn. Speak yet, how grew your quarrel?

Osw. This ancient ruffian, sir, whose life I have

spar'd at suit of his gray beard,—

Kent. Thou zed! thou unnecessary letter!-"Spare

my gray beard," you wagtail!

Corn. Peace, sirrah! Know you no reverence?
Kent. Yes, sir; but anger hath a privilege.
Corn. Why art thou angry?