KING LEAR 4.5

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KING LEAR 4.5

Gloucester's castle.

[Enter REGAN and OSWALD]

REGAN But are my brother's powers set forth?

OSWALD Ay, madam.

REGAN Himself in person there?

OSWALD Madam, with much ado:

Your sister is the better soldier. 5

REGAN Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?

OSWALD No, madam.

REGAN What might import my sister's letter to him?

OSWALD I know not, lady.

REGAN 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. 10

It was great ignorance, Gloucester's eyes being out,

To let him live: where he arrives he moves

All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone,

In pity of his misery, to dispatch

His nighted life: moreover, to descry 15

The strength o' the enemy.

OSWALD I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.

REGAN Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us;

The ways are dangerous.

OSWALD I may not, madam: 20

My lady charged my duty in this business.

REGAN Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you

Transport her purposes by word? Belike,

Something--I know not what: I'll love thee much,

Let me unseal the letter. 25

OSWALD Madam, I had rather--

REGAN I know your lady does not love her husband;

I am sure of that: and at her late being here

She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks

To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. 30

OSWALD I, madam?

REGAN I speak in understanding; you are; I know't:

Therefore I do advise you, take this note:

My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd;

And more convenient is he for my hand 35

Than for your lady's: you may gather more.

If you do find him, pray you, give him this;

And when your mistress hears thus much from you,

I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.

So, fare you well. 40

If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,

Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

OSWALD Would I could meet him, madam! I should show

What party I do follow.

REGAN Fare thee well. 45

[Exeunt]

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OSWALD		Madam, with much ado:
		Your sister is the better soldier.	5

REGAN	'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.	10
	It was great ignorance, Gloucester's eyes being out,
	To let him live: where he arrives he moves
	All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone,
	In pity of his misery, to dispatch
	His nighted life: moreover, to descry	15
	The strength o' the enemy.

REGAN		Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us;
		The ways are dangerous.

OSWALD		I may not, madam:	20
		My lady charged my duty in this business.

REGAN	Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
	Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
	Something--I know not what: I'll love thee much,
	Let me unseal the letter.	25

REGAN	I know your lady does not love her husband;
	I am sure of that: and at her late being here
	She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks
	To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.	30

REGAN	I speak in understanding; you are; I know't:
	Therefore I do advise you, take this note:
	My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd;
	And more convenient is he for my hand	35
	Than for your lady's: you may gather more.
	If you do find him, pray you, give him this;
	And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
	I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.
	So, fare you well.	40
	If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
	Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

OSWALD		Would I could meet him, madam! I should show
		What party I do follow.

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