William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Tragedy of King Lear.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Act III |
| | | Scene III |
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[Gloucester’s castle]
Enter GLOUCESTER and EDMUND
Glou. Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house; charg’d me, on pain of perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, or any way sustain him. | |
| Edm. Most savage and unnatural! | |
| Glou. Go to; say you nothing. There is division between the Dukes, and a worse matter than that. I have received a letter this night; ’tis dangerous to be spoken; I have lock’d the letter in my closet. These injuries the King now bears will be revenged home; 1 there is part of a power already footed. 2 We must incline to the King. I will look him, and privily relieve him. Go you and maintain talk with the Duke, that my charity be not of him perceived. If he ask for me, I am ill, and gone to bed. If I die for it, as no less is threat’ned me, the King my old master must be relieved. There is strange things toward, 3 Edmund; pray you, be careful. Exit. | |
| Edm. This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the Duke | 4 |
| Instantly know; and of that letter too. | |
| This seems a fair deserving, 4 and must draw me | |
| That which my father loses; no less than all. | |
| The younger rises when the old doth fall. Exit. | 8 |
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