Lear's Labour's Lost
                                                         copyright © 2007 Jeff Goode

                                 ACT II - Forsworn & Betrayed

            SCENE 1 - King Lear's palace.
                  Enter GLOUCESTER, COSTARD, EDMUND and JAQUENETTA
            GLOUCESTER 
               Villain, thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned.
            COSTARD
               Let me not be pent up, sir: I will fast, being loose.
            GLOUCESTER 
               No, sir; that were fast and loose: thou shalt to prison.
                  Enter GONERIL
            GONERIL 
               Sir, the king's pleasure is, that you keep Costard safe: and you must suffer him to
               take no delight nor no penance; but a' must fast three days a week. For this
               damsel, I must keep her at the park: she is allowed for the day-woman. Fare you
               well.
            GLOUCESTER 
               [Aside to JAQUENETTA] I do betray myself with blushing. Maid!
            JAQUENETTA
               Man?
            GLOUCESTER 
               I will visit thee at the lodge.
            JAQUENETTA
               That's hereby.
            GLOUCESTER 
               I know where it is situate.
            JAQUENETTA
               Lord, how wise you are!
            GLOUCESTER 
               I love thee.
            JAQUENETTA 
               So I heard you say.
            GLOUCESTER 
               And so, farewell.
            JAQUENETTA
               Fair weather after you!
            GONERIL 
               Come, Jaquenetta, away!
                  Exeunt GONERIL and JAQUENETTA
            GLOUCESTER 
               Sirrah Costard, I will enfranchise thee.
               I give thee thy liberty, set thee from durance; and, in lieu thereof, impose on thee
               nothing but this: bear this significant
                                                               Giving a letter
               to the country maid Jaquenetta: there is remuneration; for the best ward of mine
               honour is rewarding my dependents. Son, follow.
                                                                      Exit
            EDMUND  
               [Aside] This maid will not serve your turn, sir. 
               This maid will serve my turn, sir. 
                                                                      Exit
            COSTARD 
               Now will I look to his remuneration. 
               Remuneration! why, it is a fairer name than French crown. I will never buy and sell
               out of this word.
                  Enter KENT
            KENT 
               O, my good knave Costard! exceedingly well met.
               As thou wilt win my favour, good my knave,
               Do one thing for me that I shall entreat.
               The princess stays her camp here in the park,
               And in her train there is a gentle lady;
               When tongues speak sweetly, then they name her name,
               Cordelia they call her: ask for her;
               And with my services to her, deliver 
               This seal'd-up counsel. There's thy guerdon; go.
                                                           Giving him a shilling
            COSTARD
               I will do it sir, in print. Gardon! Remuneration!
                                                                      Exit

Forth!