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

            ACT III

            SCENE 2 - Gloucester's castle.
                  Enter EDMUND
            EDMUND
               My father hath set guard to take my brother; 
               This weaves itself perforce into my business. 
               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
               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 GLOUCESTER, and Servants with torches
            GLOUCESTER
                               Now, Edmund, where's the villain?
            EDMUND
               Fled this way, sir. When by no means he could
               Persuade me to the murder of your lordship; 
               Full suddenly he fled.
            GLOUCESTER
                                    Let him fly far:
               Not in this land shall he remain uncaught.
            EDMUND
               When I dissuaded him from his intent, 
               And found him pight to do it, with curst speech 
               I threaten'd to discover him: he replied, 
               'Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think, 
               If I would stand against thee, would the reposal 
               Of any trust, virtue, or worth in thee 
               Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny,--'
            GLOUCESTER
               Strong and fasten'd villain 
               Would he deny his letter? I never got him. 
               All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape;
               The king must grant me that: besides, his picture
               I will send far and near, that all the kingdom
               May have the due note of him; and of my land,
               Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means
               To make thee capable.
                                                                Tucket within
               Hark, Regan's trumpets! I know not why she comes.
            EDMUND 
               Faith, the poor wench is cast away: she's quick; the child brags in her belly
               already: 'tis his. 
            GLOUCESTER
               How! 
            EDMUND 
               She is two months on her way. 
            GLOUCESTER 
               Then shall Edgar be whipped for Princess Regan that is quick by him 
            EDMUND 
               And hanged for Regan that is scorned by him. 
                  Enter REGAN, and Attendants
            REGAN 
               If you do chance to hear of that blood traitor,
               Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
               How now, my noble friend! since I came hither, 
               Which I can call but now, I have heard strange news.
               If it be true, all vengeance comes too short 
               Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord?
            GLOUCESTER
               O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd!
            REGAN
               What, did my father's godson seek your life? 
               He whom my father named? your Edgar?
            GLOUCESTER
               O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid!
            REGAN 
               Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father 
               A child-like office.
            EDMUND
                                  'Twas my duty, Princess.
               Would I could meet him, madam! I should show 
               What party I do follow. 
            GLOUCESTER
               He did bewray his practise; and received 
               This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him.
            REGAN 
               If he be taken, he shall never more 
               Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, 
               How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund, 
               Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant 
               So much commend itself, you shall be ours: 
               Natures of such deep trust we shall much need; 
               You we first seize on.
            EDMUND
                                  I shall serve your grace, 
               Truly, however else.
            GLOUCESTER
                                 For him I thank your grace.
            REGAN 
               Take you some company, and away to horse: 
               Inform my sister--
            EDMUND 
                                   Regan, I bleed apace: 
            REGAN 
               Untimely comes this hurt: give me your arm.  
            EDMUND 
               [Aside to REGAN] Will you vouchsafe with me to change a word?
            REGAN 
               Name it.
            EDMUND 
                           Fair lady,--                                                  
            REGAN 
                                       Say you so? Fair lord,--
               Take that for your fair lady.
            EDMUND 
                                    Please it you,
               As much in private, and I'll bid adieu.
                                                           They converse apart
            GLOUCESTER 
               O, but her eye,--by this light, but for her eye, I would not love her; yes, for her two
               eyes.
                                                                      Exit

Forth!