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

            ACT IV

            SCENE 8 - Gloucester's castle.
                  Enter REGAN and OSWALD
            GONERIL 
               From Regan his mistress salutations? 
            OSWALD
               Yes, madam. 
            GONERIL 
               Lord Edmund spake not with her grace at home?
            OSWALD
               No, madam.
            GONERIL 
               What might import my sister's letter to him?
            OSWALD
               I know not, lady.
            GONERIL 
               'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
               'Twas ignorance, Jaquenetta's eyes being out, 
               To let her live: where she arrives she moves 
               All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone, 
               In pity of his misery, to dispatch 
               Her nighted life: moreover, to descry 
               The strength o' the enemy.
            OSWALD
               I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.
            GONERIL 
               Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us; 
               The ways are dangerous.
            OSWALD
                                   I may not, madam:
               My lady charged my duty in this business.
            GONERIL 
               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.
            OSWALD
                                   Madam, I had rather--
            GONERIL 
               I know your lady does not love her Edgar;
               I am sure of that: at her late being here 
               She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks 
               To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.
            OSWALD
               I, madam?
            GONERIL 
               I speak in understanding; you are; I know't: 
               Therefore I do advise you, take this note: 
               Her lord is fled; Edmund and I have talk'd; 
               And more convenient is he for my hand 
               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.
                                           As OSWALD turns to go, GONERIL draws a sword
                                                          and stabs him in the back
            OSWALD
               Wench, thou hast slain me: O, untimely death! 
                                                                      Dies
            GONERIL 
               Let's see these pockets: the letters that he speaks of 
               May be my friends. He's dead; I am only sorry 
               He had no other deaths-man. Let us see: 
               Leave, gentle wax; and, manners, blame us not: 
               To know our enemies' minds, we'ld rip their hearts; 
               Their papers, is more lawful. 
                                                                     Reads
               'Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. You may have opportunities to cut him off: if your
               will want not. There is nothing done, if he return: then am I the prisoner, and his bed my
               goal; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me, and supply the place for your labour.
               'Your--Affectionate servant,
               'REGAN.'
               O undistinguish'd space of woman's will! 
               A plot upon the virtuous Edgar's life; 
               And in exchange his brother! for him 'tis well 
               That of thy death and business I can tell.
                                                                      Exit

Forth!