3 Now, sweet lord, 4 You know the goodness I intend upon you: 5 Tell me--but truly--but then speak the truth, 6 Do you not love my sister?
EDMUND
7 In honour'd love.
REGAN
8 But have you never found my brother's way 9 To the forfended place?
EDMUND
10 That thought abuses you.
REGAN
11 I am doubtful that you have been conjunct 12 And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.
EDMUND
13 No, by mine honour, madam.
REGAN
14 I never shall endure her: dear my lord, 15 Be not familiar with her.
EDMUND
16 Fear me not: 17 She and the duke her husband!
Enter, with drum and colours, ALBANY, GONERIL, and Soldiers
GONERIL
Aside 18 I had rather lose the battle than that sister 19 Should loosen him and me.
ALBANY
20 Our very loving sister, well be-met. 21 Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter, 22 With others whom the rigor of our state 23 Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest, 24 I never yet was valiant: for this business, 25 It toucheth us, as France invades our land, 26 Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear, 27 Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
EDMUND
28 Sir, you speak nobly.
REGAN
29 Why is this reason'd?
GONERIL
30 Combine together 'gainst the enemy; 31 For these domestic and particular broils 32 Are not the question here.
ALBANY
33 Let's then determine 34 With the ancient of war on our proceedings.
EDMUND
35 I shall attend you presently at your tent.
REGAN
36 Sister, you'll go with us?
GONERIL
37 No.
REGAN
38 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.
GONERIL
Aside 39 O, ho, I know the riddle.--I will go.
As they are going out, enter EDGAR disguised
EDGAR
40 If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, 41 Hear me one word.
ALBANY
42 I'll overtake you. Speak.
Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR
EDGAR
43 Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. 44 If you have victory, let the trumpet sound 45 For him that brought it: wretched though I seem, 46 I can produce a champion that will prove 47 What is avouched there. If you miscarry, 48 Your business of the world hath so an end, 49 And machination ceases. Fortune love you.
ALBANY
50 Stay till I have read the letter.
EDGAR
51 I was forbid it. 52 When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, 53 And I'll appear again.
ALBANY
54 Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper.
Exit EDGAR
Re-enter EDMUND
EDMUND
55 The enemy's in view; draw up your powers. 56 Here is the guess of their true strength and forces 57 By diligent discovery; but your haste 58 Is now urged on you.
ALBANY
59 We will greet the time.
Exit
EDMUND
60 To both these sisters have I sworn my love; 61 Each jealous of the other, as the stung 62 Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? 63 Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd, 64 If both remain alive: to take the widow 65 Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; 66 And hardly shall I carry out my side, 67 Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use 68 His countenance for the battle; which being done, 69 Let her who would be rid of him devise 70 His speedy taking off. As for the mercy 71 Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, 72 The battle done, and they within our power, 73 Shall never see his pardon; for my state 74 Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
