King Lear

Hello, Curan.

Hello, sir. I just saw your father the Lord Gloucester and notified him that the Duke of Cornwall and his wife Regan will stay with him here tonight.

Why is that?

I don’t know. Have you heard the latest news?—I mean the whispered rumors, since that’s all they are at this point.

No, I haven’t. What’s going on?

You haven’t heard of the war brewing between the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?

Not a word.

You may hear about it soon. Goodbye, sir.

The duke will be here tonight? All the better—in fact it’s the best that could happen. His arrival fits perfectly into my plan. My father’s ready to arrest my brother, and I have one risky thing to do. Fast work and a little luck are all I need.—Brother, could I have a word with you? Come down, brother.

Father is on the lookout. Get out of here quickly! It has leaked out that you’re hiding here. If you leave now, you can take advantage of the darkness and sneak away. You haven’t said anything against the Duke of Cornwall, have you? He’s rushing on his way here right now, and Regan’s with him. Have you said anything against Cornwall or Albany? Think about it.

I’m sure of it. I haven’t said a word.

I hear my father coming. Forgive me. I have to pretend to threaten you with my sword. Draw your sword too, as if you’re defending yourself. Be convincing. (loudly) Give up! Go see my father.—Bring in some light!(speaking so that only EDGAR can hear) Run, brother. (loudly) Torches, bring in the torches! (speaking so that only EDGAR can hear) Goodbye, then.

If I had some blood on me it would look like I’d fought more fiercely. (he cuts his own arm) I’ve seen drunk men do worse than this just fooling around.—Father, father!—Stop, stop!—Won’t anyone help me?

Edmund, where’s your wicked brother?

He was standing here in the dark with his sword pointing at me. He was mumbling some black magic spells, appealing to the moon to help him in his evil plans—

But where is he?

Look, sir, I’m bleeding.

Where is the villain, Edmund?

He ran out that way, sir, when he couldn’t—

Follow him, now! Go.

When he couldn’t what?

When he couldn’t persuade me to kill you. I told him that the gods hate men who kill their fathers and unleash all their thunder on them, and that the bond between father and child was sacred. In short, when I told him how firmly opposed I was to his hideous plan, he pulled out his sword and lunged at my defenseless body, cutting my arm. Bolstered by righteousness, I prepared to fight, and when he saw my excitement—or perhaps because my shouting scared him—he ran away suddenly.

Let him run far away. If he stays in this country he’ll be found. And if he’s caught, he’ll be executed. The Duke of Cornwall, my master and patron, is arriving tonight. On his authority I’ll proclaim that whoever finds Edgar and helps bring the murderous coward to justice will be rewarded. Whoever helps Edgar hide will die.

After I urged him not to kill you, I saw that he was still determined to do it. Enraged, I threatened to expose him. He answered, “You penniless bastard! Do you really think that if it came down to my word against yours, anyone would believe you? No. I’d deny whatever evidence you had against me—even if it were in my own handwriting—and turn it all into evidence against you and your plans for treachery. And you must think people are stupid if you believe they wouldn’t realize all the motives you have for trying to kill me.”

Oh, how monstrously evil! He said he would deny that he wrote his letter? He cannot truly be my son.—Listen. The duke’s trumpets. I don’t know why he’s come here. I’ll forbid all ships from leaving our harbors. The villain won’t escape. The duke will agree with me on that. And I’ll send his picture everywhere so that the whole kingdom will know what he looks like.—And as for you, my loyal and true son, I’ll find some way to make you my heir.

How are you, my friend? Ever since I arrived here, just now, I’ve been hearing strange rumors.

If they’re true, no punishment is harsh enough for the criminal. How are you, my lord?

Oh, madam, my old heart is broken, broken.

Did my father’s godson try to kill you? The one whom my father named, your son Edgar?

Oh, my lady, I’m ashamed to admit it.

Wasn’t he friends with all those brawling knights who serve my father?

I don’t know, madam. Oh, it’s too terrible.

To answer your question, ma’am—yes, he was friendly with those knights.

Then it’s no surprise they had a bad influence on him. They probably put him up to killing old man Gloucester to get his money. Tonight I received a letter from my sister telling me all about them—and warning me not be at home in case they come to stay at my house.

And I won’t be there either.—Edmund, I’m told you’ve acted like a true son to your father.

I just did my duty, sir.

He exposed Edgar’s murderous plot, and was wounded, as you see there, when trying to apprehend him.

Are your men searching for him?

Yes, my lord.

If he’s caught, he’ll never make trouble for anyone again. Feel free to use my authority however you wish in order to apprehend him.—As for you, Edmund, you’ve been so loyal and virtuous throughout this whole business. I’d like you to work for me. I need people as trustworthy as you.

I’ll always be loyal to you, sir.

(to cornwall) Thank you, my lord, for your kindness to Edmund.

You don’t know why we came to visit you—

Yes, and so unexpectedly, at night. There are some important matters we need your advice on, Gloucester. My father and my sister have both recently written to me about arguments between them. I realized it would be inconvenient to answer them from home, especially since the king may be on his way there. Their messengers are ready, waiting to deliver our response in these matters. So please, old friend, give us some good advice. We need it desperately and immediately.

I’m at your service, madam. Both of you are very welcome here.