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Enter with drum and colors EDMUND, REGAN, gentlemen, and soldiers |
EDMUND, REGAN, gentlemen, and soldiers enter with drums and banners. |
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EDMUND
(to a gentleman) Know of the duke if his last purpose hold, Or whether since he is advised by aught To change the course. He’s full of alteration And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure. |
EDMUND
(to a gentleman) Go find out from the Duke of Albany if his decision still holds, or if he’s changed his mind. He’s always going back and forth and second-guessing himself. Come back and tell me what his final decision is. |
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Exit gentleman |
Gentleman exits. |
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REGAN
Our sister’s man is certainly miscarried. |
REGAN
My sister’s servant Oswald has certainly run into trouble. |
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EDMUND
’Tis to be doubted, madam. |
EDMUND
I’m afraid that may be the case, madam. |
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REGAN
Now, sweet lord, You know the goodness I intend upon you. Tell me but truly—but then speak the truth— Do you not love my sister? |
REGAN
Now, my sweet lord, you know how much I like you. Tell me truthfully, do you love my sister? |
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EDMUND
In honored love. |
EDMUND
Yes, truly and honorably. |
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REGAN
But have you never found my brother’s way To the forfended place? |
REGAN
But have you ever gone in my brother-in-law’s bed and had sex with her? |
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EDMUND
That thought abuses you. |
EDMUND
No. You dishonor yourself and our relationship by thinking that. |
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REGAN
I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosomed with her as far as we call hers. |
REGAN
I’m just worried that you’ve been cozying up to her, and gotten intimate with her. |
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EDMUND
No, by mine honor, madam. |
EDMUND
No, I swear on my honor, I haven’t, madam. |
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REGAN
I never shall endure her. Dear my lord, Be not familiar with her. |
REGAN
I can’t stand her. Please, my lord, don’t be friendly with her. |
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EDMUND
Fear me not.— She and the duke her husband! |
EDMUND
Don’t worry about me.—Your sister and the duke are here. |
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Enter with drum and colors ALBANY and GONERIL, with troops |
ALBANY, GONERIL, and soldiers enter with drums and banners. |
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GONERIL
(aside) I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me. |
GONERIL
(to herself) I’d rather lose this battle than allow that sister of mine to come between me and Edmund. |
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ALBANY
Our very loving sister, well bemet.— Sir, this I hear: the king is come to his daughter, With others whom the rigor of our state Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest I never yet was valiant. For this business, It touches us as France invades our land, Not bolds the king, with others whom I fear Most just and heavy causes make oppose. |
ALBANY
My dear and loving sister-in-law, I’m happy to see you. (to EDMUND) Sir, I’ve heard that the king has joined up with his daughter as well as others who have complained about our strict policies. I’ve never fought for a cause I didn’t believe in. I’m concerned about the French because they have invaded our soil, not because they support King Lear or those others—who, I’m afraid, may have legitimate grievances against us. |
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EDMUND
Sir, you speak nobly. |
EDMUND
Noble words, sir. |
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REGAN
Why is this reasoned? |
REGAN
Why are we talking about this? |
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GONERIL
Combine together ’gainst the enemy, For these domestic and particular broils Are not the question here. |
GONERIL
We must join forces against the enemy. Our domestic squabbles are not the issue here. |
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ALBANY
Let’s then determine with the ancient of war On our proceedings. |
ALBANY
Then let’s meet with our senior command and discuss what to do next. |
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EDMUND
I shall attend you presently at your tent. |
EDMUND
I’ll meet you at your tent. |
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REGAN
Sister, you’ll go with us? |
REGAN
Goneril, are you coming with us? |
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GONERIL
No. |
GONERIL
No. |
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REGAN
’Tis most convenient. Pray you, go with us. |
REGAN
It’s the best thing to do. Please come with me. |
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GONERIL
(aside) Oh ho, I know the riddle.—I will go. |
GONERIL
(to herself) Oh ho, I know her little tricks.—Okay, I’ll go. |
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Enter EDGAR disguised |
EDGAR enters, disguised as a peasant. |
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EDGAR
(to ALBANY) If e’er your grace had speech with man so poor, Hear me one word. |
EDGAR
(to ALBANY) If you can stoop to speak to a man as poor as I am, then listen to me, please. |
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ALBANY
(to EDMUND, REGAN, and GONERIL) I’ll overtake you.— |
ALBANY
(to EDMUND, REGAN, and GONERIL exiting) I’ll catch up with you.— |
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Exeunt all but ALBANY and EDGAR |
Everyone exits except ALBANY and EDGAR. |
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Speak. |
Go ahead. |
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EDGAR
(giving ALBANY a letter) Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. If you have victory, let the trumpet sound For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem, I can produce a champion that will prove What is avouchèd there. If you miscarry, Your business of the world hath so an end, And machination ceases. Fortune love you. |
EDGAR
(giving ALBANY a letter) Before you go into battle, open this letter. If you win, then blow your trumpet as a signal for me. I may look wretched, but I’ll bravely stand up to defend my claims. If you die in battle, all your projects and this plan are off. Good luck to you. |
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ALBANY
Stay till I have read the letter. |
ALBANY
Wait until I read the letter. |
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EDGAR
I was forbid it. When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, And I’ll appear again. |
EDGAR
I was ordered not to. When the time comes, tell the herald to blow the trumpet and I’ll return. |
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ALBANY
Why, fare thee well. I will o’erlook thy paper. |
ALBANY
Goodbye, then. I’ll take a look at your letter. |
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Exit EDGAR |
EDGAR exits. |
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Enter EDMUND |
EDMUND enters. |
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EDMUND
The enemy’s in view. Draw up your powers. (gives ALBANY a document) Here is the guess of their true strength and forces By diligent discovery, but your haste Is now urged on you. |
EDMUND
The enemy’s in sight. Prepare your troops. (gives ALBANY a document) The reconnaissance operation has returned this estimate of the enemy’s manpower and weaponry. But now, please hurry. |
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ALBANY
We will greet the time. |
ALBANY
We’ll be ready when the time comes. |
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Exit ALBANY |
He exits. |
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EDMUND
To both these sisters have I sworn my love, Each jealous of the other as the stung Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed If both remain alive. To take the widow Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril, And hardly shall I carry out my side, Her husband being alive. Now, then, we’ll use His countenance for the battle, which being done, Let her who would be rid of him devise His speedy taking off. As for the mercy Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia, The battle done and they within our power, Shall never see his pardon, for my state Stands on me to defend, not to debate. |
EDMUND
I’ve sworn my love to both of these sisters. They’re jealous of each other like poisonous snakes. Which one of them should I pick? Both? One? Neither? I can’t enjoy either of them as long as the other one’s alive. Goneril would go crazy if I chose Regan, but it would be hard to get in with Goneril while her husband’s still alive. I’ll use Albany’s power and authority for now to win the war, but afterward one of the sisters—whichever one wants to—can get rid of him. Albany wants to spare Lear and Cordelia, but once they are my prisoners after the battle, they won’t stay alive long enough to see his pardon. I have to defend my position with actions, not words. |
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Exit |
He exits. |