Shakespeare Portal

Act 4, Scene 5

A Room in Gloster's Castle.

  1. [Enter Regan and Oswald.]
  2. Regan
  3. 2447 But are my brother's powers set forth?
  4. Oswald
  5. 2448 Ay, madam.
  6. Regan
  7. 2449 Himself in person there?
  8. Oswald
  9. 2450 Madam, with much ado.
  10. 2451 Your sister is the better soldier.
  11. Regan
  12. 2452 Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?
  13. Oswald
  14. 2453 No, madam.
  15. Regan
  16. 2454 What might import my sister's letter to him?
  17. Oswald
  18. 2455 I know not, lady.
  19. Regan
  20. 2456 Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
  21. 2457 It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes being out,
  22. 2458 To let him live: where he arrives he moves
  23. 2459 All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone,
  24. 2460 In pity of his misery, to despatch
  25. 2461 His nighted life; moreover, to descry
  26. 2462 The strength o' the enemy.
  27. Oswald
  28. 2463 I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.
  29. Regan
  30. 2464 Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us;
  31. 2465 The ways are dangerous.
  32. Oswald
  33. 2466 I may not, madam:
  34. 2467 My lady charg'd my duty in this business.
  35. Regan
  36. 2468 Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
  37. 2469 Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
  38. 2470 Something,—I know not what:—I'll love thee much—
  39. 2471 Let me unseal the letter.
  40. Oswald
  41. 2472 Madam, I had rather,—
  42. Regan
  43. 2473 I know your lady does not love her husband;
  44. 2474 I am sure of that: and at her late being here
  45. 2475 She gave strange eyeliads and most speaking looks
  46. 2476 To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.
  47. Oswald
  48. 2477 I, madam?
  49. Regan
  50. 2478 I speak in understanding; you are, I know't:
  51. 2479 Therefore I do advise you, take this note:
  52. 2480 My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd;
  53. 2481 And more convenient is he for my hand
  54. 2482 Than for your lady's.—You may gather more.
  55. 2483 If you do find him, pray you give him this;
  56. 2484 And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
  57. 2485 I pray desire her call her wisdom to her
  58. 2486 So, fare you well.
  59. 2487 If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
  60. 2488 Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
  61. Oswald
  62. 2489 Would I could meet him, madam! I should show
  63. 2490 What party I do follow.
  64. Regan
  65. 2491 Fare thee well.
  66. [Exeunt.]