Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think,
If I would stand against thee, would the reposal
Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee
Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny,
(As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce
My very character,) I'd turn it all
To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice:
And thou must make a dullard of the world,
If they not thought the profits of my death
Were very pregnant and potential spurs

To make thee seek it.
Glo.

Strong and fasten'd villain !

Would he deny his letter!-I never got him.

[Trumpets within.

Hark, the duke's trumpets! I know not why he

comes:一

All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape;
The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture
I will send far and near, that all the kingdom
May have due note of him; and of my land,
Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means
To make thee capable.

Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, and Attendants. Corn. How now, my noble friend? since I came hither,

(Which I can call but now, I have heard strange

news.

Reg. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short, Which can pursue the offender. How dost, my lord?

Glo. O, madam, my old heart is crack'd, is crack'd!
Reg. What, did my father's godson seek your life?

He whom my father nam'd? your Edgar ?

Glo. O, lady, lady, shame would have it hid!

Reg. Was he not companion with the riotous

knights

That tend upon my father?
Glo.

It is too bad, too bad.-
Edm.

I know not, madam:

Yes, madam, he was.

Reg. No marvel then, though he were ill affected;

'Tis they have put him on the old man's death,
To have the waste and spoil of his revenues.
I have this present evening from my sister

Been well inform'd of them; and with such cautions,

That, if they come to sojourn at my house,

I'll not be there.

Corn.

Nor I, assure thee, Regan.

Edmund, I hear that you have shown your father

A child-like office.

Edm.

'Twas my duty, sir.

Glo. He did bewray his practice; and receiv'd

This hurt you see, striving to apprehend him.

Corn. Is he pursued?

Glo.

Ay, my good lord, he is.

Corn. If he be taken, he shall never more Be fear'd of doing harm: make your own purpose, How in my strength you please. For you, Edmund, Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant So much commend itself, you shall be ours;

Natures of such deep trust we shall much need;
You we first seize on.

Edm.

Truly, however else.
Glo.

I shall serve you, sir,

For him I thank your grace. Corn. You know not why we came to visit you,Reg. Thus out of season; 31 threading dark-ey'd

night.

Occasions, noble Gloster, of some poize,
Wherein we must have use of your advice :-
Our father he hath writ, so hath our sister,
Of differences, which I best thought it fit
To answer from our home; the several messengers
From hence attend despatch. Our good old friend,
Lay comforts to your bosom; and bestow

Your needful counsel to our business,

Which craves the instant use.

Stew. Good dawning to thee, friend: Art of the

house?

Kent. Ay.

Stew. Where may we set our horses?

Kent. I'the mire.

Stew. Pr'ythee, if thou love me, tell me.

Kent. I love thee not.

Stew. Why, then I care not for thee.

Kent. If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold 32, I would

make thee care for me.

Stew, Why dost thou use me thus? I know thee

not.

Kent. Fellow, I know thee.

Stew. What dost thou know me for?

Kent. A knave; a rascal, an eater of broken meats; a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted stocking knave; a lilyliver'd, action-taking knave; a whorson, glass-gazing, superserviceable, finical rogue; one-trunk-inheriting slave; one that would'st be a bawd, in way of good service, and art nothing but the composition of a knave, beggar, coward, pandar, and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch: one whom I will beat into clamorous whining, if thou deny'st the least syllable of thy addition.

Stew. Why, what a monstrous fellow art thou, thus to rail on one, that is neither known of thee, nor knows thee?

Kent. What a brazen-faced varlet art thou, to deny thou know'st me? Is it two days ago, since I tripp'd up thy heels, and beat thee, before the king? Draw, you rogue: for, though it be night, the moon shines; I'll make a sop o'the moonshine of you: Draw, you whorson cullionly barber-monger, draw.

[drawing his sword. Stew. Away; I have nothing to do with thee. Kent. Draw, you rascal: you come with letters against the king; and take vanity the puppet's part, against the royalty of her father: Draw, you rogue, or I'll so carbonado your shanks:-draw, you rascal; come your ways..

Stew. Help, ho! murder! help!

Kent. Strike, you slave; stand, rogue, stand; you

neat slave 33, strike.

- Stew. Help, ho! murder! murder !

[beating him.

Enter EDMUND, CORNWALL, REGAN, GLOSTER,

and Servants.

Edm. How now? What's the matter? Part...
Kent. With you, goodman boy, if you please;

come, I'll flesh you; come on, young master.
Glo. Weapons! arms! What's the matter here ?
Corn. Keep peace, upon your lives;

He dies, that strikes again: What is the matter?
Reg. The messengers from our sister and the king.
Corn. What is your difference? speak.
Stew. I am scarce in breath, my lord.

Kent. No marvel, you have so bestirr'd your valour. You cowardly rascal, nature disclaims in thee; a tailor made thee.

Corn. Thou art a strange fellow: a tailor make a man?

Kent. Ay, a tailor, sir: a stone-cutter, or a painter, could not have made him so ill, though they had been but two hours at the trade.