Page 1852 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Scene III IT

(A Room in Gloucester’s Castle.)

Enter Gloucester and Edmund, with lights.

GLOUCESTER
Alack, alack! Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desir’d their
leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house;

charg’d me, on pain of perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat
for him, or any way sustain him. [5]

EDMUND
Most savage and unnatural!

GLOUCESTER
Go to; say you nothing. There is division between the Dukes, and a worse

matter than that. I have receiv’d a letter this night; ’tis dangerous to be
spoken; I have lock’d the letter in my closet. These injuries the King [10] now
bears will be revenged home; there is part of a power already footed; we
must incline to the King. I will look him and privily relieve him; go you and
maintain talk with the Duke, that my charity be not of him perceiv’d. If he ask

for me, I am ill and gone to bed. If I die for it, as no [15] less is threatened
me, the King, my old master, must be reliev’d. There is strange things
toward, Edmund; pray you, be careful.

(Exit.)

EDMUND

This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the Duke
Instantly know; and of that letter too: [20]
This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me
That which my father loses; no less than all:

The younger rises when the old doth fall.
(Exit.)

Scene IV IT