Page 1921 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Which is that adversary?

EDGAR
What’s he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester?

EDMUND
Himself: what say’st thou to him?

EDGAR
Draw thy sword, [125]
That, if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice; here is mine:

Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours,
My oath, and my profession: I protest,
Maugre thy strength, place, youth, and eminence, [130]

Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,
Thy valour and thy heart, thou art a traitor,
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father,
Conspirant ’gainst this high illustrious prince,
And, from th’extremest upward of thy head [135]

To the descent and dust below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou ‘No,’
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent

To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.

EDMUND
In wisdom I should ask thy name; [140]
But since thy outside looks so fair and war-like,
And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes,

What safe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn;
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head, [145]
With the hell-hated lie o’erwhelm thy heart,

Which, for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise,
This sword of mine shall give them instant way,
Where they shall rest for ever. Trumpets, speak.
(Alarums. They fight. Edmund falls.)