KING LEAR 3.5

Gloucester's castle.

[Enter CORNWALL and EDMUND]

CORNWALL I will have my revenge ere I depart his house.

EDMUND How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus

gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think

of.

CORNWALL I now perceive, it was not altogether your 5

brother's evil disposition made him seek his death;

but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable

badness in himself.

EDMUND How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to

be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which 10

approves him an intelligent party to the advantages

of France: O heavens! that this treason were not,

or not I the detector!

CORNWALL o with me to the duchess.

EDMUND If the matter of this paper be certain, you have 15

mighty business in hand.

CORNWALL True or false, it hath made thee earl of

Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he

may be ready for our apprehension.

EDMUND [Aside] If I find him comforting the king, it will 20

stuff his suspicion more fully.--I will persevere in

my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore

between that and my blood.

CORNWALL I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a

dearer father in my love. 25

[Exeunt]

EDMUND		How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus
		gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think
		of.

CORNWALL	I now perceive, it was not altogether your	5
	brother's evil disposition made him seek his death;
	but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable
	badness in himself.

EDMUND	How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to
	be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which	10
	approves him an intelligent party to the advantages
	of France: O heavens! that this treason were not,
	or not I the detector!

EDMUND		If the matter of this paper be certain, you have	15
		mighty business in hand.

CORNWALL		True or false, it hath made thee earl of
		Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he
		may be ready for our apprehension.

EDMUND	[Aside] If I find him comforting the king, it will	20
	stuff his suspicion more fully.--I will persevere in
	my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore
	between that and my blood.

CORNWALL	I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a
	dearer father in my love.	25
	[Exeunt]