| Gloucester's castle. |
| [Enter REGAN and OSWALD] |
| REGAN | But are my brother's powers set forth? |
| OSWALD | Ay, madam. |
| REGAN | Himself in person there? |
| OSWALD | Madam, with much ado: | ||
| Your sister is the better soldier. | 5 |
| REGAN | Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home? |
| OSWALD | No, madam. |
| REGAN | What might import my sister's letter to him? |
| OSWALD | I know not, lady. |
| REGAN | 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter. | 10 | |
| It was great ignorance, Gloucester's eyes being out, | |||
| To let him live: where he arrives he moves | |||
| All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone, | |||
| In pity of his misery, to dispatch | |||
| His nighted life: moreover, to descry | 15 | ||
| The strength o' the enemy. |
| OSWALD | I must needs after him, madam, with my letter. |
| REGAN | Our troops set forth to-morrow: stay with us; | ||
| The ways are dangerous. |
| OSWALD | I may not, madam: | 20 | |
| My lady charged my duty in this business. |
| REGAN | Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you | ||
| Transport her purposes by word? Belike, | |||
| Something--I know not what: I'll love thee much, | |||
| Let me unseal the letter. | 25 |
| OSWALD | Madam, I had rather-- |
| REGAN | I know your lady does not love her husband; | ||
| I am sure of that: and at her late being here | |||
| She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks | |||
| To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom. | 30 |
| OSWALD | I, madam? |
| REGAN | I speak in understanding; you are; I know't: | ||
| Therefore I do advise you, take this note: | |||
| My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd; | |||
| And more convenient is he for my hand | 35 | ||
| Than for your lady's: you may gather more. | |||
| If you do find him, pray you, give him this; | |||
| And when your mistress hears thus much from you, | |||
| I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her. | |||
| So, fare you well. | 40 | ||
| If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor, | |||
| Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. |
| OSWALD | Would I could meet him, madam! I should show | ||
| What party I do follow. |
| REGAN | Fare thee well. | 45 | |
| [Exeunt] |