William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT II. 1. Scene I. A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloster.

[Enter Edmund and Curan, meeting.]

Edm.
Save thee, Curan.

Cur.
And you, sir. I have been with your father, and given him
notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be
here with him this night.

Edm.
How comes that?

Cur.
Nay, I know not.--You have heard of the news abroad; I mean the
whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments?

Edm.
Not I: pray you, what are they?

Cur.
Have you heard of no likely wars toward, 'twixt the two dukes
of Cornwall and Albany?

Edm.
Not a word.

Cur.
You may do, then, in time. Fare you well, sir.

[Exit.]

Edm.
The Duke be here to-night? The better! best!
This weaves itself perforce into my business.
My father hath set guard to take my brother;
And I have one thing, of a queasy question,
Which I must act:--briefness and fortune work!--
Brother, a word!--descend:--brother, I say!

[Enter Edgar.]

My father watches:--sir, fly this place;
Intelligence is given where you are hid;
You have now the good advantage of the night.--
Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall?
He's coming hither; now, i' the night, i' the haste,
And Regan with him: have you nothing said
Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?
Advise yourself.

Edg.
I am sure on't, not a word.

Edm.
I hear my father coming:--pardon me;
In cunning I must draw my sword upon you:--
Draw: seem to defend yourself: now quit you well.--
Yield:--come before my father.--Light, ho, here!
Fly, brother.--Torches, torches!--So farewell.

[Exit Edgar.]

Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
Of my more fierce endeavour: [Wounds his arm.]
I have seen drunkards
Do more than this in sport.--Father, father!
Stop, stop! No help?