Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/131

King Lear, V. i

Alb. I'll overtake you. Speak.

[Exeunt Edmund, Regan, Goneril.]

Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.

If you have victory, let the trumpet sound

For him that brought it: wretched though I seem,

I can produce a champion that will prove

What is avouched there. If you miscarry,

Your business of the world hath so an end,

And machination ceases. Fortune love you!

Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.

Edg. I was forbid it.

When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,

And I'll appear again.

Alb. Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper.

Edm. The enemy's in view; draw up your powers.

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces

By diligent discovery; but your haste

Is now urg'd on you.

Alb. We will greet the time.

Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love;

Each jealous of the other, as the stung

Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?

Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd

If both remain alive: to take the widow

Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;

And hardly shall I carry out my side,

Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use

His countenance for the battle; which being done

Let her who would be rid of him devise

His speedy taking off. As for the mercy

 44 avouched: asserted

53 discovery: reconnoitring

54 time: occasion

56 jealous: suspicious

