Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/53

King Lear, II. i

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!

My father watches: O 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.

Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion

Of my more fierce endeavour: I have seen drunkards

Do more than this in sport. Father! father!

Stop, stop. No help?

Glo. Now, Edmund, where's the villain?

Edm. Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out,

 19 queasy question: hazardous trial

28 party: side

