Page:King Lear (1917) Yale.djvu/55

King Lear, II. i

I threaten'd to discover him: he replied,

'Thou unpossessing bastard! dost thou think,

If I would stand against thee, would the reposal

Of any trust, virtue, or worth, in thee

Make thy words faith'd? No: what I should deny,—

As this I would; ay, though thou didst produce

My very character,—I'd turn it all

To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practice:

And thou must make a dullard of the world,

If they not thought the profits of my death

Were very pregnant and potential spurs

To make thee seek it.'

Glo. Strong and fasten'd villain!

Would he deny his letter? I never got him.

Hark! the duke's trumpets. I know not why he comes.

All ports I'll bar; the villain shall not 'scape;

The duke must grant me that: besides, his picture

I will send far and near, that all the kingdom

May have due note of him; and of my land,

Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means

To make thee capable.

Corn. How now, my noble friend! since I came hither,—

Which I can call but now,—I have heard strange news.

 68 discover: expose

69 unpossessing: incapable of inheriting

72 faith'd: credited

75 suggestion: evil prompting

damned practice: damnable trickery

78 pregnant: inciting

80 S. d. Tucket: trumpet-notes, indicating march-signal

82 ports: gates

86 natural: real, my own

87 capable: legal heir

