King Lear, Act 3, Scene 3
Original
Modern English
Enter Gloucester and Edmund.
Gloucester and Edmund come in.
Gloucester1
Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house; charged me on pain of perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, or any way sustain him.
Oh dear, oh dear, Edmund, I don't like this unnatural behaviour. When I asked their permission to show him some pity, they took away the use of my own house, and ordered me, on pain of their lasting anger, never to speak of him, plead for him, or support him in any way.
Edmund5
Most savage and unnatural!
Utterly savage and unnatural!
Gloucester6
Go to; say you nothing. There is division between the Dukes, and a worse matter than that: I have received a letter this night;—’tis dangerous to be spoken;—I have locked the letter in my closet: these injuries the King now bears will be revenged home; there’s part of a power already footed: we must incline to the King. I will look him, and privily relieve him: go you and maintain talk with the Duke, that my charity be not of him perceived: if he ask for me, I am ill, and gone to bed. If I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the King my old master must be relieved. There is some strange thing toward, Edmund; pray you be careful.
Enough; say nothing. There's a split between the Dukes, and something worse than that: I've had a letter tonight — it's dangerous to talk about — I've locked the letter in my private room. These wrongs the King is suffering now will be fully avenged. Part of an army has already landed. We must side with the King. I'll go find him and secretly help him. You go and keep the Duke talking, so he doesn't notice my kindness to the King. If he asks for me, I'm ill and have gone to bed. Even if I die for it, as I've been threatened with nothing less, the King, my old master, must be helped. Something strange is coming, Edmund. Please be careful.
Exit.
He leaves.
Edmund17
This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the Duke Instantly know; and of that letter too. This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me That which my father loses, no less than all: The younger rises when the old doth fall.
This kindness of yours, which you were forbidden to show, the Duke will know about at once, and about that letter too. This looks like something well worth a reward, and it must win me what my father loses — nothing less than everything. The young rise when the old fall.
Exit.
He leaves.
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