King Lear
Act IV, Scene 5
Gloucester’s Castle.
Costume design for Oswald
John Seymour Lucas, 19th century
- Enter Regan and Steward Oswald.
Regan
1- But are my brother’s pow’rs set forth?
Oswald
2- Ay, madam.
Regan
3- Himself in person there?
Oswald
4 - 5- Madam, with much ado;
- Your sister is the better soldier.
Regan
6- Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?
Oswald
7- No, madam.
Regan
8- What might import my sister’s letter to him?
Oswald
9- I know not, lady.
Regan
10 - 16- Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
- It was great ignorance, Gloucester’s eyes being out,
- To let him live; where he arrives he moves
- All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone,
- In pity of his misery, to dispatch
- His nighted life; moreover to descry
- The strength o’ th’ enemy.
Oswald
17- I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.
Regan
18 - 19- Our troops set forth tomorrow, stay with us;
- The ways are dangerous.
Oswald
20 - 21- I may not, madam;
- My lady charg’d my duty in this business.
Regan
22 - 25- Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you
- Transport her purposes by word? Belike
- Some things—I know not what. I’ll love thee much—
- Let me unseal the letter.
Oswald
26- Madam, I had rather—
Regan
27 - 30- I know your lady does not love her husband,
- I am sure of that; and at her late being here
- She gave strange eliads and most speaking looks
- To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.
Oswald
31- I, madam?
Regan
32 - 42- I speak in understanding: y’ are; I know’t.
- Therefore I do advise you take this note:
- My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk’d,
- And more convenient is he for my hand
- Than for your lady’s. You may gather more.
- If you do find him, pray you give him this;
- And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
- I pray desire her call her wisdom to her.
- So fare you well.
- If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
- Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
Oswald
43 - 44- Would I could meet him, madam! I should show
- What party I do follow.
Regan
45- Fare thee well.
- Exeunt.