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King Lear: Act 3 Scene 3

Scene III Gloucester's castle.

[Enter GLOUCESTER and EDMUND]

GLOUCESTER

Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural

dealing. When I desire their leave that I might

pity him, they took from me the use of mine own

house; charged me, on pain of their perpetual

displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for

him, nor any way sustain him.

EDMUND

Most savage and unnatural!

GLOUCESTER

Go to; say you nothing. There's a division betwixt

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 seek 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.

Though 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.

[Exit]

EDMUND

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.

[Exit]