William Shakespeare's King Lear teaches the lesson to never believe everything you hear.
William Shakespeare's plays, sonnets and poems at AbsoluteShakespeare.com
Home Plays Sonnets Poems Quotes Summaries Essays Glossary Links Help

HOME > Plays > King Lear > Act IV. Scene V.

King Lear

Study Guides
Hamlet
Julius Caesar
King Henry IV
King Lear
Macbeth
Merchant of Venice
Othello
Romeo and Juliet
The Tempest
Twelfth Night

Trivia
Authorship
Bard Facts
Bibliography
Biography
FAQ
Films
Globe Theatre
Pictures
Quiz
Timeline

Act IV. Scene V.


Scene V.—A Room in GLOUCESTER'S
Castle.

Enter REGAN and OSWALD.

Reg. But are my brother's powers set forth?
Osw. Ay, madam.
Reg. Himself in person there?
Osw. Madam, with much ado:
Your sister is the better soldier.
Reg. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord
at home?
Osw. No, madam.
Reg. What might import my sister's letter to
him?
Osw. I know not, lady.
Reg. 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' the enemy.
Osw. I must needs after him, madam, with
my letter.
Reg. Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay
with us,
The ways are dangerous.
Osw. I may not, madam;
My lady charg'd my duty in this business.
Reg. Why should she write to Edmund? Might
not you
Transport her purposes by word? Belike,
Something—I know not what. I'll love thee
much,
Let me unseal the letter.
Osw. Madam, I had rather—
Reg. I know your lady does not love her
husband;
I am sure of that: and at her late being here
She gave strange œilliades and most speaking
looks
To noble Edmund. I know you are of her
bosom.
Osw. I, madam!
Reg. I speak in understanding; you 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.
Osw. Would I could meet him, madam: I
would show
What party I do follow.
Reg. Fare thee well. [Exeunt.
< PREVIOUS
Copyright © 2000-2005 AbsoluteShakespeare.com. All rights reserved.  Contact Us  Privacy  Awards