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King Lear - Act 3, scene 5
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Last updated: Thu, Apr 21, 2016
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King Lear - Act 3, scene 5Act 3, scene 5
Scene 5
Synopsis:
Edmund tells Cornwall about Gloucester’s decision to help Lear and about the incriminating letter from France; in return, Cornwall makes Edmund earl of Gloucester.
Enter Cornwall, and Edmund ⌜with a paper.⌝CORNWALL 2101 I will have my revenge ere I depart his
2102 house.
EDMUND 2103 How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature
2104 thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to
2105 5 think of.
p.
149
CORNWALL
2106
I now perceive it was not altogether your2107 brother’s evil disposition made him seek his death,
2108 but a provoking merit set awork by a reprovable
2109 badness in himself.
EDMUND 2110 10How malicious is my fortune that I must
2111 repent to be just! This is the letter he spoke of,
2112 which approves him an intelligent party to the
2113 advantages of France. O heavens, that this treason
2114 were not, or not I the detector.
CORNWALL 2115 15Go with me to the Duchess.
EDMUND 2116 If the matter of this paper be certain, you
2117 have mighty business in hand.
CORNWALL 2118 True or false, it hath made thee Earl of
2119 Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he
2120 20 may be ready for our apprehension.
EDMUND, ⌜aside⌝ 2121 If I find him comforting the King, it
2122 will stuff his suspicion more fully.—I will persevere
2123 in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore
2124 between that and my blood.
CORNWALL 2125 25I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt
2126 find a ⟨dearer⟩ father in my love.
They exit.