King Lear : Act 3, Scene 5
Enter CORNWALL and EDMUND.
CORNWALL
1
I will have my revenge ere I depart his house.
1. my revenge: my revenge [on Gloucester for aiding King Lear]. his house: Gloucester's house.
EDMUND
2
How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus
3
gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think
4
of.
2-4. How . . . of: I am afraid to think of how I may be condemned for letting my loyalty [to you] override my natural bonds [to my father].
CORNWALL
5
I now perceive, it was not altogether your brother's
6
evil disposition made him seek his death; but a
6. his death: Gloucester's death.
7
provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable
8
badness in himself.
7-8. provoking . . . himself: i.e., a goading evil in Edgar, urged on by Gloucester's badness, which invited punishment.
EDMUND
9
How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to
10
be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which
11
approves him an intelligent party to the advantages
12
of France: O heavens! that this treason were not,
11-12. approves . . . France: proves him a spy and informer working to aid France.
13
or not I the detector!
CORNWALL
14
Go with me to the duchess.
EDMUND
15
If the matter of this paper be certain, you have
16
mighty business in hand.
CORNWALL
17
True or false, it hath made thee Earl of
18
Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he
19
may be ready for our apprehension.
19. apprehension: arrest.
EDMUND [Aside.]
20
If I find him comforting the king, it will stuff
21
his suspicion more fully.
20-21. stuff his suspicion: increase suspicion of Gloucester.
[To Cornwall.]
I will persevere in 22
my course of loyalty, though the conflict be
23
sore between that and my blood.
23. my blood: i.e., my natural attachment to a family member.
CORNWALL
24
I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a
25
dearer father in my love.
Exeunt.