King Lear : Act 4, Scene 5

           Enter REGAN and Steward [OSWALD].

      REGAN
  1   But are my brother's powers set forth?

my brother's powers i.e., my brother-in-law's armies —Her brother-in-law is her sister Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany.

      OSWALD
  1                                                             Ay, madam.

      REGAN

Himself in person there? Is the Duke of Albany himself with his army?

2 Himself in person there?

OSWALD

ado fuss; trouble

  2                                           Madam, with much ado:
  3   Your sister is the better soldier.

      REGAN

Lord Edmund Edmund, the bastard son of Gloucester, is now "Lord Edmund" because he has been given his father's title as a reward for informing on his father. | your lord i.e., the Duke of Albany

  4   Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?

      OSWALD
  5   No, madam.

      REGAN

import mean | him i.e., Edmund

  6   What might import my sister's letter to him?

      OSWALD
  7   I know not, lady.

      REGAN

is posted hence has hurried away

8 'Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.

ignorance folly | being out being put out

  9   It was great ignorance, Gloucester's eyes being out,
10   To let him live: where he arrives he moves
11   All hearts against us: Edmund, I think, is gone,

dispatch to quickly put an end to
nighted darkened | descry spy out

12   In pity of his misery, to dispatch
13   His nighted life: moreover, to descry
14   The strength o' the enemy.

      OSWALD

after go after

15   I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.

      REGAN
16   Our troops set forth tomorrow: stay with us;

ways roads

17   The ways are dangerous.

      OSWALD
17                                             I may not, madam:

charged my duty i.e., gave me strict orders to carry out her instructions

18   My lady charged my duty in this business.

      REGAN
19   Why should she write to Edmund? Might not you

Belike Perhaps

20 Transport her purposes by word? Belike,

I'll love thee much i.e., I'll make it worth your while

21   Something—I know not what: I'll love thee much,
22   Let me unseal the letter.

      OSWALD
22                                          Madam, I had rather—

      REGAN
23   I know your lady does not love her husband;

late recently

24 I am sure of that: and at her late being here

œillades amorous glances
of her bosom in her confidence

25   She gave strange œillades and most speaking looks
26   To noble Edmund. I know you are of her bosom.

      OSWALD
27   I, madam?

      REGAN

I speak in understanding i.e., I am sure about this
take this note take note of this

28   I speak in understanding; you are; I know't:
29   Therefore I do advise you, take this note:
30   My lord is dead; Edmund and I have talk'd;

convenient appropriate

31 And more convenient is he for my hand

your lady's Goneril's (hand) | gather more i.e., make your own inferences

32   Than for your lady's: you may gather more.
33   If you do find him, pray you, give him this;

           [Gives him a love token, such as a ring
           or glove.]

And when ... from you i.e., and when you tell my sister Goneril about this conversation
desire her call her wisdom to her i.e., tell her to come to her senses

34   And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
35   I pray, desire her call her wisdom to her.
36   So, fare you well.
37   If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,

cuts him off cuts Gloucester's life short

38 Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.

OSWALD

Would If only

39 Would I could meet him, madam! I should show

What party I do follow. i.e., Where my loyalties lie

40   What party I do follow.

      REGAN
40                                          Fare thee well.

           Exeunt.