King Lear: Act 3, Scene 3

    tragedy

    Gloucester's castle.

    Scene Summary

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    Gloucester tells Edmund secretly that he has had a letter from France and that help is coming for Lear. He is going to find the king. Edmund immediately decides to tell Cornwall.

    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