Scene Five
[Gloucester's Castle]
Enter Cornwall and Edmund.
Corn. I will have my revenge ere I depart
his house.
Edm. How, my lord, I may be censured, that
nature thus gives way to loyalty, something
fears me to think of. 5
Corn. I now perceive it was not altogether
your brother's evil disposition made him seek
his death; but a provoking merit, set a-work by
a reproveable badness in himself. 9
Edm. How malicious is my fortune, that I
must repent to be just! This is the letter he
spoke of, which approves him an intelligent
party to the advantages of France. O heavens!
that this treason were not, or not I the detector!
Corn. Go with me to the duchess.
Edm. If the matter of this paper be certain,
you have mighty business in hand. 17
Corn. True, or false, it hath made thee Earl
of Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is,
that he may be ready for our apprehension. 20
Edm. [Aside.] If I find him comforting the
king, it will stuff his suspicion more fully.—I
will persever in my course of loyalty, though
the conflict be sore between that and my blood.
Corn. I will lay trust upon thee; and thou
shalt find a dearer father in my love. Exeunt.
3 censured: judged
4 something fears: somewhat frightens
8 provoking: urging
