Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

room, Edmund determined to betray his father, and go and tell what he had just imparted to him, thinking that he should thus obtain what was sure to be taken from the Earl of Gloster. He rejoiced to think of his father being disgraced, and said, triumphantly, "The younger rises when the old doth fall." Such wickedness in one so young is almost incredible; but when a man does one bad thing, he is almost sure to do another, and his conscience becomes harder and harder. So Edmund betrayed his father to the Duke of Cornwall, who said, in great anger, "I will have my revenge ere I depart from his house." Wicked people are often cowards, and Edmund said he feared he might be censured. But he showed Cornwall the letter which his father had told him was hidden in his closet, which showed that Gloster knew what France was about to do. "Go with me to the duchess," said Cornwall. Edmund answered, "If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty business in hand." "True or false," said the duke, "it hath

made thee Earl of Gloster. Seek out where thy father is, that we may apprehend him ;" and so these bad men parted.

CHAPTER IX.

GLOSTER, thankful to have rescued the king, his master, from the storm, said, "It is better than the open air. Take it thankfully. I will make it as comfortable as I can. I will not be long from you." Kent was full of gratitude, and trusted his kindness would be rewarded. He said the king's mind had given way. He asked Lear how he was, and whether he would lie down and rest upon the cushions. The king did not seem to hear him; but, talking wildly, spoke about Goneril, and said she had kicked the poor king, her father, and most pathetically went on: "The little dogs and all-Tray, Blanch, and Sweetheart— see, they bark at me." Those who heard him were quite overcome; and Edgar shed tears, and feared he

should betray himself. "Now good, my lord; lie here and rest awhile," said Kent. Suddenly, Gloster returned in great fear. "Come here," he said to Kent. "Where is the king, my master ?" "Here, sir," said Kent; "but trouble him not; his wits are gone." "Good friend," cried Gloster, "take him in thy arms. I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him. There is a litter ready; lay him in it, and drive toward Dover, where thou shalt meet both welcome and protection. Take up thy master, and follow me." The king had fallen asleep. Kent addressed the fool, "Come, help to bear thy master; thou must not stay behind." So they carried off the king, in greatest haste and fear. There was hot anger and consternation when it was discovered that Gloster had helped the king to escape, and also that he knew the King of France had arrived off Dover with an army. "Seek out the villain, Gloster," cried Cornwall, furious with rage. "Hang him instantly," added Regan. "Pluck out his eyes,"

screamed Goneril. The servants rushed out to look

for him. Cornwall bid Edmund remain with Goneril, saying that the revenge he was going to take upon his father was not fit for him to behold. He desired them to tell the Duke of Albany, to whom they were going, to prepare for a festival; said, "We shall do the like. Farewell, dear sister! Farewell, my Lord of Gloster" -for so he called Edmund-giving him his father's title before he was dead. The steward entered. How now?" said Cornwall. "Where's the king?” The steward answered, "My Lord of Gloster hath conveyed him hence. Some five or six-and-thirty of his knights met him at the gate, who, with some others, are gone with him towards Dover, where they boast to have some well-armed friends.” "Get horses for your mistress," said Cornwall. So Goneril and Edmund departed. Cornwall again said, "Go, seek the traitor Gloster." He bid them pinion him like a thief, and bring him before him. At length he was found, and brought in. Cornwall exclaimed,

"Who's there? the traitor?"

"Ungrateful fox; 'tis

he," said Regan. Then Cornwall commanded the servants to bind his arms. "What mean your graces?" said Gloster. "Consider, you are my guests. Do me no foul play." "Bind him, I say," cried Cornwall. Hard, hard," said Regan. "Unmerciful lady," Gloster said. "I am not a traitor." But-could you believe it?-Regan plucked his beard. "Naughty lady," said the noble earl, "what will you do?" "Come, sir," Cornwall broke in, "what letters had you late from France ?" "To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king?" asked the hardhearted, undutiful Regan. "Where hast thou sent the king?" said Cornwall. "To Dover." "And wherefore to Dover?" "Because I would not see thy cruel nails pluck out his poor old eyes (looking at Regan); but I shall see the winged vengeance overtake such children." "See it shalt thou never," cried Cornwall; and then such a deed of cruelty was perpetrated that I will not shock you by entering into particulars, but only say that they deprived the poor

« ForrigeFortsæt »