William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT III. 7. Scene VII. A Room in Gloster's Castle. (continued)

Reg.
Hard, hard.--O filthy traitor!

Glou.
Unmerciful lady as you are, I'm none.

Corn.
To this chair bind him.--Villain, thou shalt find,--

[Regan plucks his beard.]

Glou.
By the kind gods, 'tis most ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard.

Reg.
So white, and such a traitor!

Glou.
Naughty lady,
These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin
Will quicken, and accuse thee: I am your host:
With robber's hands my hospitable favours
You should not ruffle thus. What will you do?

Corn.
Come, sir, what letters had you late from France?

Reg.
Be simple-answer'd, for we know the truth.

Corn.
And what confederacy have you with the traitors
Late footed in the kingdom?

Reg.
To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king?
Speak.

Glou.
I have a letter guessingly set down,
Which came from one that's of a neutral heart,
And not from one oppos'd.

Corn.
Cunning.

Reg.
And false.

Corn.
Where hast thou sent the king?

Glou.
To Dover.

Reg.
Wherefore to Dover? Wast thou not charg'd at peril,--

Corn.
Wherefore to Dover? Let him first answer that.

Glou.
I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course.

Reg.
Wherefore to Dover, sir?