William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

ACT V. 3. Scene III. The British Camp near Dover. (continued)

Alb.
Trust to thy single virtue; for thy soldiers,
All levied in my name, have in my name
Took their discharge.

Reg.
My sickness grows upon me.

Alb.
She is not well. Convey her to my tent.

[Exit Regan, led.]

[Enter a Herald.]

Come hither, herald.--Let the trumpet sound,--
And read out this.

Officer.
Sound, trumpet!

[A trumpet sounds.]

Her.
[Reads.] 'If any man of quality or degree within the lists of
the army will maintain upon Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloster,
that he is a manifold traitor, let him appear by the third sound
of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence.'

Edm.
Sound!

[First trumpet.]

Her.
Again!

[Second trumpet.]

Her.
Again!

[Third trumpet. Trumpet answers within. Enter Edgar, armed,
preceded by a trumpet.]

Alb.
Ask him his purposes, why he appears
Upon this call o' the trumpet.

Her.
What are you?
Your name, your quality? and why you answer
This present summons?

Edg.
Know, my name is lost;
By treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit.
Yet am I noble as the adversary
I come to cope.

Alb.
Which is that adversary?

Edg.
What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloster?

Edm.
Himself:--what say'st thou to him?