William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear

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

Gon.
Holla, holla!
That eye that told you so look'd but asquint.

Reg.
Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
From a full-flowing stomach.--General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine:
Witness the world that I create thee here
My lord and master.

Gon.
Mean you to enjoy him?

Alb.
The let-alone lies not in your good will.

Edm.
Nor in thine, lord.

Alb.
Half-blooded fellow, yes.

Reg.
[To Edmund.] Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.

Alb.
Stay yet; hear reason.--Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason; and, in thine arrest,
This gilded serpent [pointing to Goneril.],--For your claim, fair
sister,
I bar it in the interest of my wife;
'Tis she is subcontracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your loves to me,--
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.
An interlude!

Alb.
Thou art arm'd, Gloster:--let the trumpet sound:
If none appear to prove upon thy person
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge [throwing down a glove]; I'll prove it on thy
heart,
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.

Reg.
Sick, O, sick!

Gon.
[Aside.] If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine.

Edm.
There's my exchange [throwing down a glove]: what in the world he
is
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies:
Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, who not? I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.

Alb.
A herald, ho!

Edm.
A herald, ho, a herald!