Act 2, Scene 1

Original Text

*Enter Edmund and Curan, severally.* EDMUND. Saue thee Curan. CURAN. And you Sir, I haue bin With your Father, and giuen him notice That the Duke of Cornwall, and Regan his Duchesse Will be here with him this night.

Modern English

*Edmund and Curan enter from different directions.* EDMUND. Hello, Curan. CURAN. Hello to you, sir. I've just come from your father. I told him that the Duke of Cornwall and his wife Regan will be arriving here tonight.

Original Text

EDMUND. How comes that? CURAN. Nay I know not, you haue heard of the newes abroad, I meane the whisper'd ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments. EDMUND. Not I: pray you what are they? CURAN. Haue you heard of no likely Warres toward, 'Twixt the Dukes of Cornwall, and Albany? EDMUND. Not a word. CURAN. You may do then in time, Fare you well Sir. *Exit Curan.*

Modern English

EDMUND. What brings them here? CURAN. I'm not sure. But haven't you heard the rumors going around? The quiet kind people whisper about. EDMUND. No, I haven't. What rumors? CURAN. That there may be conflict brewing between the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany. EDMUND. I haven't heard a word. CURAN. You will soon enough. Goodbye, sir. *Curan exits.*

Original Text

EDMUND. The Duke be here to night? The better best, This weaues it selfe perforce into my businesse, My Father hath set guard to take my Brother, And I haue one thing of a queazie question Which I must act, Briefenesse, and Fortune worke.

Modern English

EDMUND. Cornwall coming here tonight? Perfect timing. This works nicely for my plans. My father is already trying to capture my brother, and I've got a risky move I need to pull off. No time to waste — luck, be on my side. Here comes Edgar. My father is so easily fooled, and my brother is so honest that he suspects nothing. His trusting nature makes him an easy target. If I can't inherit by birth, I'll get what I want through cleverness. I'll make things turn out the way I need them to.

Original Text

*Enter Edgar.* EDMUND. Brother, a word, discend; Brother I say, My Father watches: O Sir, fly this place, Intelligence is giuen where you are hid; You haue now the good aduantage of the night, Haue you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornewall? Hee's comming hither, now i'th' night, i'th' haste, And Regan with him, haue you nothing said Vpon his partie 'gainst the Duke of Albany? Aduise your selfe. EDGAR. I am sure on't, not a word. EDMUND. I heare my Father comming, pardon me: In cunning, I must draw my Sword vpon you: Draw, seeme to defend your selfe, Now quit you well. Yeeld, come before my Father, light hoa, here, Fly Brother, Torches, Torches, so farewell. *Exit Edgar.*

Modern English

*Enter Edgar.* EDMUND. Brother, come here — quickly. Our father is watching for you. You need to leave immediately — he knows where you are. You have the advantage of night — go now. Have you said anything against the Duke of Cornwall? He's arriving tonight with Regan. Have you spoken in favor of Albany against him? Think carefully. EDGAR. No, I haven't said anything like that. EDMUND. I hear our father coming. Forgive me — I have to pretend to attack you. Draw your sword and act like you're defending yourself. Come on — fight back! Now run before he arrives! Lights! Help! Over here! Run, brother — go! *Edgar exits.*

Original Text

EDMUND. Some blood drawne on me, would beget opinion Of my more fierce endeauour. I haue seene drunkards Do more then this in sport. *He cuts his arm.* Father, Father, Stop, stop, no helpe?

Modern English

EDMUND. If I wound myself a little, it will make my story more believable. I've seen drunk men hurt themselves worse just for fun. *He cuts his arm.* That should do it. *Calls out loudly.* Father! Help! Help!

Original Text

*Enter Gloucester, and Servants with Torches.* GLOUCESTER. Now Edmund, where's the villaine? EDMUND. Here stood he in the dark, his sharpe Sword out, Mumbling of wicked charmes, coniuring the Moone To stand auspicious Mistris. GLOUCESTER. But where is he?

Modern English

*Enter Gloucester and servants with torches.* GLOUCESTER. Edmund! What's happened? Where is he? EDMUND. Sir, I found my brother here in the dark, muttering strange things to himself, calling on the moon and spirits. I tried to reason with him, but he ignored me. GLOUCESTER. Where is he? EDMUND. When I told him you were coming, he attacked me, trying to silence me. He saw I was determined to defend myself, so he ran off.

Original Text

EDMUND. Looke Sir, I bleed. GLOUCESTER. Where is the villaine, Edmund? EDMUND. Fled this way Sir, when by no meanes he could — GLOUCESTER. Pursue him, ho: go after. By no meanes, what? EDMUND. Perswade me to the murther of your Lordship, But that I told him the reuenging Gods, 'Gainst Paricides did all the thunder bend, Spoke with how manifold, and strong a Bond The Child was bound to'th' Father; Sir in fine, Seeing how lothly opposite I stood To his vnnaturall purpose, in fell motion With his prepared Sword, he charges home My vnprouided body, latch'd mine arme; And when he saw my best alarum'd spirits Bold in the quarrels right, rouz'd to th' encounter, Or whether gasted by the noyse I made, Full sodainely he fled.

Modern English

GLOUCESTER. Let him run! We'll track him down. This treachery will not go unpunished. If he's caught, he's as good as dead. We'll spread the word everywhere — anyone who shelters him will be punished. EDMUND. He tried to persuade me to join him, saying that since I'm illegitimate, no one would believe me over him. He said if I accused him, people would think I was lying.

Original Text

GLOUCESTER. Let him fly farre: Not in this Land shall he remaine vncaught And found; dispatch, the Noble Duke my Master, My worthy Arch and Patron comes to night, By his authoritie I will proclaime it, That he which finds him shall deserue our thankes, Bringing the murderous Coward to the stake: He that conceales him, death. *Servants exit to search.*

Modern English

GLOUCESTER. That villain! That unnatural son! Go — search everywhere for him. He's no son of mine anymore. *(To Edmund)* And you — you've shown loyalty. You'll be rewarded for this. *Servants exit to search.*

Original Text

EDMUND. When I disswaded him from his intent, And found him pight to doe it, with curst speech I threaten'd to discouer him; he replied, Thou vnpossessing Bastard, dost thou thinke, If I would stand against thee, would the reposall Of any trust, vertue, or worth in thee Make thy words faith'd? No, what should I denie, (As this I would, though thou didst produce My very Character) I'ld turne it all To thy suggestion, plot, and damned practise: And thou must make a dullard of the world, If they not thought the profits of my death Were very pregnant and potentiall spirits To make thee seeke it. *Tucket within.*

Modern English

GLOUCESTER. We'll announce that Edgar is a traitor. No one is to help him. And I'll ensure you gain from this, Edmund. EDMUND. I only did my duty, sir. *Trumpets sound.*

Original Text

GLOUCESTER. O strange and fastned Villaine, Would he deny his Letter, said he? Harke, the Dukes Trumpets, I know not wher he comes; All Ports Ile barre, the villaine shall not scape, The Duke must grant me that: besides, his picture I will send farre and neere, that all the kingdome May haue due note of him, and of my land, (Loyall and naturall Boy) Ile worke the meanes To make thee capable. *Enter Cornwall, Regan, and Attendants.*

Modern English

GLOUCESTER. Listen — the Duke of Cornwall is arriving. *Enter Cornwall, Regan, and attendants.* CORNWALL. Where is your son? GLOUCESTER. My lord, I regret to say — my son Edgar has betrayed me.

Original Text

CORNWALL. How now my Noble friend, since I came hither (Which I can call but now,) I haue heard strangenesse. REGAN. If it be true, all vengeance comes too short Which can pursue th' offender; how dost my Lord? GLOUCESTER. O Madam, my old heart is crack'd, it's crack'd. REGAN. What, did my Fathers Godsonne seeke your life? He whom my Father nam'd, your Edgar? GLOUCESTER. O Lady, Lady, shame would haue it hid. REGAN. Was he not companion with the riotous Knights That tended vpon my Father? GLOUCESTER. I know not Madam, 'tis too bad, too bad.

Modern English

REGAN. Was he one of the knights who followed my father? GLOUCESTER. Yes, madam. REGAN. Then it makes sense. Those wild knights of my father's have likely influenced him.

Original Text

EDMUND. Yes Madam, he was of that consort. REGAN. No maruaile then, though he were ill affected, 'Tis they haue put him on the old mans death, To haue th' expence and wast of his Reuenues: I haue this present euening from my Sister Beene well inform'd of them, and with such cautions, That if they come to soiourne at my house, Ile not be there. CORNWALL. Nor I, assure thee Regan; Edmund, I heare that you haue shewne your Father A Child-like Office. EDMUND. It was my duty Sir.

Modern English

CORNWALL. Tell us what happened. EDMUND. My lord, I'm ashamed to say it, but my brother tried to involve me in a plot. When I refused, he attacked me. REGAN. You've done the right thing in exposing him.

Original Text

GLOUCESTER. He did bewray his practise, and receiu'd This hurt you see, striuing to apprehend him. CORNWALL. Is he pursued? GLOUCESTER. I my good Lord. CORNWALL. If he be taken, he shall neuer more Be fear'd of doing harme, make your owne purpose, How in my strength you please: for you Edmund, Whose vertue and obedience doth this instant So much commend it selfe, you shall be ours, Nature's of such deepe trust, we shall much need: You we first seize on. EDMUND. I shall serue you Sir truely, how euer else.

Modern English

CORNWALL. You have proven yourself loyal. From now on, you are under my protection. REGAN. And you will have our favor.

Original Text

GLOUCESTER. For him I thanke your Grace. CORNWALL. You know not why we came to visit you? REGAN. Thus out of season, thredding darke ey'd night, Occasions Noble Gloster of some prize, Wherein we must haue vse of your aduise. Our Father he hath writ, so hath our Sister, Of differences, which I best thought it fit To answere from our home: the seuerall Messengers From hence attend dispatch, our good old Friend, Lay comforts to your bosome, and bestow Your needfull counsaile to our businesses, Which craues the instant vse. GLOUCESTER. I serue you Madam, Your Graces are right welcome. *Exeunt. Flourish.*

Modern English

GLOUCESTER. My lord, I will pursue him relentlessly. CORNWALL. See that you do. REGAN. We will stay with you tonight. There are matters we must discuss. GLOUCESTER. You are most welcome, my lord, my lady.

King Lear

Act 2, Scene 1

Act 2, Scene 1