Original
Modern English
Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desire their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house; charged me, on pain of their perpetual displeasure, neither to speak of him, entreat for him, nor any way sustain him.
Oh dear, oh dear, Edmund, I don’t like this unnatural behavior. When I asked them for permission to pity him, they took away my right to use my own house; they warned me, on pain of their eternal displeasure, not to speak of him, plead for him, or support him in any way.
Most savage and unnatural!
Most brutal and unnatural!
Go to; say you nothing. There’s a division betwixt the dukes; and a worse matter than that: I have received a letter this night; ’tis dangerous to be spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet: these injuries the king now bears will be revenged home; there’s part of a power already footed: we must incline to the king. I will seek him, and privily relieve him: go you and maintain talk with the duke, that my charity be not of him perceived: if he ask for me. I am ill, and gone to bed. Though I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the king my old master must be relieved. There is some strange thing toward, Edmund; pray you, be careful.
Enough; don’t say anything. There’s a rift between the dukes; and something even worse: I received a letter tonight; it’s dangerous to mention; I’ve locked it in my room. These wrongs the king now suffers will be avenged at home; there’s already a force on the way: we must side with the king. I will seek him out and secretly help him; you go and keep talking to the duke, so he won’t suspect my kindness. If he asks for me, say I’m sick and have gone to bed. Even if it costs me my life, which it likely will, I must help my old master. Something strange is happening, Edmund; please, be careful.
This courtesy, forbid thee, shall the duke Instantly know; and of that letter too: This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me That which my father loses; no less than all: The younger rises when the old doth fall.
This kindness, which is forbidden, I’ll tell the duke about right away; and about that letter too. This seems like a great opportunity and will win me everything my father loses; no less than everything. The young rise up when the old fall down.