King Lear · Act 3, Scene 5

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Enter CORNWALL and EDMUND
Enter CORNWALL and EDMUND
Cornwall

I will have my revenge ere I depart his house.

Cornwall

I’ll have my revenge before I leave his house.

Edmund

How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think of.

Edmund

My lord, people might judge me for choosing loyalty over family ties; it worries me to even consider it.

Cornwall

I now perceive, it was not altogether your brother’s evil disposition made him seek his death; but a provoking merit, set a-work by a reprovable badness in himself.

Cornwall

I now realize it wasn’t just your brother’s bad nature that made him want your father dead; there was a temptation caused by his own faults.

Edmund

How malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of France: O heavens! that this treason were not, or not I the detector!

Edmund

How unlucky I am, that I regret doing the right thing! This is the letter he mentioned, proving he’s involved with the French plans. Oh heavens! I wish this treason didn’t exist, or at least that I wasn’t the one to reveal it!

Cornwall

o with me to the duchess.

Cornwall

Come with me to the duchess.

Edmund

If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty business in hand.

Edmund

If what’s in this paper is true, you have serious matters to handle.

Cornwall

True or false, it hath made thee earl of Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our apprehension.

Cornwall

True or not, it’s made you the Earl of Gloucester. Go find your father, so he can be ready for his arrest.

Edmund

[Aside] If I find him comforting the king, it will stuff his suspicion more fully.--I will persevere in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore between that and my blood.

Edmund

[Aside] If I catch him supporting the king, it’ll fuel their suspicions even more.--I’ll stick to my loyal path, even though it conflicts with my natural instincts.

Cornwall

I will lay trust upon thee; and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love.

Cornwall

I’ll put my trust in you; you’ll find a more loving father in me.

Exuent
They exit

End of Act 3, Scene 5

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