Act III, Scene V

A Room in Gloucester’s Castle

Enter Cornwall and Edmund.

CORNWALL
I will have my revenge ere I depart his house.

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

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 reproveable badness in himself.

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!

CORNWALL
Go with me to the Duchess.

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

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.

EDMUND
[_Aside._] If I find him comforting the King, it will stuff his
suspicion more fully. I will persever in my course of loyalty,
though the conflict be sore between that and my blood.

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

[_Exeunt._]