ACT III — SCENE III. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle

Enter Gloucester and Edmund.

GLOUCESTER.

Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I

desired their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the

use of mine own house; charged me on pain of perpetual displeasure,

neither to speak of him, entreat for him, or any way sustain him.

EDMUND.

Most savage and unnatural!

GLOUCESTER.

Go to; say you nothing. There is division between 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 look 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. If 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.

[_Exit._]

EDMUND.

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.

[_Exit._]