KING LEAR [[THE FOLIO TEXT]]

Act 4 Scene 4

(Enter Regan and Oswald the steward)
l1l	Regan	 But are my brother’s powers set forth?
	Oswald	Ay, madam.
l2l	Regan	Himself in person there?
	Oswald	Madam, with much ado.
l3l		Your sister is the better soldier.
l4l	Regan	Lord Edmond spake not with your lord at home?
l5l	Oswald	No, madam.
l6l	Regan	What might import my sister’s letters to him?
l7l	Oswald	I know not, lady.
l8l	Regan	Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
l9l		It was great ignorance, Gloucester’s eyes being out,
l10l		To let him live. Where he arrives he moves
l11l		All hearts against us. Edmond, I think, is gone,
l12l		In pity of his misery, to dispatch
l13l		His ’nighted life, moreover to descry
l14l		The strength o’ th’ enemy.
l15l	Oswald	I must needs after, madam, with my letter.
l16l	Regan	Our troops set forth tomorrow. Stay with us.
l17l		The ways are dangerous.
	Oswald	I may not, madam.
l18l		My lady charged my duty in this business.
l19l	Regan	Why should she write to Edmond? Might not you
l20l		Transport her purposes by word? Belike—
l21l		Some things—I know not what. I’ll love thee much:
l22l		Let me unseal the letter.
	Oswald	Madam, I had rather—
l23l	Regan	I know your lady does not love her husband.
l24l		I am sure of that, and at her late being here
l25l		She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks
l26l		To noble Edmond. I know you are of her bosom.
l27l	Oswald	I, madam?
l28l	Regan	I speak in understanding. Y’ are, I know ’t.
l29l		Therefore I do advise you take this note.
l30l		My lord is dead. Edmond and I have talked,
l31l		And more convenient is he for my hand
l32l		Than for your lady’s. You may gather more.
l33l		If you do find him, pray you give him this,
l34l		And when your mistress hears thus much from you,
l35l		I pray desire her call her wisdom to her.
l36l		So, fare you well.
l37l		If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor,
l38l		Preferment falls on him that cuts him off.
l39l	Oswald	Would I could meet him, madam. I should show
l40l		What party I do follow.
	Regan	Fare thee well.
		(Exeunt severally)