Act 3, Scene 3
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 is 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't, as no less is threatened me, the king my old master must be relieved. There is strange things toward, Edmund; pray you, be careful.
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.