Act 3, Scene 5
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 which 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
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.