Page 164 - King Lear: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare

4.4.19 KING LEAR 89
Lest his ungoverned rage dissolve the life
That wants the means to lead it.
Enter Messenger
Messenger. News, madam! 20
The British powers are marching hitherward.
Cordelia. "Tis known before; our preparation stands
In expectation of them. O dear father,
It is thy business that I go about!
Therefore great France
My mourning and importuned tears hath pitied.
No blown ambition doth our arms incite,
But love, dear love, and our aged father's right.
Soon may I hear and see him! [they go

[4. 5.] Gloucester's castle

Enter REGAN and OSWALD
Regan. But are my brother's powers set forth?
Oswald. Ay, madam.
Regan. Himself in person there?
Oswald. Madam, with much ado.
Your sister is the better soldier.
Regan. Lord Edmund spake not with your lord
at home?
Oswald. No, madam*
Regan. What might import my sister's letter to him?
Oswald. I know not, lady.
Regan. Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
It was great ignorance, Gloucester's eyes being out,
To let him live: where he arrives he moves 10
All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone,
In pity of his misery, to dispatch