Page 1790 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

EDMUND

If the matter were good, my Lord, I durst swear it were his; but, in respect of
that, I would fain think it were not. [65]

GLOUCESTER
It is his?

EDMUND
It is his hand, my Lord; but I hope his heart is not in the contents.

GLOUCESTER
Has he never before sounded you in this business? [70]

EDMUND

Never, my Lord. But I have heard him oft maintain it to be fit that, sons at
perfect age, and fathers declin’d, the father should be as ward to the son, and
the son manage his revenue.

GLOUCESTER
O villain, villain! His very opinion in the [75] letter! Abhorred villain!
Unnatural, detested, brutish villain! worse than brutish! Go, sirrah, seek him;

I’ll apprehend him. Abominable villain! Where is he?

EDMUND

I do not well know, my Lord. If it shall please you to suspend your indignation
against my brother till you [80] can derive from him better testimony of his
intent, you hould run a certain course; where, if you violently proceed against

him, mistaking his purpose, it would make a great gap in your own honour,
and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience. I dare pawn down my life for
him, [85] that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your honour, and to no
other pretence of danger.

GLOUCESTER
Think you so?

EDMUND
If your honour judge it meet, I will place you where you shall hear us confer