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No Fear Shakespheare

King Lear

William Shakespeare

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Act 4, Scene 5

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Enter REGAN and the steward OSWALD
REGAN enters with OSWALD.

REGAN
But are my brother’s powers set forth?
 REGAN
Have my brother-in-law’s troops been mobilized?

OSWALD
     Ay, madam.
 OSWALD
Yes, ma'am.

REGAN
Himself in person there?
 REGAN
Is he there in person?


OSWALD
Madam, with much ado.
Your sister is the better soldier.
 OSWALD
Yes, making a big fuss. Your sister’s the better soldier of the two.

5		 REGAN
Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home?
 REGAN
Lord Edmund didn’t speak to your master at home?

OSWALD
No, madam.
 OSWALD
No, ma'am.

REGAN
What might import my sister’s letter to him?
 REGAN
What could my sister’s letter to him say?

OSWALD
I know not, lady.
 OSWALD
I don’t know, ma'am.


10




15		 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
All hearts against us. Edmund I think is gone
In pity of his misery to dispatch
His nighted life; moreover to descry
The strength o' th' enemy.
 REGAN
He rushed away on serious business. It was a huge mistake to let old Gloucester live after we blinded him. Wherever he goes, he inspires compassion and people turn against us. I think Edmund went off to kill him, to put him out of his blind misery. And also to find out the size of the enemy army.

OSWALD
I must needs after him, madam, with my letter.
 OSWALD
I have to follow him and give him the letter.


REGAN
Our troops set forth tomorrow. Stay with us.
The ways are dangerous.
 REGAN
Our troops are deployed tomorrow. Stay with us tonight. It’s dangerous out there.
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