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Home : King Lear : Act 4, scene v Read the Study Guide: King Lear
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King Lear
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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.
 REGAN
5 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.
 REGAN
  Faith, he is posted hence on serious matter.
10 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
15 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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