And you, sir. I have been with your father and given him
notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess
will be here with him this night.
CURAN
Hello, sir. I just saw your father the Lord Gloucester and notified him that the Duke of Cornwall and his wife Regan will stay with him here tonight.
EDMUND
5
How comes that?
EDMUND
Why is that?
CURAN
Nay, I know not. You have heard of the news abroad?—
I mean the whispered ones, for they are yet but ear-kissing
arguments.
CURAN
I don't know. Have you heard the latest news?—I mean the whispered rumors, since that's all they are at this point.
EDMUND
Not I. Pray you, what are they?
EDMUND
No, I haven't. What's going on?
CURAN
10
Have you heard of no likely wars toward 'twixt the two
Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?
CURAN
You haven't heard of the war brewing between the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany?
EDMUND
Not a word.
EDMUND
Not a word.
CURAN
You may do then in time. Fare you well, sir.
CURAN
You may hear about it soon. Goodbye, sir.
Exit CURAN
CURAN exits.
EDMUND
The duke be here tonight? The better—best!
15
This weaves itself perforce into my business.
My father hath set guard to take my brother.
And I have one thing, of a queasy question,
Which I must act. Briefness and fortune, work!—
Brother, a word. Descend, brother, I say.
EDMUND
The duke will be here tonight? All the better—in fact it's the best that could happen. His arrival fits perfectly into my plan. My father's ready to arrest my brother, and I have one risky thing to do. Fast work and a little luck are all I need.—Brother, could I have a word with you? Come down, brother.
