136. Tom o' Bedlam: a Bedlam beggar.

Bedlam is a corruption of Bethlehem, the great asylum for

the insane, named after Saint Mary of Bethlehem. Its inmates

were often termed Bedlamites, and Tom was a common appellation. 138. fa, sol, la, mi,

Edmund sings in token of unconsciousness of Edgar's approach; but bis singing is a sigh which calls forth the following question from Edgar.

144. busy yourself: occupy your mind, give attention.

145. promise: assure.

146. succeed: follow the eclipses.

* See Appendix III,

148. The night gone by: last night.

Edmund. Spake you with him?

Edgar. Ay, two hours together.

Edmund.

Parted you in good terms? Found you no displeasure in him by word nor counte

nance?

Edgar. None at all.

150

Edmund. Bethink yourself wherein you may 155 have offended him; and at my entreaty forbear his presence until some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure, which at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely allay.

Edgar. Some villain hath done me wrong.

160

Edmund. That's my fear. I pray you have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower; and, as I say, retire with me to my lodging, from whence I will fitly bring you to 165 hear my lord speak. Pray ye, go; there 's my key; if you do stir abroad, go armed.

156, 157. forbear his presence: avoid him.

157. qualified: lessened.

159. that with, etc.: Gloucester is said to be so angry that his passion will not easily cease even upon the accomplishment of some bodily injury to Edgar,

6

Edmund has brought his father to a state of strong suspicion against Edgar, and now seeks to induce Edgar to a course of action calculated further to convince Gloucester of his treason. By avoiding his father, Edgar will appear to show a guilty conscience and furthermore be prevented from coming to any understanding with his father which would overthrow the plot.

161. done me wrong: slandered me to my father.

162, 163. have a continent forbearance: restrain your feelings and keep away.

164.

(Oraig.)

as I say: as I now suggest.

165. fitly at the proper occasion.

:

Edgar. Armed, brother?

Edmund. Brother, I advise you to the best; I

am no honest man if there be any good meaning 170

toward you.

I have told you what I have seen and

heard; but faintly, nothing like the image and horror

of it; pray you, away.

Edgar. Shall I hear from you anon?

Edmund. I do serve you in this business.

175

(Exit Edgar.).

A credulous father, and a brother noble,

Whose nature is so far from doing harms

That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty

My practices ride easy. I see the business.

Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit;

All with me 's meet that I can fashion fit.

(Exit.)

170. meaning: intention or purpose.

179. practices: intrigues.

business: the method of successfully accomplishing Lis plan. 181. fashion fit: shape to my purpose.

180

Edmund has rejected the authority of social law, and laughs at morality as foolish. In the accomplishment of his purpose there is no ground for blame; all is proper which he can employ suitably for his purpose. Might, ability fitly employed, is the only measure of right; and, yet, by his scornful tribute to Edgar's foolish honesty, he reveals his knowledge of a higher standard which condemns his merely animal morality.

The almost exclusive use of prose in this scene raises the question of its relation to verse in dramatic composition. In general it may be said Shakespeare's use of prose increases as he develops freedom of treatment in the use of blank verse. It is by no means a superior vehicle of expression, but there are situations and conversations more aptly portrayed in prose than in verse. As noted in the Introduction to the New Hudson Shakespeare (King Lear, page XLVI), four kinds of prose may be distinguished in this drama: (1) the prose of formal documents, such as letters; (2) the prose of low life and the speech of comic characters; (3) the colloquial prose of dialogue; (4) the prose of abnormal mentality. In each case its use incets some necessity of nature that is better appreciated with each reading.

Topics for consideration.

1. Gloucester's credulity and Edgar's fear.

2. Edmund's choice of a lower rather than a higher nature as the object of his loyalty.