King Lear

By those that feel their sharpness:--
The question of Cordelia and her father
Requires a fitter place.

Alb.
Sir, by your patience,
I hold you but a subject of this war,
Not as a brother.

Reg.
That's as we list to grace him.
Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers;
Bore the commission of my place and person;
The which immediacy may well stand up
And call itself your brother.

Gon.
Not so hot:
In his own grace he doth exalt himself,
More than in your addition.

Reg.
In my rights
By me invested, he compeers the best.

Gon.
That were the most if he should husband you.

Reg.
Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Gon.
Holla, holla!
That eye that told you so look'd but asquint.

Reg.
Lady, I am not well; else I should answer
From a full-flowing stomach.--General,
Take thou my soldiers, prisoners, patrimony;
Dispose of them, of me; the walls are thine:
Witness the world that I create thee here
My lord and master.

Gon.
Mean you to enjoy him?

Alb.
The let-alone lies not in your good will.

Edm.
Nor in thine, lord.

Alb.
Half-blooded fellow, yes.

Reg.
[To Edmund.] Let the drum strike, and prove my title thine.

Alb.
Stay yet; hear reason.--Edmund, I arrest thee
On capital treason; and, in thine arrest,
This gilded serpent [pointing to Goneril.],--For your claim, fair
sister,
I bar it in the interest of my wife;
'Tis she is subcontracted to this lord,
And I, her husband, contradict your bans.
If you will marry, make your loves to me,--
My lady is bespoke.

Gon.
An interlude!

Alb.
Thou art arm'd, Gloster:--let the trumpet sound:
If none appear to prove upon thy person
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons,
There is my pledge [throwing down a glove]; I'll prove it on thy
heart,
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaim'd thee.

Reg.
Sick, O, sick!

Gon.
[Aside.] If not, I'll ne'er trust medicine.

Edm.
There's my exchange [throwing down a glove]: what in the world he
is
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies:
Call by thy trumpet: he that dares approach,
On him, on you, who not? I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly.

Alb.
A herald, ho!

Edm.