The mind's own anticipation of madness! The deepest tragic notes are often struck by a half sense of an impending blow. The Fool's conclusion of this act by a grotesque prattling seems to [pg 196] indicate the dislocation of feeling that has begun and is to be continued.
Act ii. sc. 1. Edmund's speech:—
... “He replied,
Thou unpossessing bastard!” &c.
Thus the secret poison in Edmund's own heart steals forth; and then observe poor Gloster's—
“Loyal and natural boy!”—
as if praising the crime of Edmund's birth!
Ib. Compare Regan's—
“What, did my father's godson seek your life?
He whom my father named?”—