Edm. Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law[2671]
My services are bound. Wherefore should I[2671]
Stand in the plague of custom, and permit[2671][2672]
The curiosity of nations to deprive me,[2671][2673]
For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines[2671] 5
Lag of a brother? Why bastard? wherefore base?[2671][2674]
When my dimensions are as well compact,[2671][2675]
My mind as generous and my shape as true,[2671]
As honest madam's issue? Why brand they us[2671][2676]
With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base?[2671][2677] 10
Who in the lusty stealth of nature take[2671]
More composition and fierce quality[2671]
Than doth, within a dull, stale, tired bed,[2671][2678]
Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops,[2671][2679]
Got 'tween asleep and wake? Well then,[2671][2680] 15
Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land:[2671]
Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund[2671]
As to the legitimate: fine word,'legitimate!'[2671][2681]
Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed[2671]
And my invention thrive, Edmund the base[2671][2676] 20
Shall top the legitimate. I grow; I prosper:[2671][2682]
Now, gods, stand up for bastards![2671]
Enter Gloucester.[2671]
Glou. Kent banish'd thus! and France in choler parted![2671][2683][2684]
And the king gone to-night! subscribed his power![2671][2684][2685]
Confined to exhibition! All this done[2671][2684][2686] 25
Upon the gad! Edmund, how now! what news?[2671][2684]
Edm. So please your lordship, none.
[Putting up the letter.[2687]
Glou. Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter?[2688]
Edm. I know no news, my lord.
Glou. What paper were you reading? 30
Edm. Nothing, my lord.