Synopsis:

Gloucester tells Edmund that he has decided to go to Lear’s aid; he also tells him about an incriminating letter he has received about the French invasion. After Gloucester leaves to find Lear, Edmund announces his plan to betray his father to Cornwall.

Enter Gloucester and Edmund.

GLOUCESTER  1879 Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this
1880  unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I
1881  might pity him, they took from me the use of mine
1882  own house, charged me on pain of perpetual
1883 5 displeasure neither to speak of him, entreat for
1884  him, or any way sustain him.
EDMUND  1885 Most savage and unnatural.
GLOUCESTER  1886 Go to; say you nothing. There is division
1887  between the dukes, and a worse matter than that. I
1888 10 have received a letter this night; ’tis dangerous to
1889  be spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet.
1890  These injuries the King now bears will be revenged
1891  home; there is part of a power already footed. We
1892  must incline to the King. I will look him and privily
1893 15 relieve him. Go you and maintain talk with the
1894  Duke, that my charity be not of him perceived. If he
1895  ask for me, I am ill and gone to bed. If I die for it, as
1896  no less is threatened me, the King my old master
1897  must be relieved. There is strange things toward,
1898 20 Edmund. Pray you, be careful.He exits.
EDMUND 
1899  This courtesy forbid thee shall the Duke
1900  Instantly know, and of that letter too.
1901  This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me
1902  That which my father loses—no less than all.
1903 25 The younger rises when the old doth fall.
He exits.