King Lear: Act 3, Scene 3 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 3, Scene 3 of King Lear from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Gloucester and Edmund. GLOUCESTER Alack, alack, Edmund, I like not this unnatural dealing. When I desired their leave that I might pity him, they took from me the use of mine own house, charged me on pain of perpetual displeasure neither to speak of him, entreat for 5 him, or any way sustain him. EDMUND Most savage and unnatural.	Back at Gloucester's castle, Gloucester unloads his heart to his evil-genius son, Edmund. He's upset about how inhumanely Lear's own daughters deal with the old King, and even more upset that they've taken over his house. Worse still, the sisters have told Gloucester not to mention Lear in their presence, or else.
GLOUCESTER Go to; say you nothing. There is division between the dukes, and a worse matter than that. I have received a letter this night; ’tis dangerous to 10 be spoken; I have locked the letter in my closet. These injuries the King now bears will be revenged home; there is part of a power already footed. We must incline to the King. I will look him and privily relieve him. Go you and maintain talk with the 15 Duke, that my charity be not of him perceived. If he ask for me, I am ill and gone to bed. If I die for it, as no less is threatened me, the King my old master must be relieved. There is strange things toward, Edmund. Pray you, be careful. 20 He exits.	Gloucester then tells Edmund that he has received a politically explosive letter informing him that tension is rising between Albany and Cornwall and there are even worse things happening. He doesn't say what those things are, but tells Edmund he's locked the letter in his closet. He adds that the mistreatment of Lear will be avenged—someone's already mobilized to be sure of that. In the meantime, Gloucester can't bear to obey Cornwall's orders—he's going to go find Lear and bring him relief with all this good news, even though helping Lear is grounds for serious punishment (death). He tells Edmund to cover for him with Cornwall and to be careful, because there is a lot of strange stuff going on.
EDMUND This courtesy forbid thee shall the Duke Instantly know, and of that letter too. This seems a fair deserving, and must draw me That which my father loses—no less than all. The younger rises when the old doth fall. 25 He exits.