367328Glost. No, what needes then that terribe dispatch of 368it into

329your pocket, the qualitie of nothing hath not 369such need to hide

330it selfe, lets see, come if it bee no370thing I shall not neede specta-

331cles.

371332Ba. I beseech you Sir pardon me, it is a letter 372from my brother,

333that I haue not all ore read, for so 373much as I haue perused, I find it

334not fit for your liking.

375335Glost. Giue me the letter sir.

376336Bast, I shall offend either to detaine or giue it, 377the contents

337as in part I vnderstand them, 378are too blame.

379338Glost. Lets see, lets see?

380339Bast. I hope for my brothers iustification, he wrot 381this but

340as an essay, or tast of my vertue. A Letter.

382341Glost. This policie of age makes the 383world bitter to the best

342of our times, keepes our fortunes from 384vs till our oldnes cannot

343relish them, I begin to find an idle 385and fond bondage in the op-

344pression of aged tyranny, who swaies 386not as it hath power, but as

345it is suffered, come to me, that of 387this I may speake more, if our

346father would sleepe till I wakt 388him, you should inioy halfe his

347reuenew for euer, and liue the 389beloued of your brother Ed-

348gar.

390349 Hum, conspiracie, slept till I wakt him, you should 391enioy halfe

350his reuenew, my sonne Edgar, had hee a 392hand to write this, a

351hart, and braine to breed it in, 393when came this to you, who

352brought it?

394353Bast. It was not brought me my Lord, ther's the 395cunning of

354it, I found it throwne in at the casement of 396my closet.

397355Glost. You know the Caractar to be your brothers?

398356Bast. If the matter were good, my Lord I durst sweare 399it were

357his but in respect, of that I would faine thinke it 400were

not,

401358Glost. It is his?

402359Bast. It is his hand my Lord, but I hope his heart is 403not in

360the contents.

404361Glost. Hath he neuer heretofore soũded you in this busines?

405362Bast. Neuer my Lord, but I haue often heard him main406taine

363it to be fit, that sons at perfit age, & fathers 407declining, his father

364should be as ward to the sonne, and 408the sonne mannage the re-

365uenew.