King Lear: Act 3, Scene 5 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 3, Scene 5 of King Lear from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Enter Cornwall, and Edmund with a paper. CORNWALL I will have my revenge ere I depart his house. EDMUND How, my lord, I may be censured, that nature thus gives way to loyalty, something fears me to think of. 5	Meanwhile, back at Gloucester's castle, Edmund's evil plan is progressing nicely. Cue the evil smirk and hand-rubbing gesture. He has told Cornwall about his father's forbidden allegiance to Lear and has also showed Cornwall the incriminating, anti-Cornwall letter, all the while suggesting that he's making a great sacrifice by placing his loyalty to Cornwall above his filial duty (to his father, Gloucester).
CORNWALL I now perceive it was not altogether your brother’s evil disposition made him seek his death, but a provoking merit set awork by a reprovable badness in himself.	Cornwall concludes that it now seems like Edgar's "plot" to kill his father was kind of just, what with Gloucester being such wicked guy and all.
EDMUND How malicious is my fortune that I must 10 repent to be just! This is the letter he spoke of, which approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of France. O heavens, that this treason were not, or not I the detector. CORNWALL Go with me to the Duchess. 15 EDMUND If the matter of this paper be certain, you have mighty business in hand.	Edmund holds up the incriminating letter and says something like: "It's just so awful that I have to tell on my own father, who is clearly a spy and informant for France."
CORNWALL True or false, it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our apprehension.	Cornwall says that whether the letter is true or false doesn't matter. Edmund has shown great loyalty, so he's going to be the new Earl of Gloucester either way.
EDMUND, aside If I find him comforting the King, it will stuff his suspicion more fully.—I will persevere in my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore between that and my blood. CORNWALL I will lay trust upon thee, and thou shalt 25 find a dearer father in my love. They exit.	As they head off to find Gloucester and bring him back for punishment, Edmund confides to the audience that he's hoping to find his father comforting Lear, because that will make him look even guiltier in Cornwall's eyes.