70. quality or degree: high rank or noble birth 71. maintain upon: accuse 72. manifold traitor: is a traitor in many ways
73. He … defence: He will fight strongly to defend himself.
115
HERALD [Reads] ‘If any man of quality or degree70 within the lists of the army will maintain upon71 Edmund, supposed Earl of Gloucester, that he is a manifold traitor,72 let him appear by the third sound of the trumpet. He is bold in his defence.’73
First trumpet.
HERALD Again! Second trumpet.
74. armed: Although it is not stated, it is to be assumed that Edgar is disguised by his helmet. He now appears as a fighting man rather than in any of his previous disguises.
75. purposes: intentions
HERALD Again! Third trumpet. Trumpet answers within. Enter EDGAR (armed).74
ALBANY Ask him his purposes,75 why he appears Upon this call o’ the trumpet.
HERALD What are you? 76. quality: rank in the nobility 120
Your name? Your quality?76 And why you answer This present summons?
EDGAR Know, my name is lost:
77. Know … canker-bit: My name and title has been destroyed by treason as a plant is eaten by worms.
78. cope: fight in combat
By treason’s tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit;77 Yet am I noble as the adversary I come to cope.78
