Draw thy sword,
That if my speech offend a noble heart,
Thy arm may do thee justice. Here is mine.
Behold, it is my privilege, the privilege of mine honours,
My oath, and my profession. I protest,
Maugre thy strength, place, youth, and eminence,
Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune,
Thy valor, and thy heart, thou art a traitor,
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father,
Conspirant ‘gainst this high illustrious prince,
And from th’ extremest upward of thy head
To the descent and dust below thy foot,
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou "no,"
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits are bent
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak,
Thou liest.
– William Shakespeare
King Lear, Act 5, Scene 3. A disguised Edgar draws his sword and accuses his half-brother Edmund of committing treason and being a liar before they duel. Edmund has been exposed as a traitor for plotting against the Duke of Albany with Albany’s wife Goneril, with both intending to murder him and marry each other. Edgar says that Edmund has betrayed the gods, his brother, his father and plotted against the noble Duke. The duel between the brothers in the last act is symbolic of the ongoing war between good and evil.