The Tragedy of Edward II (Play) Full Text Script

The Tragedy of Edward II

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

KING EDWARD THE SECOND.

PRINCE EDWARD, his son, afterwards KING EDWARD THE THIRD.

KENT, brother to KING EDWARD THE SECOND.

GAVESTON.

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

BISHOP OF COVENTRY.

BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.

WARWICK.

LANCASTER.

PEMBROKE.

ARUNDER.

LEICESTER.

BERKELEY.

MORTIMER the elder.

MORTIMER the younger, his nephew.

SPENSER the elder.

SPENSER the younger, his son.

BALDOCK.

BAUMONT.

TRUSSEL.

GURNEY.

MATREVIS.

LIGHTBORN.

SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT.

LEVUNE.

RICE AP HOWEL.

ABBOT.

MONKS.

HERALD.

LORDS, POOR MEN, JAMES, MOWER, CHAMPION,

听听听MESSENGERS, SOLDIERS, and ATTENDANTS.

QUEEN ISABELLA, wife to KING EDWARD THE SECOND.

NIECE to KING EDWARD THE SECOND, _daughter to

听听听迟丑别 DUKE OF GLOCESTER.

LADIES.

EDWARD II

Enter GAVESTON, reading a letter.

Gav. My father is deceas'd. Come, Gaveston,

听听听And share the kingdom with thy dearest friend.

听听听Ah, words that make me surfeit with delight!

听听听What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston

听听听Than live and be the favourite of a king!

听听听Sweet prince, I come! these, thy amorous lines

听听听Might have enforc'd me to have swum from France,

听听听And, like Leander, gasp'd upon the sand,

听听听So thou wouldst smile, and take me in thine arms.

听听听The sight of London to my exil'd eyes

听听听Is as Elysium to a new-come soul:

听听听Not that I love the city or the men,

听听听But that it harbours him I hold so dear,鈥�

听听听The king, upon whose bosom let me lie,

听听听And with the world be still at enmity.

听听听What need the arctic people love star-light,

听听听To whom the sun shines both by day and night?

听听听Farewell base stooping to the lordly peers!

听听听My knee shall bow to none but to the king.

听听听As for the multitude, that are but sparks,

听听听Rak'd up in embers of their poverty,鈥�

听听听Tanti,鈥擨'll fawn first on the wind,

听听听That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away.

Enter three Poor Men.

听听听But how now! what are these?

Poor Men. Such as desire your worship's service.

Gav. What canst thou do?

First P. Man. I can ride.

Gav. But I have no horse.鈥擶hat art thou?

Sec. P. Man. A traveller.

Gav. Let me see; thou wouldst do well

听听听To wait at my trencher, and tell me lies at dinner-time;

听听听And, as I like your discoursing, I'll have you.鈥�

听听听And what art thou?

Third P. Man. A soldier, that hath serv'd against the Scot.

Gav. Why, there are hospitals for such as you:

听听听I have no war; and therefore, sir, be gone.

Third P. Man. Farewell, and perish by a soldier's hand,

听听听That wouldst reward them with an hospital!

Gav. Ay, ay, these words of his move me as much

听听听As if a goose should play the porcupine,

听听听And dart her plumes, thinking to pierce my breast.

听听听But yet it is no pain to speak men fair;

听听听I'll flatter these, and make them live in hope.鈥� [Aside.

听听听You know that I came lately out of France,

听听听And yet I have not view'd my lord the king:

听听听If I speed well, I'll entertain you all.

All. We thank your worship.

Gav. I have some business: leave me to myself.

All. We will wait here about the court.

Gav. Do. [Exeunt Poor Men.

听听听听听听听听听听听听These are not men for me;

听听听I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits,

听听听Musicians, that with touching of a string

听听听May draw the pliant king which way I please:

听听听Music and poetry is his delight;

听听听Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night,

听听听Sweet speeches, comedies, and pleasing shows;

听听听And in the day, when he shall walk abroad,

听听听Like sylvan nymphs my pages shall be clad;

听听听My men, like satyrs grazing on the lawns,

听听听Shall with their goat-feet dance the antic hay;

听听听Sometime a lovely boy in Dian's shape,

听听听With hair that gilds the water as it glides

听听听Crownets of pearl about his naked arms,

听听听And in his sportful hands an olive-tree,

听听听To hide those parts which men delight to see,

听听听Shall bathe him in a spring; and there, hard by,

听听听One like Act忙on, peeping through the grove,

听听听Shall by the angry goddess be transform'd,

听听听And running in the likeness of an hart,

听听听By yelping hounds pull'd down, shall semm to die:

听听听Such things as these best please his majesty.鈥�

听听听Here comes my lord the king, and the nobles,

听听听From the parliament. I'll stand aside. [Retires.

Enter KING EDWARD, KENT, LANCASTER, the elder MORTIMER,

听听听听听听the younger MORTIMER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and

听听听听听听Attendants.

K. Edw. Lancaster!

Lan. My lord?

Gav. That Earl of Lancaster do I abhor. [Aside.

K. Edw. Will you not grant me this?鈥擨n spite of them

听听听I'll have my will; and these two Mortimers,

听听听That cross me thus, shall know I am displeased. [Aside.

E. Mor. If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston.

Gav. That villain Mortimer! I'll be his death. [Aside.

_Y. Mor. Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself,

听听听Were sworn to your father at his death,

听听听That he should ne'er return into the realm:

听听听And now, my lord, ere I will break my oath,

听听听This sword of mine, that should offend your foes,

听听听Shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need,

听听听And underneath thy banners march who will,

听听听For Mortimer will hang his armour up.

Gav. Mort dieu! [Aside.

K. Edw. Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee rue these words:

听听听Beseems it thee to contradict thy king?

听听听Frown'st thou thereat, aspiring Lancaster?

听听听The sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows,

听听听And hew these knees that now are grown so stiff.

听听听I will have Gaveston; and you shall know

听听听What danger 'tis to stand against your king.

Gav. Well done, Ned! [Aside.

Lan. My lord, why do you thus incense your peers,

听听听That naturally would love and honour you,

听听听But for that base and obscure Gaveston?

听听听Four earldoms have I, besides Lancaster,鈥�

听听听Derby, Salisbury, Lincoln, Leicester;

听听听These will I sell, to give my soldiers pay,

听听听Ere Gaveston shall stay within the realm:

听听听Therefore, if he be come, expel him straight.

Kent. Barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute;

听听听But know I'll speak, and to the proof, I hope.

听听听I do remember, in my father's days,

听听听Lord Percy of the North, being highly mov'd,

听听听Brav'd Mowbray in presence of the king;

听听听For which, had not his highness lov'd him well,

听听听He should have lost his head; but with his look

听听听Th' undaunted spirit of Percy was appeas'd,

听听听And Mowbray and he were reconcil'd:

听听听Yet dare you brave the king unto his face.鈥�

听听听Brother, revenge it, and let these their heads

听听听Preach upon poles, for trespass of their tongues.

War. O, our heads!

K. Edw. Ay, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant.

War. Bridle thy anger, gentle Mortimer.

Y. Mor. I cannot, nor I will not; I must speak.鈥�

听听听Cousin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads,

听听听And strike off his that makes you threaten us.鈥�

听听听Come, uncle, let us leave the brain-sick king,

听听听And henceforth parley with our naked swords.

E. Mor. Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads.

War. All Warwickshire will leave him for my sake.

Lan. And northward Lancaster hath many friends.鈥�

听听听Adieu, my lord; and either change your mind,

听听听Or look to see the throne, where you should sit,

听听听To float in blood, and at thy wanton head

听听听The glozing head of thy base minion thrown.

听听听听听听听[Exeunt all except King Edward, Kent, Gaveston,

听听听听听听听听听听and attendants.

K. Edw. I cannot brook these haughty menaces:

听听听Am I a king, and must be over-rul'd!鈥�

听听听Brother, display my ensigns in the field:

听听听I'll bandy with the barons and the earls,

听听听And either die or live with Gaveston.

Gav. I can no longer keep me from my lord. [Comes forward.

K. Edw. What, Gaveston! welcome! Kiss not my hand:

听听听Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee.

听听听Why shouldst thou kneel? know'st thou not who I am?

听听听Thy friend, thyself, another Gaveston:

听听听Not Hylas was more mourned for of Hercules

听听听Than thou hast been of me since thy exile.

Gav. And, since I went from hence, no soul in hell

听听听Hath felt more torment than poor Gaveston.

K. Edw. I know it.鈥擝rother, welcome home my friend.鈥�

听听听Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire,

听听听And that high-minded Earl of Lancaster:

听听听I have my wish, in that I joy thy sight;

听听听And sooner shall the sea o'erwhelm my land

听听听Than bear the ship that shall transport thee hence.

听听听I here create thee Lord High-chamberlain,

听听听Chief Secretary to the state and me,

听听听Earl of Cornwall, King and Lord of Man.

Gav. My lord, these titles far exceed my worth.

Kent. Brother, the least of these may well suffice

听听听For one of greater birth than Gaveston.

K. Edw. Cease, brother, for I cannot brook these words.鈥�

听听听Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts:

听听听Therefore, to equal it, receive my heart.

听听听If for these dignities thou be envied,

听听听I'll give thee more; for, but to honour thee,

听听听Is Edward pleas'd with kingly regiment.

听听听Fear'st thou thy person? thou shalt have a guard:

听听听Wantest thou gold? go to my treasury:

听听听Wouldst thou be lov'd and fear'd? receive my seal,

听听听Save or condemn, and in our name command

听听听What so thy mind affects, or fancy likes.

Gav. It shall suffice me to enjoy your love;

听听听Which whiles I have, I think myself as great

听听听As C忙sar riding in the Roman street,

听听听With captive kings at his triumphant car.

Enter the BISHOP OF COVENTRY.

K. Edw. Whither goes my Lord of Coventry so fast? Bish. of Cov. To celebrate your father's exequies. But is that wicked Gaveston return'd? K. Edw. Ay, priest, and lives to be reveng'd on thee, That wert the only cause of his exile. Gav. 'Tis true; and, but for reverence of these robes, Thou shouldst not plod one foot beyond this place. Bish. of Cov. I did no more than I was bound to do: And, Gaveston, unless thou be reclaim'd, As then I did incense the parliament, So will I now, and thou shalt back to France. Gav. Saving your reverence, you must pardon me. K. Edw. Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole, And in the channel christen him anew. Kent. Ay, brother, lay not violent hands on him! For he'll complain unto the see of Rome. Gav. Let him complain unto the see of hell: I'll be reveng'd on him for my exile. K. Edw. No, spare his life, but seize upon his goods: Be thou lord bishop, and receive his rents, And make him serve thee as thy chaplain: I give him thee; here, use him as thou wilt. Gav. He shall to prison, and there die in bolts. K. Edw. Ay, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt. Bish. of Cov. For this offence be thou accurs'd of God! K. Edw. Who's there? Convey this priest to the Tower. Bish. of Cov. True, true. K. Edw. But, in the meantime, Gaveston, away, And take possession of his house and goods. Come, follow me, and thou shalt have my guard To see it done, and bring thee safe again. Gav. What should a priest do with so fair a house? A prison may beseem his holiness. [Exeunt.

听Enter, on one side, the elder MORTIMER, and the younger

听听听MORTIMER; on the other, WARWICK, and LANCASTER.

War. 'Tis true, the bishop is in the Tower,

听听听And goods and body given to Gaveston.

Lan. What, will they tyrannise upon the church?

听听听Ah, wicked King! accursed Gaveston!

听听听This ground, which is corrupted with their steps,

听听听Shall be their timeless sepulchre or mine.

Y. Mor. Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure;

听听听Unless his breast be sword-proof, he shall die.

E. Mor. How now! why droops the Earl of Lancaster?

Y. Mor. Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent?

Lan. That villain Gaveston is made an earl.

E. Mor. An earl!

War. Ay, and besides Lord-chamberlain of the realm,

听听听And Secretary too, and Lord of Man.

E. Mor. We may not nor we will not suffer this.

Y. Mor. Why post we not from hence to levy men?

Lan. "My Lord of Cornwall" now at every word;

听听听And happy is the man whom he vouchsafes,

听听听For vailing of his bonnet, one good look.

听听听Thus, arm in arm, the king and he doth march:

听听听Nay, more, the guard upon his lordship waits,

听听听And all the court begins to flatter him.

War. Thus leaning on the shoulder of the king,

听听听He nods, and scorns, and smiles at those that pass.

E. Mor. Doth no man take exceptions at the slave?

Lan. All stomach him, but none dare speak a word.

Y. Mor. Ah, that bewrays their baseness, Lancaster!

听听听Were all the earls and barons of my mind,

听听听We'd hale him from the bosom of the king,

听听听And at the court-gate hang the peasant up,

听听听Who, swoln with venom of ambitious pride,

听听听Will be the ruin of the realm and us.

War. Here comes my Lord of Canterbury's grace.

Lan. His countenance bewrays he is displeas'd.

听听听听Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, and an

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Attendant.

Archb. of Cant. First, were his sacred garments rent and torn;

听听听Then laid they violent hands upon him; next,

听听听Himself imprison'd, and his goods asseiz'd:

听听听This certify the Pope: away, take horse. [Exit Attendant.

Lan. My lord, will you take arms against the king?

Archb. of Cant. What need I? God himself is up in arms

听听听When violence is offer'd to the church.

Y. Mor. Then will you join with us, that be his peers,

听听听To banish or behead that Gaveston?

Archb. of Cant. What else, my lords? for it concerns me near;

听听听The bishoprick of Coventry is his.

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA.

Y. Mor. Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast?

Q. Isab. Unto the forest, gentle Mortimer,

听听听To live in grief and baleful discontent;

听听听For now my lord the king regards me not,

听听听But dotes upon the love of Gaveston:

听听听He claps his cheeks, and hangs about his neck,

听听听Smiles in his face, and whispers in his ears;

听听听And, when I come, he frowns, as who should say,

听听听"Go whither thou wilt, seeing I have Gaveston."

E. Mor. Is it not strange that he is thus bewitch'd?

Y. Mor. Madam, return unto the court again:

听听听That sly inveigling Frenchman we'll exile,

听听听Or lose our lives; and yet, ere that day come,

听听听The king shall lose his crown; for we have power,

听听听And courage too, to be reveng'd at full.

Archb. of Cant. But yet lift not your swords against the king.

Lan. No; but we will lift Gaveston from hence.

War. And war must be the means, or he'll stay still.

Q. Isab. Then let him stay; for, rather than my lord

听听听Shall be oppress'd with civil mutinies,

听听听I will endure a melancholy life,

听听听And let him frolic with his minion.

Archb. of Cant. My lords, to ease all this, but hear me speak:

听听听We and the rest, that are his counsellors,

听听听Will meet, and with a general consent

听听听Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals.

Lan. What we confirm the king will frustrate.

Y. Mor. Then may we lawfully revolt from him.

War. But say, my lord, where shall this meeting be?

Archb. of Cant. At the New Temple.

Y. Mor. Content.

Archb. of Cant. And, in the meantime, I'll entreat you all

听听听To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me.

Lan. Come, then, let's away.

Y. Mor. Madam, farewell.

Q. Isab. Farewell, sweet Mortimer, and, for my sake,

听听听Forbear to levy arms against the king.

Y. Mor. Ay, if words will serve; if not, I must. [Exeunt.

Enter GAVESTON and KENT.

Gav. Edmund, the mighty prince of Lancaster,

听听听That hath more earldoms than an ass can bear,

听听听And both the Mortimers, two goodly men,

听听听With Guy of Warwick, that redoubted knight,

听听听Are gone towards Lambeth: there let them remain. [Exeunt.

Enter LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, the elder

听听听听MORTIMER, the younger MORTIMER, the ARCHBISHOP

听听听听OF CANTERBURY, and Attendants.

Lan. Here is the form of Gaveston's exile; May it please your lordship to subscribe your name. Archb. of Cant. Give me the paper. [He subscribes, as the others do after him. Lan. Quick, quick, my lord; I long to write my name. War. But I long more to see him banish'd hence. Y. Mor. The name of Mortimer shall fright the king, Unless he be declin'd from that base peasant.

Enter KING EDWARD, GAVESTON, and KENT.

K. Edw. What, are you mov'd that Gaveston sits here?

听听听It is our pleasure; we will have it so.

Lan. Your grace doth well to place him by your side,

听听听For nowhere else the new earl is so safe.

E. Mor. What man of noble birth can brook this sight?

听听听Quam male conveniunt!鈥�

听听听See, what a scornful look the peasant casts!

Pem. Can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants?

War. Ignoble vassal, that, like Phaeton,

听听听Aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun!

Y. Mor. Their downfall is at hand, their forces down:

听听听We will not thus be fac'd and over-peer'd.

K. Edw. Lay hands on that traitor Mortimer!

E. Mor. Lay hands on that traitor Gaveston!

Kent. Is this the duty that you owe your king?

War. We know our duties; let him know his peers.

K. Edw. Whither will you bear him? stay, or ye shall die.

E. Mor. We are no traitors; therefore threaten not.

Gav. No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home.

听听听Were I a king鈥�

Y. Mor. Thou, villain! wherefore talk'st thou of a king,

听听听That hardly art a gentleman by birth?

K. Edw. Were he a peasant, being my minion,

听听听I'll make the proudest of you stoop to him.

Lan. My lord鈥攜ou may not thus disparage us.鈥�

听听听Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston!

E. Mor. And with the Earl of Kent that favours him.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Attendants remove Gaveston and Kent.

K. Edw. Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king:

听听听Here, Mortimer, sit thou in Edward's throne;

听听听Warwick and Lancaster, wear you my crown.

听听听Was ever king thus over-rul'd as I?

Lan. Learn, then, to rule us better, and the realm.

Y. Mor. What we have done, our heart-blood shall maintain.

War. Think you that we can brook this upstart['s] pride?

K. Edw. Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech.

Archb. of Cant. Why are you not mov'd? be patient, my lord,

听听听And see what we your counsellors have done.

Y. Mor. My lords, now let us all be resolute,

听听听And either have our wills, or lose our lives.

K. Edw. Meet you for this, proud over-daring peers!

听听听Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me,

听听听This isle shall fleet upon the ocean,

听听听And wander to the unfrequented Inde.

Archb. of Cant. You know that I am legate to the Pope:

听听听On your allegiance to the see of Rome,

听听听Subscribe, as we have done, to his exile.

Y. Mor. Curse him, if he refuse; and then may we

听听听Depose him, and elect another king.

K. Edw. Ay, there it goes! but yet I will not yield:

听听听Curse me, depose me, do the worst you can.

Lan. Then linger not, my lord, but do it straight.

Archb. of Cant. Remember how the bishop was abus'd:

听听听Either banish him that was the cause thereof,

听听听Or I will presently discharge these lords

听听听Of duty and allegiance due to thee.

K. Edw. It boots me not to threat; I must speak fair:

听听听The legate of the Pope will be obey'd.鈥� [Aside.

听听听My lord, you shall be Chancellor of the realm;

听听听Thou, Lancaster, High-Admiral of our fleet;

听听听Young Mortimer and his uncle shall be earls;

听听听And you, Lord Warwick, President of the North;

听听听And thou of Wales. If this content you not,

听听听Make several kingdoms of this monarchy,

听听听And share it equally amongst you all,

听听听So I may have some nook or corner left,

听听听To frolic with my dearest Gaveston.

Archb. of Cant. Nothing shall alter us; we are resolv'd.

Lan. Come, come, subscribe.

Y. Mor. Why should you love him whom the world hates so?

K. Edw. Because he loves me more than all the world.

听听听Ah, none but rude and savage-minded men

听听听Would seek the ruin of my Gaveston!

听听听You that be noble-born should pity him.

War. You that are princely-born should shake him off:

听听听For shame, subscribe, and let the clown depart.

E. Mor. Urge him, my lord.

Archb. of Cant. Are you content to banish him the realm?

K. Edw. I see I must, and therefore am content:

听听听Instead of ink, I'll write it with my tears. [Subscribes.

Y. Mor. The king is love-sick for his minion.

K. Edw. 'Tis done: and now, accursed hand, fall off!

Lan. Give it me: I'll have it publish'd in the streets.

Y. Mor. I'll see him presently despatch'd away.

Archb. of Cant. Now is my heart at ease.

War. And so is mine.

Pem. This will be good news to the common sort.

E. Mor. Be it or no, he shall not linger here.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt all except King Edward.

K. Edw. How fast they run to banish him I love!

听听听They would not stir, were it to do me good.

听听听Why should a king be subject to a priest?

听听听Proud Rome, that hatchest such imperial grooms,

听听听With these thy superstitious taper-lights,

听听听Wherewith thy antichristian churches blaze,

听听听I'll fire thy crazed buildings, and enforce

听听听The papal towers to kiss the lowly ground,

听听听With slaughter'd priests make Tiber's channel swell,

听听听And banks rais'd higher with their sepulchres!

听听听As for the peers, that back the clergy thus,

听听听If I be king, not one of them shall live.

Re-enter GAVESTON.

Gav. My lord, I hear it whisper'd everywhere,

听听听That I am banish'd and must fly the land.

K. Edw. 'Tis true, sweet Gaveston: O were it false!

听听听The legate of the Pope will have it so,

听听听And thou must hence, or I shall be depos'd.

听听听But I will reign to be reveng'd of them;

听听听And therefore, sweet friend, take it patiently.

听听听Live where thou wilt, I'll send thee gold enough;

听听听And long thou shalt not stay; or, if thou dost,

听听听I'll come to thee; my love shall ne'er decline.

Gav. Is all my hope turn'd to this hell of grief?

K. Edw. Rend not my heart with thy too-piercing words:

听听听Thou from this land, I from myself am banish'd.

Gav. To go from hence grieves not poor Gaveston;

听听听But to forsake you, in whose gracious looks

听听听The blessedness of Gaveston remains;

听听听For nowhere else seeks he felicity.

K. Edw. And only this torments my wretched soul,

听听听That, whether I will or no, thou must depart.

听听听Be governor of Ireland in my stead,

听听听And there abide till fortune call thee home.

听听听Here, take my picture, and let me wear thine:

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[They exchange pictures.

听听听O, might I keep thee here, as I do this,

听听听Happy were I! but now most miserable.

Gav. 'Tis something to be pitied of a king.

K. Edw. Thou shalt not hence; I'll hide thee, Gaveston.

Gav. I shall be found, and then 'twill grieve me more.

K. Edw. Kind words and mutual talk makes our grief greater:

听听听Therefore, with dumb embracement, let us part,

听听听Stay, Gaveston; I cannot leave thee thus.

Gav. For every look, my love drops down a tear:

听听听Seeing I must go, do not renew my sorrow.

K. Edw. The time is little that thou hast to stay,

听听听And, therefore, give me leave to look my fill.

听听听But, come, sweet friend; I'll bear thee on thy way.

Gav. The peers will frown.

K. Edw. I pass not for their anger. Come, let's go:

听听听O, that we might as well return as go!

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA.

Q. Isab. Whither goes my lord?

K. Edw. Fawn not on me, French strumpet; get thee gone!

Q. Isab. On whom but on my husband should I fawn?

Gav. On Mortimer; with whom, ungentle queen,鈥�

听听听I judge no more鈥攋udge you the rest, my lord.

Q. Isab. In saying this, thou wrong'st me, Gaveston:

听听听Is't not enough that thou corrupt'st my lord,

听听听And art a bawd to his affections,

听听听But thou must call mine honour thus in question?

Gav. I mean not so; your grace must pardon me.

K. Edw. Thou art too familiar with that Mortimer,

听听听And by thy means is Gaveston exil'd:

听听听But I would wish thee reconcile the lords,

听听听Or thou shalt ne'er be reconcil'd to me.

Q. Isab. Your highness knows, it lies not in my power.

K. Edw. Away, then! touch me not.鈥擟ome, Gaveston.

Q. Isab. Villain, 'tis thou that robb'st me of my lord.

Gav. Madam, 'tis you that rob me of my lord.

K. Edw. Speak not unto her: let her droop and pine.

Q. Isab. Wherein, my lord, have I deserv'd these words?

听听听Witness the tears that Isabella sheds,

听听听Witness this heart, that, sighing for thee, breaks,

听听听How dear my lord is to poor Isabel!

K. Edw. And witness heaven how dear thou art to me:

听听听There weep; for, till my Gaveston be repeal'd,

听听听Assure thyself thou com'st not in my sight.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt King Edward and Gaveston.

Q. Isab. O miserable and distressed queen!

听听听Would, when I left sweet France, and was embarked,

听听听That charming Circe, walking on the waves,

听听听Had chang'd my shape! or at the marriage-day

听听听The cup of Hymen had been full of poison!

听听听Or with those arms, that twin'd about my neck,

听听听I had been stifled, and not liv'd to see

听听听The king my lord thus to abandon me!

听听听Like frantic Juno, will I fill the earth

听听听With ghastly murmur of my sighs and cries;

听听听For never doted Jove on Ganymede

听听听So much as he on cursed Gaveston:

听听听But that will more exasperate his wrath;

听听听I must entreat him, I must speak him fair,

听听听And be a means to call home Gaveston:

听听听And yet he'll ever dote on Gaveston;

听听听And so am I for ever miserable.

听听Re-enter LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, the elder

听听听听听听听MORTIMER, and the younger MORTIMER.

Lan. Look, where the sister of the king of France

听听听Sits wringing of her hands and beats her breast!

War. The king, I fear, hath ill-treated her.

Pem. Hard is the heart that injures such a saint.

Y. Mor. I know 'tis 'long of Gaveston she weeps.

E. Mor. Why, he is gone.

Y. Mor. Madam, how fares your grace?

Q. Isab. Ah, Mortimer, now breaks the king's hate forth,

听听听And he confesseth that he loves me not!

Y. Mor. Cry quittance, madam, then, and love not him.

Q. Isab. No, rather will I die a thousand deaths:

听听听And yet I love in vain; he'll ne'er love me.

Lan. Fear ye not, madam; now his minion's gone,

听听听His wanton humour will be quickly left.

Q. Isab. O, never, Lancaster! I am enjoin'd,

听听听To sue unto you all for his repeal:

听听听This wills my lord, and this must I perform,

听听听Or else be banish'd from his highness' presence.

Lan. For his repeal, madam! he comes not back,

听听听Unless the sea cast up his shipwreck'd body.

War. And to behold so sweet a sight as that,

听听听There's none here but would run his horse to death.

Y. Mor. But, madam, would you have us call him home?

Q. Isab. Ay, Mortimer, for, till he be restor'd,

听听听The angry king hath banish'd me the court;

听听听And, therefore, as thou lov'st and tender'st me,

听听听Be thou my advocate unto these peers.

Y. Mor. What, would you have me plead for Gaveston?

E. Mor. Plead for him that will, I am resolv'd.

Lan. And so am I, my lord: dissuade the queen.

Q. Isab. O, Lancaster, let him dissuade the king!

听听听For 'tis against my will he should return.

War. Then speak not for him; let the peasant go.

Q. Isab. 'Tis for myself I speak, and not for him.

Pem. No speaking will prevail; and therefore cease.

Y. Mor. Fair queen, forbear to angle for the fish

听听听Which, being caught, strikes him that takes it dead;

听听听I mean that vile torpedo, Gaveston,

听听听That now, I hope, floats on the Irish seas.

Q. Isab. Sweet Mortimer, sit down by me a while,

听听听And I will tell thee reasons of such weight

听听听As thou wilt soon subscribe to his repeal.

Y. Mor. It is impossible: but speak your mind.

Q. Isab. Then, thus;鈥攂ut none shall hear it but ourselves.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Talks to Y. Mor. apart.

Lan. My lords, albeit the queen win Mortimer,

听听听Will you be resolute and hold with me?

E. Mor. Not I, against my nephew.

Pem. Fear not; the queen's words cannot alter him.

War. No? do but mark how earnestly she pleads!

Lan. And see how coldly his looks make denial!

War. She smiles: now, for my life, his mind is chang'd!

Lan. I'll rather lose his friendship, I, than grant.

Y. Mor. Well, of necessity it must be so.鈥�

听听听My lords, that I abhor base Gaveston

听听听I hope your honours make no question.

听听听And therefore, though I plead for his repeal,

听听听'Tis not for his sake, but to our avail;

听听听Nay, for the realm's behoof, and for the king's.

Lan. Fie, Mortimer, dishonour not thyself!

听听听Can this be true, 'twas good to banish him?

听听听And is this true, to call him home again?

听听听Such reasons make white black, and dark night day.

Y. Mor. My Lord of Lancaster, mark the respect.

Lan. In no respect can contraries be true.

Q. Isab. Yet, good my lord, hear what he can allege.

War. All that he speaks is nothing; we are resolv'd.

Y. Mor. Do you not wish that Gaveston were dead?

Pem. I would he were!

Y. Mor. Why, then, my lord, give me but leave to speak.

E. Mor. But, nephew, do not play the sophister.

Y. Mor. This which I urge is of a burning zeal

听听听To mend the king and do our country good.

听听听Know you not Gaveston hath store of gold,

听听听Which may in Ireland purchase him such friends

听听听As he will front the mightiest of us all?

听听听And whereas he shall live and be belov'd,

听听听'Tis hard for us to work his overthrow.

War. Mark you but that, my lord of Lancaster.

Y. Mor. But, were he here, detested as he is,

听听听How easily might some base slave be suborn'd

听听听To greet his lordship with a poniard,

听听听And none so much as blame the murderer,

听听听But rather praise him for that brave attempt,

听听听And in the chronicle enrol his name

听听听For purging of the realm of such a plague!

Pem. He saith true.

Lan. Ay, but how chance this was not done before?

Y. Mor. Because, my lords, it was not thought upon.

听听听Nay, more, when he shall know it lies in us

听听听To banish him, and then to call him home,

听听听'Twill make him vail the top flag of his pride,

听听听And fear to offend the meanest nobleman.

E. Mor. But how if he do not, nephew?

Y. Mor. Then may we with some colour rise in arms;

听听听For, howsoever we have borne it out,

听听听'Tis treason to be up against the king;

听听听So shall we have the people of our side,

听听听Which, for his father's sake, lean to the king,

听听听But cannot brook a night-grown mushroom,

听听听Such a one as my Lord of Cornwall is,

听听听Should bear us down of the nobility:

听听听And, when the commons and the nobles join,

听听听'Tis not the king can buckler Gaveston;

听听听We'll pull him from the strongest hold he hath.

听听听My lords, if to perform this I be slack,

听听听Think me as base a groom as Gaveston.

Lan. On that condition Lancaster will grant.

War. And so will Pembroke and I.

E. Mor. And I.

Y. Mor. In this I count me highly gratified,

听听听And Mortimer will rest at your command.

Q. Isab. And when this favour Isabel forgets,

听听听Then let her live abandon'd and forlorn.鈥�

听听听But see, in happy time, my lord the king,

听听听Having brought the Earl of Cornwall on his way,

听听听Is new return'd. This news will glad him much:

听听听Yet not so much as me; I love him more

听听听Than he can Gaveston: would he lov'd me

听听听But half so much! then were I treble-blest.

Re-enter KING EDWARD, mourning.

K. Edw. He's gone, and for his absence thus I mourn:

听听听Did never sorrow go so near my heart

听听听As doth the want of my sweet Gaveston;

听听听And, could my crown's revenue bring him back,

听听听I would freely give it to his enemies,

听听听And think I gain'd, having bought so dear a friend.

Q. Isab. Hark, how he harps upon his minion!

K. Edw. My heart is as an anvil unto sorrow,

听听听Which beats upon it like the Cyclops' hammers,

听听听And with the noise turns up my giddy brain,

听听听And makes me frantic for my Gaveston.

听听听Ah, had some bloodless Fury rose from hell,

听听听And with my kingly sceptre struck me dead,

听听听When I was forc'd to leave my Gaveston!

Lan. Diablo, what passions call you these?

Q. Isab. My gracious lord, I come to bring you news.

K. Edw. That you have parled with your Mortimer?

Q. Isab. That Gaveston, my lord, shall be repeal'd.

K. Edw. Repeal'd! the news is too sweet to be true.

Q. Isab. But will you love me, if you find it so?

K. Edw. If it be so, what will not Edward do?

Q. Isab. For Gaveston, but not for Isabel.

K. Edw. For thee, fair queen, if thou lov'st Gaveston;

听听听I'll hang a golden tongue about thy neck,

听听听Seeing thou hast pleaded with so good success.

Q. Isab. No other jewels hang about my neck

听听听Than these, my lord; nor let me have more wealth

听听听Than I may fetch from this rich treasury.

听听听O, how a kiss revives poor Isabel!

K. Edw. Once more receive my hand; and let this be

听听听A second marriage 'twixt thyself and me.

Q. Isab. And may it prove more happy than the first!

听听听My gentle lord, bespeak these nobles fair,

听听听That wait attendance for a gracious look,

听听听And on their knees salute your majesty.

K. Edw. Courageous Lancaster, embrace thy king;

听听听And, as gross vapours perish by the sun,

听听听Even so let hatred with thy sovereign's smile:

听听听Live thou with me as my companion.

Lan. This salutation overjoys my heart.

K. Edw. Warwick shall be my chiefest counsellor:

听听听These silver hairs will more adorn my court

听听听Than gaudy silks or rich embroidery.

听听听Chide me, sweet Warwick, if I go astray.

War. Slay me, my lord, when I offend your grace.

K. Edw. In solemn triumphs and in public shows

听听听Pembroke shall bear the sword before the king.

Pem. And with this sword Pembroke will fight for you.

K. Edw. But wherefore walks young Mortimer aside?

听听听Be thou commander of our royal fleet;

听听听Or, if that lofty office like thee not,

听听听I make thee here Lord Marshal of the realm.

Y. Mor. My lord, I'll marshal so your enemies,

听听听As England shall be quiet, and you safe.

K. Edw. And as for you, Lord Mortimer of Chirke,

听听听Whose great achievements in our foreign war

听听听Deserve no common place nor mean reward,

听听听Be you the general of the levied troops

听听听That now are ready to assail the Scots.

E. Mor. In this your grace hath highly honour'd me,

听听听For with my nature war doth best agree.

Q. Isab. Now is the king of England rich and strong,

听听听Having the love of his renowmed peers.

K. Edw. Ay, Isabel, ne'er was my heart so light.鈥�

听听听Clerk of the crown, direct our warrant forth,

听听听For Gaveston, to Ireland!

Enter BEAUMONT with warrant.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Beaumont, fly

听听听As fast as Iris or Jove's Mercury.

Beau. It shall be done, my gracious lord. [Exit.

K. Edw. Lord Mortimer, we leave you to your charge.

听听听Now let us in, and feast it royally.

听听听Against our friend the Earl of Cornwall comes

听听听We'll have a general tilt and tournament;

听听听And then his marriage shall be solemnis'd;

听听听For wot you not that I have made him sure

听听听Unto our cousin, the Earl of Glocester's heir?

Lan. Such news we hear, my lord.

K. Edw. That day, if not for him, yet for my sake,

听听听Who in the triumph will be challenger,

听听听Spare for no cost; we will requite your love.

War. In this or aught your highness shall command us.

K. Edw. Thanks, gentle Warwick. Come, lets in and revel.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt all except the elder Mortimer and the

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听younger Mortimer.

E. Mor. Nephew, I must to Scotland; thou stay'st here.

听听听Leave now to oppose thyself against the king:

听听听Thou seest by nature he is mild and calm;

听听听And, seeing his mind so dotes on Gaveston,

听听听Let him without controlment have his will.

听听听The mightiest kings have had their minions;

听听听Great Alexander lov'd Heph忙stion,

听听听The conquering Hercules for Hylas wept,

听听听And for Patroclus stern Achilles droop'd

听听听And not kings only, but the wisest men;

听听听The Roman Tully lov'd Octavius,

听听听Grave Socrates wild Alcibiades.

听听听Then let his grace, whose youth is flexible,

听听听And promiseth as much as we can wish,

听听听Freely enjoy that vain light-headed earl;

听听听For riper years will wean him from such toys.

Y. Mor. Uncle, his wanton humour grieves not me;

听听听But this I scorn, that one so basely-born

听听听Should by his sovereign's favour grow so pert,

听听听And riot it with the treasure of the realm,

听听听While soldiers mutiny for want of pay.

听听听He wears a lord's revenue on his back,

听听听And, Midas-like, he jets it in the court,

听听听With base outlandish cullions at his heels,

听听听Whose proud fantastic liveries make such show

听听听As if that Proteus, god of shapes, appear'd.

听听听I have not seen a dapper Jack so brisk:

听听听He wears a short Italian hooded cloak,

听听听Larded with pearl, and in his Tuscan cap

听听听A jewel of more value than the crown.

听听听While others walk below, the king and he,

听听听From out a window, laugh at such as we,

听听听And flout our train, and jest at our attire.

听听听Uncle, 'tis this that makes me impatient.

E. Mor. But, nephew, now you see the king is chang'd.

Y. Mor. Then so I am, and live to do him service:

听听听But, whiles I have a sword, a hand, a heart,

听听听I will not yield to any such upstart.

听听听You know my mind: come, uncle, let's away. [Exeunt.

Enter the younger SPENSER and BALDOCK.

Bald. Spenser,

听听听Seeing that our lord the Earl of Glocester's dead,

听听听Which of the nobles dost thou mean to serve?

Y. Spen. Not Mortimer, nor any of his side,

听听听Because the king and he are enemies.

听听听Baldock, learn this of me: a factious lord

听听听Shall hardly do himself good, much less us;

听听听But he that hath the favour of a king

听听听May with one word advance us while we live.

听听听The liberal Earl of Cornwall is the man

听听听On whose good fortune Spenser's hope depends.

Bald. What, mean you, then, to be his follower?

Y. Spen. No, his companion; for he loves me well,

听听听And would have once preferr'd me to the king.

Bald. But he is banish'd; there's small hope of him.

Y. Spen. Ay, for a while; but, Baldock, mark the end.

听听听A friend of mine told me in secrecy

听听听That he's repeal'd and sent for back again;

听听听And even now a post came from the court

听听听With letters to our lady from the king;

听听听And, as she read, she smil'd; which makes me think

听听听It is about her lover Gaveston.

Bald. 'Tis like enough; for, since he was exil'd,

听听听She neither walks abroad nor comes in sight.

听听听But I had thought the match had been broke off,

听听听And that his banishment had chang'd her mind.

Y. Spen. Our lady's first love is not wavering;

听听听My life for thine, she will have Gaveston.

Bald. Then hope I by her means to be preferr'd,

听听听Having read unto her since she was a child.

Y. Spen. Then, Baldock, you must cast the scholar off,

听听听And learn to court it like a gentleman.

听听听'Tis not a black coat and a little band,

听听听A velvet-cap'd cloak, fac'd before with serge,

听听听And smelling to a nosegay all the day,

听听听Or holding of a napkin in your hand,

听听听Or saying a long grace at a table's end,

听听听Or making low legs to a nobleman,

听听听Or looking downward, with your eye-lids close,

听听听And saying, "Truly, an't may please your honour,"

听听听Can get you any favour with great men:

听听听You must be proud, bold, pleasant, resolute,

听听听And now and then stab, as occasion serves.

Bald. Spenser, thou know'st I hate such formal toys,

听听听And use them but of mere hypocrisy.

听听听Mine old lord, whiles he liv'd, was so precise,

听听听That he would take exceptions at my buttons,

听听听And, being like pins' heads, blame me for the bigness;

听听听Which made me curate-like in mine attire,

听听听Though inwardly licentious enough,

听听听And apt for any kind of villany.

听听听I am none of these common pedants, I,

听听听That cannot speak without propterea quod.

Y. Spen. But one of those that saith quando-quidem,

听听听And hath a special gift to form a verb.

Bald. Leave off this jesting; here my lady comes.

Enter KING EDWARD'S Niece.

Niece. The grief for his exile was not so much

听听听As is the joy of his returning home.

听听听This letter came from my sweet Gaveston:

听听听What need'st thou, love, thus to excuse thyself?

听听听I know thou couldst not come and visit me. [Reads.

听听听I will not long be from thee, though I die;鈥�

听听听This argues the entire love of my lord;鈥� [Reads.

听听听When I forsake thee, death seize on my heart!鈥�

听听听But stay thee here where Gaveston shall sleep.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Puts the letter into her bosom.

听听听Now to the letter of my lord the king:

听听听He wills me to repair unto the court,

听听听And meet my Gaveston: why do I stay,

听听听Seeing that he talks thus of my marriage day?鈥�

听听听Who's there? Baldock!

听听听See that my coach be ready; I must hence.

Bald. It shall be done, madam.

Niece. And meet me at the park-pale presently [Exit Baldock.

听听听Spenser, stay you, and bear me company,

听听听For I have joyful news to tell thee of;

听听听My lord of Cornwall is a-coming over,

听听听And will be at the court as soon as we.

Y. Spen. I knew the king would have him home again.

Niece. If all things sort out, as I hope they will,

听听听Thy service, Spenser, shall be thought upon.

Y. Spen. I humbly thank your ladyship.

Niece. Come, lead the way: I long till I am there. [Exeunt.

Enter KING EDWARD, QUEEN ISABELLA, KENT, LANCASTER,

听听听听听the younger MORTIMER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and

听听听听听Attendants.

K. Edw. The wind is good; I wonder why he stays:

听听听I fear me he is wreck'd upon the sea.

Q. Isab. Look, Lancaster, how passionate he is,

听听听And still his mind runs on his minion!

Lan. My lord,鈥�

K. Edw. How now! what news? is Gaveston arriv'd?

Y. Mor. Nothing but Gaveston! what means your grace?

听听听You have matters of more weight to think upon:

听听听The King of France sets foot in Normandy.

K. Edw. A trifle! we'll expel him when we please.

听听听But tell me, Mortimer, what's thy device

听听听Against the stately triumph we decreed?

Y. Mor. A homely one, my lord, not worth the telling.

K. Edw. Pray thee, let me know it.

Y. Mor. But, seeing you are so desirous, thus it is;

听听听A lofty cedar tree, fair flourishing,

听听听On whose top branches kingly eagles perch,

听听听And by the bark a canker creeps me up,

听听听And gets unto the highest bough of all;

听听听The motto, 脝que tandem.

K. Edw. And what is yours, my Lord of Lancaster?

Lan. My lord, mine's more obscure than Mortimer's.

听听听Pliny reports, there is a flying-fish

听听听Which all the other fishes deadly hate,

听听听And therefore, being pursu'd, it takes the air:

听听听No sooner is it up, but there's a fowl

听听听That seizeth it: this fish, my lord, I bear;

听听听The motto this, Undique mors est.

Kent. Proud Mortimer! ungentle Lancaster!

听听听Is this the love you bear your sovereign?

听听听Is this the fruit your reconcilement bears?

听听听Can you in words make show of amity,

听听听And in your shields display your rancorous minds?

听听听What call you this but private libelling

听听听Against the Earl of Cornwall and my brother?

Q. Isab. Sweet husband, be content; they all love you.

K. Edw. They love me not that hate my Gaveston.

听听听I am that cedar; shake me not too much;

听听听And you the eagles; soar ye ne'er so high,

听听听I have the jesses that will pull you down;

听听听And 脝que tandem shall that canker cry

听听听Unto the proudest peer of Britainy.

听听听Thou that compar'st him to a flying-fish,

听听听And threaten'st death whether he rise or fall,

听听听'Tis not the hugest monster of the sea,

听听听Nor foulest harpy, that shall swallow him.

Y. Mor. If in his absence thus he favours him,

听听听What will he do whenas he shall be present?

Lan. That shall we see: look, where his lordship come!

Enter GAVESTON.

K. Edw. My Gaveston! Welcome to Tynmouth! welcome to thy friend! Thy absence made me droop and pine away; For, as the lovers of fair Dana毛, When she was lock'd up in a brazen tower, Desir'd her more, and wax'd outrageous, So did it fare with me: and now thy sight Is sweeter far than was thy parting hence Bitter and irksome to my sobbing heart. Gav. Sweet lord and king, your speech preventeth mine; Yet have I words left to express my joy: The shepherd, nipt with biting winter's rage, Frolics not more to see the painted spring Than I do to behold your majesty. K. Edw. Will none of you salute my Gaveston? Lan. Salute him! yes.鈥擶elcome, Lord Chamberlain! Y. Mor. Welcome is the good Earl of Cornwall! War. Welcome, Lord Governor of the Isle of Man! Pem. Welcome, Master Secretary! Kent. Brother, do you hear them? K. Edw. Still will these earls and barons use me thus? Gav. My lord, I cannot brook these injuries. Q. Isab. Ay me, poor soul, when these begin to jar! [Aside. K. Edw. Return it to their throats; I'll be thy warrant. Gav. Base, leaden earls, that glory in your birth, Go sit at home, and eat your tenants' beef; And come not here to scoff at Gaveston, Whose mounting thoughts did never creep so low As to bestow a look on such as you. Lan. Yet I disdain not to do this for you. [Draws his sword, and offers to stab Gaveston. K. Edw. Treason! treason! where's the traitor? Pem. Here, here! K. Edw. Convey hence Gaveston; they'll murder him. Gav. The life of thee shall salve this foul disgrace. Y. Mor. Villain, thy life! unless I miss mine aim. [Wounds Gaveston. Q. Isab. Ah, furious Mortimer, what hast thou done. Y. Mor. No more than I would answer, were he slain. [Exit Gaveston with Attendants. K. Edw. Yes, more than thou canst answer, though he live: Dear shall you both abide this riotous deed: Out of my presence! come not near the court. Y. Mor. I'll not be barr'd the court for Gaveston. Lan. We'll hale him by the ears unto the block. K. Edw. Look to your own heads; his is sure enough. War. Look to your own crown, if you back him thus. Kent. Warwick, these words do ill beseem thy years. K. Edw. Nay, all of them conspire to cross me thus: But, if I live, I'll tread upon their heads That think with high looks thus to tread me down. Come, Edmund, let's away, and levy men: 'Tis war that must abate these barons' pride. [Exeunt King Edward, Queen Isabella, and Kent. War. Let's to our castles, for the king is mov'd. Y. Mor. Mov'd may he be, and perish in his wrath! Lan. Cousin, it is no dealing with him now; He means to make us stoop by force of arms: And therefore let us jointly here protest To prosecute that Gaveston to the death. Y. Mor. By heaven, the abject villain shall not live! War. I'll have his blood, or die in seeking it. Pem. The like oath Pembroke takes. Lan. And so doth Lancaster. Now send our heralds to defy the king; And make the people swear to put him down.

Enter a Messenger.

Y. Mor. Letters! from whence? Mes. From Scotland, my lord. [Giving letters to Mortimer. Lan. Why, how now, cousin! how fare all our friends? Y. Mor. My uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots. Lan. We'll have him ransom'd, man: be of good cheer. Y. Mor. They rate his ransom at five thousand pound. Who should defray the money but the king, Seeing he is taken prisoner in his wars? I'll to the king. Lan. Do, cousin, and I'll bear thee company. War. Meantime my Lord of Pembroke and myself Will to Newcastle here, and gather head. Y. Mor. About it, then, and we will follow you. Lan. Be resolute and full of secrecy. War. I warrant you. [Exit with Pembroke. Y. Mor. Cousin, an if he will not ransom him, I'll thunder such a peal into his ears As never subject did unto his king. Lan. Content; I'll bear my part.鈥擧ollo! who's there?

Enter Guard.

Y. Mor. Ay, marry, such a guard as this doth well. Lan. Lead on the way. Guard. Whither will your lordships? Y. Mor. Whither else but to the king? Guard. His highness is dispos'd to be alone. Lan. Why, so he may; but we will speak to him. Guard. You may not in, my lord. Y. Mor. May we not?

Enter KING EDWARD and KENT.

K. Edw. How now!

听听听What noise is this? who have we here? is't you? [Going.

Y. Mor. Nay, stay, my lord; I come to bring you news;

听听听Mine uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots.

K. Edw. Then ransom him.

Lan. 'Twas in your wars; you should ransom him.

Y. Mor. And you will ransom him, or else鈥�

Kent. What, Mortimer, you will not threaten him?

K. Edw. Quiet yourself; you shall have the broad seal,

听听听To gather for him th[o]roughout the realm.

Lan. Your minion Gaveston hath taught you this.

Y. Mor. My lord, the family of the Mortimers

听听听Are not so poor, but, would they sell their land,

听听听'Twould levy men enough to anger you.

听听听We never beg, but use such prayers as these.

K. Edw. Shall I still be haunted thus?

Y. Mor. Nay, now you are here alone, I'll speak my mind.

Lan. And so will I; and then, my lord, farewell.

Y. Mor. The idle triumphs, masks, lascivious shows,

听听听And prodigal gifts bestow'd on Gaveston,

听听听Have drawn thy treasury dry, and made thee weak;

听听听The murmuring commons, overstretched, break.

Lan. Look for rebellion, look to be depos'd:

听听听Thy garrisons are beaten out of France,

听听听And, lame and poor, lie groaning at the gates;

听听听The wild Oneil, with swarms of Irish kerns,

听听听Lives uncontroll'd within the English pale;

听听听Unto the walls of York the Scots make road,

听听听And, unresisted, drive away rich spoils.

Y. Mor. The haughty Dane commands the narrow seas,

听听听While in the harbour ride thy ships unrigg'd.

Lan. What foreign prince sends thee ambassadors?

Y. Mor. Who loves thee, but a sort of flatterers?

Lan. Thy gentle queen, sole sister to Valois,

听听听Complains that thou hast left her all forlorn.

Y. Mor. Thy court is naked, being bereft of those

听听听That make a king seem glorious to the world,

听听听I mean the peers, whom thou shouldst dearly love;

听听听Libels are cast against thee in the street;

听听听Ballads and rhymes made of thy overthrow.

Lan. The northern borderers, seeing their houses burnt,

听听听Their wives and children slain, run up and down,

听听听Cursing the name of thee and Gaveston.

Y. Mor. When wert thou in the field with banner spread,

听听听But once? and then thy soldiers march'd like players,

听听听With garish robes, not armour; and thyself,

听听听Bedaub'd with gold, rode laughing at the rest,

听听听Nodding and shaking of thy spangled crest,

听听听Where women's favours hung like labels down.

Lan. And thereof came it that the fleering Scots,

听听听To England's high disgrace, have made this jig;

听听听Maids of England, sore may you mourn,

听听听For your lemans you have lost at Bannocksbourn,鈥�

听听听With a heave and a ho!

听听听What weeneth the king of England

听听听So soon to have won Scotland!鈥�

听听听With a rombelow!

Y. Mor. Wigmore shall fly, to set my uncle free.

Lan. And, when 'tis gone, our swords shall purchase more.

听听听If you be mov'd, revenge it as you can:

听听听Look next to see us with our ensigns spread. [Exit with Y. Mortimer.

K. Edw. My swelling heart for very anger breaks:

听听听How oft have I been baited by these peers,

听听听And dare not be reveng'd, for their power is great!

听听听Yet, shall the crowning of these cockerels

听听听Affright a lion? Edward, unfold thy paws,

听听听And let their lives'-blood slake thy fury's hunger.

听听听If I be cruel and grow tyrannous,

听听听Now let them thank themselves, and rue too late.

Kent. My lord, I see your love to Gaveston

听听听Will be the ruin of the realm and you,

听听听For now the wrathful nobles threaten wars;

听听听And therefore, brother, banish him for ever.

K. Edw. Art thou an enemy to my Gaveston?

Kent. Ay; and it grieves me that I favour'd him.

K. Edw. Traitor, be gone! whine thou with Mortimer.

Kent. So will I, rather than with Gaveston.

K. Edw. Out of my sight, and trouble me no more!

Kent. No marvel though thou scorn thy noble peers,

听听听When I thy brother am rejected thus.

K. Edw. Away! [Exit Kent.

听听听Poor Gaveston, thou hast no friend but me!

听听听Do what they can, we'll live in Tynmouth here;

听听听And, so I walk with him about the walls,

听听听What care I though the earls begirt us round?

听听听Here comes she that is cause of all these jars.

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, with EDWARD'S NIECE, two Ladies,

听听听听听听听GAVESTON, BALDOCK, and the younger SPENSER.

Q. Isab. My lord, 'tis thought the earls are up in arms. K. Edw. Ay, and 'tis likewise thought you favour 'em. Q. Isab. Thus do you still suspect me without cause. Niece. Sweet uncle, speak more kindly to the queen. Gav. My lord, dissemble with her; speak her fair. K. Edw. Pardon me, sweet; I forgot myself. Q. Isab. Your pardon is quickly got of Isabel. K. Edw. The younger Mortimer is grown so brave, That to my face he threatens civil wars. Gav. Why do you not commit him to the Tower? K. Edw. I dare not, for the people love him well. Gav. Why, then, we'll have him privily made away. K. Edw. Would Lancaster and he had both carous'd A bowl of poison to each other's health! But let them go, and tell me what are these. Niece. Two of my father's servants whilst he liv'd: May't please your grace to entertain them now. K. Edw. Tell me, where wast thou born? what is thine arms? Bald. My name is Baldock, and my gentry I fetch from Oxford, not from heraldry. K. Edw. The fitter art thou, Baldock, for my turn. Wait on me, and I'll see thou shalt not want. Bald. I humbly thank your majesty. K. Edw. Knowest thou him, Gaveston. Gav. Ay, my lord; His name is Spenser; he is well allied: For my sake let him wait upon your grace; Scarce shall you find a man of more desert. K. Edw. Then, Spenser, wait upon me for his sake: I'll grace thee with a higher style ere long. Y. Spen. No greater titles happen unto me Than to be favour'd of your majesty! K. Edw. Cousin, this day shall be your marriage feast:鈥� And, Gaveston, think that I love thee well, To wed thee to our niece, the only heir Unto the Earl of Glocester late deceas'd. Gav. I know, my lord, many will stomach me; But I respect neither their love nor hate. K. Edw. The headstrong barons shall not limit me; He that I list to favour shall be great. Come, let's away; and, when the marriage ends, Have at the rebels and their complices! [Exeunt.

听听听听听听Enter KENT, LANCASTER, the younger MORTIMER,

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and others.

Kent. My lords, of love to this our native land,

听听听I come to join with you, and leave the king;

听听听And in your quarrel, and the realm's behoof,

听听听Will be the first that shall adventure life.

Lan. I fear me, you are sent of policy,

听听听To undermine us with a show of love.

War. He is your brother; therefore have we cause

听听听To cast the worst, and doubt of your revolt.

Kent. Mine honour shall be hostage of my truth:

听听听If that will not suffice, farewell, my lords.

Y. Mor. Stay, Edmund: never was Plantagenet

听听听False of his word; and therefore trust we thee.

Pem. But what's the reason you should leave him now?

Kent. I have inform'd the Earl of Lancaster.

Lan. And it sufficeth. Now, my lords, know this,

听听听That Gaveston is secretly arriv'd,

听听听And here in Tynmouth frolics with the king.

听听听Let us with these our followers scale the walls,

听听听And suddenly surprise them unawares.

Y. Mor. I'll give the onset.

War. And I'll follow thee.

Y. Mor. This tatter'd ensign of my ancestors,

听听听Which swept the desert shore of that Dead Sea

听听听Whereof we got the name of Mortimer,

听听听Will I advance upon this castle ['s] walls鈥�

听听听Drums, strike alarum, raise them from their sport,

听听听And ring aloud the knell of Gaveston!

Lan. None be so hardy as to touch the king;

听听听But neither spare you Gaveston nor his friends. [Exeunt.

听听听Enter, severally KING EDWARD and the younger

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听SPENSER.

K. Edw. O, tell me, Spenser, where is Gaveston? Y. Spen. I fear me he is slain, my gracious lord. K. Edw. No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill.

听听听听听Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, KING EDWARD'S Niece,

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听GAVESTON, and Nobles.

听听听Fly, fly, my lords; the earls have got the hold;

听听听Take shipping, and away to Scarborough:

听听听Spenser and I will post away by land.

Gav. O, stay, my lord! they will not injure you.

K. Edw. I will not trust them. Gaveston, away!

Gav. Farewell, my lord.

K. Edw. Lady, farewell.

Niece. Farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again.

K. Edw. Farewell, sweet Gaveston; and farewell, niece.

Q. Isab. No farewell to poor Isabel thy queen?

K. Edw. Yes, yes, for Mortimer your lover's sake.

Q. Isab. Heavens can witness, I love none but you.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt all except Queen Isabella.

听听听From my embracements thus he breaks away.

听听听O, that mine arms could close this isle about,

听听听That I might pull him to me where I would!

听听听Or that these tears, that drizzle from mine eyes,

听听听Had power to mollify his stony heart,

听听听That, when I had him, we might never part!

Enter LANCASTER, WARWICK, the younger MORTIMER, and

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听others. Alarums within.

Lan. I wonder how he scap'd.

Y. Mor. Who's this? the queen!

Q. Isab. Ay, Mortimer, the miserable queen,

听听听Whose pining heart her inward sighs have blasted,

听听听And body with continual mourning wasted:

听听听These hands are tir'd with haling of my lord

听听听From Gaveston, from wicked Gaveston;

听听听And all in vain; for, when I speak him fair,

听听听He turns away, and smiles upon his minion.

Y. Mor. Cease to lament, and tell us where's the king?

Q. Isab. What would you with the king? is't him you seek?

Lan. No, madam, but that cursed Gaveston:

听听听Far be it from the thought of Lancaster

听听听To offer violence to his sovereign!

听听听We would but rid the realm of Gaveston:

听听听Tell us where he remains, and he shall die.

Q. Isab. He's gone by water unto Scarborough:

听听听Pursue him quickly, and he cannot scape;

听听听The king hath left him, and his train is small.

War. Forslow no time, sweet Lancaster; let's march.

Y. Mor. How comes it that the king and he is parted?

Q. Isab. That thus your army, going several ways,

听听听Might be of lesser force, and with the power

听听听That he intendeth presently to raise,

听听听Be easily suppress'd: therefore be gone.

Y. Mor. Here in the river rides a Flemish hoy:

听听听Let's all aboard, and follow him amain.

Lan. The wind that bears him hence will fill our sails;

听听听Come, come, aboard! 'tis but an hour's sailing.

Y. Mor. Madam, stay you within this castle here.

Q. Isab. No, Mortimer; I'll to my lord the king.

Y. Mor. Nay, rather sail with us to Scarborough.

Q. Isab. You know the king is so suspicious

听听听As, if he hear I have but talk'd with you,

听听听Mine honour will be call'd in question;

听听听And therefore, gentle Mortimer, be gone.

Y. Mor. Madam, I cannot stay to answer you:

听听听But think of Mortimer as he deserves.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt all except Queen Isabella.

Q. Isab. So well hast thou deserv'd, sweet Mortimer,

听听听As Isabel could live with thee for ever.

听听听In vain I look for love at Edward's hand,

听听听Whose eyes are fix'd on none but Gaveston.

听听听Yet once more I'll importune him with prayer:

听听听If he be strange, and not regard my words,

听听听My son and I will over into France,

听听听And to the king my brother there complain

听听听How Gaveston hath robb'd me of his love:

听听听But yet, I hope, my sorrows will have end,

听听听And Gaveston this blessed day be slain. [Exit.

Enter GAVESTON, pursued.

Gav. Yet, lusty lords, I have escap'd your hands,

听听听Your threats, your 'larums, and your hot pursuits;

听听听And, though divorced from King Edward's eyes,

听听听Yet liveth Pierce of Gaveston unsurpris'd,

听听听Breathing in hope (malgrado all your beards,

听听听That muster rebels thus against your king)

听听听To see his royal sovereign once again.

Enter WARWICK, LANCASTER, PEMBROKE, the younger

听听听听听MORTIMER, Soldiers, JAMES and other Attendants of

听听听听听PENBROKE.

War. Upon him, soldiers! take away his weapons!

Y. Mor. Thou proud disturber of thy country's peace,

听听听Corrupter of thy king, cause of these broils,

听听听Base flatterer, yield! and, were it not for shame,

听听听Shame and dishonour to a soldier's name,

听听听Upon my weapon's point here shouldst thou fall,

听听听And welter in thy gore.

Lan. Monster of men,

听听听That, like the Greekish strumpet, train'd to arms

听听听And bloody wars so many valiant knights,

听听听Look for no other fortune, wretch, than death!

听听听King Edward is not here to buckler thee.

War. Lancaster, why talk'st thou to the slave?鈥�

听听听Go, soldiers, take him hence; for, by my sword,

听听听His head shall off.鈥擥aveston, short warning

听听听Shall serve thy turn: it is our country's cause

听听听That here severely we will execute

听听听Upon thy person.鈥擧ang him at a bough.

Gav. My lord,鈥�

War. Soldiers, have him away.鈥�

听听听But, for thou wert the favourite of a king,

听听听Thou shalt have so much honour at our hands.

Gav. I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive

听听听That heading is one, and hanging is the other,

听听听And death is all.

Enter ARUNDEL.

Lan. How now, my Lord of Arundel!

Arun. My lords, King Edward greets you all by me.

War. Arundel, say your message.

Arun. His majesty, hearing that you had taken Gaveston,

听听听Entreateth you by me, yet but he may

听听听See him before he dies; for why, he says,

听听听And sends you word, he knows that die he shall;

听听听And, if you gratify his grace so far,

听听听He will be mindful of the courtesy.

War. How now!

Gav. Renowmed Edward, how thy name

听听听Revives poor Gaveston!

War. No, it needeth not:

听听听Arundel, we will gratify the king

听听听In other matters; he must pardon us in this.鈥�

听听听Soldiers, away with him!

Gav. Why, my Lord of Warwick,

听听听Will now these short delays beget my hopes?

听听听I know it, lords, it is life you aim at,

听听听Yet grant King Edward this.

Y. Mor. Shalt thou appoint

听听听What we shall grant?鈥擲oldiers, away with him!鈥�

听听听Thus we'll gratify the king;

听听听We'll send his head by thee; let him bestow

听听听His tears on that, for that is all he gets

听听听Of Gaveston, or else his senseless trunk.

Lan. Not so, my lord, lest he bestow more cost

听听听In burying him than he hath ever earn'd.

Arun. My lords, it is his majesty's request,

听听听And in the honour of a king he swears,

听听听He will but talk with him, and send him back.

War. When, can you tell? Arundel, no; we wot

听听听He that the care of his realm remits,

听听听And drives his nobles to these exigents

听听听For Gaveston, will, if he seize him once,

听听听Violate any promise to possess him.

Arun. Then, if you will not trust his grace in keep,

听听听My lords, I will be pledge for his return.

Y. Mor. 'Tis honourable in thee to offer this;

听听听But, for we know thou art a noble gentleman,

听听听We will not wrong thee so,

听听听To make away a true man for a thief.

Gav. How mean'st thou, Mortimer? that is over-base.

Y. Mor. Away, base groom, robber of king's renown!

听听听Question with thy companions and mates.

Pem. My Lord Mortimer, and you, my lords, each one,

听听听To gratify the king's request therein,

听听听Touching the sending of this Gaveston,

听听听Because his majesty so earnestly

听听听Desires to see the man before his death,

听听听I will upon mine honour undertake

听听听To carry him, and bring him back again;

听听听Provided this, that you, my Lord of Arundel,

听听听Will join with me.

War. Pembroke, what wilt thou do?

听听听Cause yet more bloodshed? is it not enough

听听听That we have taken him, but must we now

听听听Leave him on "Had I wist," and let him go?

Pem. My lords, I will not over-woo your honours:

听听听But, if you dare trust Pembroke with the prisoner,

听听听Upon mine oath, I will return him back.

Arun. My Lord of Lancaster, what say you in this?

Lan. Why, I say, let him go on Pembroke's word.

Pem. And you, Lord Mortimer?

Y. Mor. How say you, my Lord of Warwick?

War. Nay, do your pleasures: I know how 'twill prove.

Pem. Then give him me.

Gav. Sweet sovereign, yet I come

听听听To see thee ere I die!

War. Yet not perhaps,

听听听If Warwick's wit and policy prevail. [Aside.

Y. Mor. My Lord of Pembroke, we deliver him you:

听听听Return him on your honour.鈥擲ound, away!

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt all except Pembroke, Arundel, Gaveston, James

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听and other attendants of Pembroke.

Pem. My lord, you shall go with me:

听听听My house is not far hence; out of the way

听听听A little; but our men shall go along.

听听听We that have pretty wenches to our wives,

听听听Sir, must not come so near to balk their lips.

Arun. 'Tis very kindly spoke, my Lord of Pembroke:

听听听Your honour hath an adamant of power

听听听To draw a prince.

Pem. So, my lord.鈥擟ome hither, James:

听听听I do commit this Gaveston to thee;

听听听Be thou this night his keeper; in the morning

听听听We will discharge thee of thy charge: be gone.

Gav. Unhappy Gaveston, whither go'st thou now?

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exit with James and other Attendants of Pembroke.

Horse-boy. My lord, we'll quickly be at Cobham. [Exeunt.

听听Enter GAVESTON mourning, JAMES and other Attendants

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听of PEMBROKE.

Gav. O treacherous Warwick, thus to wrong thy friend!

James. I see it is your life these arms pursue.

Gav. Weaponless must I fall, and die in bands?

听听听O, must this day be period of my life,

听听听Centre of all my bliss? And ye be men,

听听听Speed to the king.

Enter WARWICK and Soldiers.

War. My Lord of Pembroke's men,

听听听Strive you no longer: I will have that Gaveston.

James. Your lordship doth dishonour to yourself,

听听听And wrong our lord, your honourable friend.

War. No, James, it is my country's cause I follow.鈥�

听听听Go, take the villain: soldiers, come away;

听听听We'll make quick work.鈥擟ommend me to your master,

听听听My friend, and tell him that I watch'd it well.鈥�

听听听Come, let thy shadow parley with King Edward.

Gav. Treacherous earl, shall I not see the king?

War. The king of heaven perhaps, no other king.鈥�

听听听Away! [Exeunt Warwick and Soldiers with Gaveston.

James. Come, fellows: it booted not for us to strive:

听听听We will in haste go certify our lord. [Exeunt.

Enter KING EDWARD, the younger SPENSER, BALDOCK, Noblemen

听听of the king's side, and Soldiers with drums and fifes.

K. Edw. I long to hear an answer from the barons

听听听Touching my friend, my dearest Gaveston.

听听听Ah, Spenser, not the riches of my realm

听听听Can ransom him! ah, he is mark'd to die!

听听听I know the malice of the younger Mortimer;

听听听Warwick I know is rough, and Lancaster

听听听Inexorable; and I shall never see

听听听My lovely Pierce of Gaveston again:

听听听The barons overbear with me their pride.

Y. Spen. Were I King Edward, England's sovereign,

听听听Son to the lovely Eleanor of Spain,

听听听Great Edward Longshanks' issue, would I bear

听听听These braves, this rage, and suffer uncontroll'd

听听听These barons thus to beard me in my land,

听听听In mine own realm? My lord, pardon my speech:

听听听Did you retain your father's magnanimity,

听听听Did you regard the honour of your name,

听听听You would not suffer thus your majesty

听听听Be counterbuff'd of your nobility.

听听听Strike off their heads, and let them preach on poles:

听听听No doubt, such lessons they will teach the rest,

听听听As by their preachments they will profit much,

听听听And learn obedience to their lawful king.

K. Edw. Yes, gentle Spenser, we have been too mild,

听听听Too kind to them; but now have drawn our sword,

听听听And, if they send me not my Gaveston,

听听听We'll steel it on their crest[s], and poll their tops.

Bald. This haught resolve becomes your majesty,

听听听Not to be tied to their affection,

听听听As though your highness were a school-boy still,

听听听And must be aw'd and govern'd like a child.

听听听听Enter the elder SPENSER with his truncheon, and

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Soldiers.

E. Spen. Long live my sovereign, the noble Edward,

听听听In peace triumphant, fortunate in wars!

K. Edw. Welcome, old man: com'st thou in Edward's aid?

听听听Then tell thy prince of whence and what thou art.

E. Spen. Low, with a band of bow-men and of pikes,

听听听Brown bills and targeteers, four hundred strong,

听听听Sworn to defend King Edward's royal right,

听听听I come in person to your majesty,

听听听Spenser, the father of Hugh Spenser there,

听听听Bound to your highness everlastingly

听听听For favour done, in him, unto us all.

K. Edw. Thy father, Spenser?

Y. Spen. True, an it like your grace,

听听听That pours, in lieu of all your goodness shown,

听听听His life, my lord, before your princely feet.

K. Edw. Welcome ten thousand times, old man, again!

听听听Spenser, this love, this kindness to thy king,

听听听Argues thy noble mind and disposition.

听听听Spenser, I here create thee Earl of Wiltshire,

听听听And daily will enrich thee with our favour,

听听听That, as the sunshine, shall reflect o'er thee.

听听听Beside, the more to manifest our love,

听听听Because we hear Lord Bruce doth sell his land,

听听听And that the Mortimers are in hand withal,

听听听Thou shalt have crowns of us t'outbid the barons;

听听听And, Spenser, spare them not, lay it on.鈥�

听听听Soldiers, a largess, and thrice-welcome all!

Y. Spen. My lord, here comes the queen.

听听听听听Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, PRINCE EDWARD, and

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听LEVUNE.

K. Edw. Madam, what news?

Q. Isab. News of dishonour, lord, and discontent.

听听听Our friend Levune, faithful and full of trust,

听听听Informeth us, by letters and by words,

听听听That Lord Valois our brother, King of France,

听听听Because your highness hath been slack in homage,

听听听Hath seized Normandy into his hands:

听听听These be the letters, this the messenger.

K. Edw. Welcome, Levune.鈥擳ush, Sib, if this be all,

听听听Valois and I will soon be friends again.鈥�

听听听But to my Gaveston: shall I never see,

听听听Never behold thee now!鈥擬adam, in this matter

听听听We will employ you and your little son;

听听听You shall go parley with the King of France.鈥�

听听听Boy, see you bear you bravely to the king,

听听听And do your message with a majesty.

P. Edw. Commit not to my youth things of more weight

听听听Than fits a prince so young as I to bear;

听听听And fear not, lord and father,鈥攈eaven's great beams

听听听On Atlas' shoulder shall not lie more safe

听听听Than shall your charge committed to my trust.

Q. Isab. Ah, boy, this towardness makes thy mother fear

听听听Thou art not mark'd to many days on earth!

K. Edw. Madam, we will that you with speed be shipp'd,

听听听And this our son; Levune shall follow you

听听听With all the haste we can despatch him hence.

听听听Choose of our lords to bear you company;

听听听And go in peace; leave us in wars at home.

Q. Isab. Unnatural wars, where subjects brave their king:

听听听God end them once!鈥擬y lord, I take my leave,

听听听To make my preparation for France. [Exit with Prince Edward.

Enter ARUNDEL.

K. Edw. What, Lord Arundel, dost thou come alone?

Arun. Yea, my good lord, for Gaveston is dead.

K. Edw. Ah, traitors, have they put my friend to death?

听听听Tell me, Arundel, died he ere thou cam'st,

听听听Or didst thou see my friend to take his death?

Arun. Neither, my lord; for, as he was surpris'd,

听听听Begirt with weapons and with enemies round,

听听听I did your highness' message to them all,

听听听Demanding him of them, entreating rather,

听听听And said, upon the honour of my name,

听听听That I would undertake to carry him

听听听Unto your highness, and to bring him back.

K. Edw. And, tell me, would the rebels deny me that?

Y. Spen. Proud recreants!

K. Edw. Yea, Spenser, traitors all!

Arun. In found them at the first inexorable;

听听听The Earl of Warwick would not bide the hearing,

听听听Mortimer hardly; Pembroke and Lancaster

听听听Spake least; and when they flatly had denied,

听听听Refusing to receive me pledge for him,

听听听The Earl of Pembroke mildly thus bespake;

听听听"My lord, because our sovereign sends for him,

听听听And promiseth he shall be safe return'd,

听听听I will this undertake, to have him hence,

听听听And see him re-deliver'd to your hands."

K. Edw. Well, and how fortunes [it] that he came not?

Y. Spen. Some treason or some villany was cause.

Arun. The Earl of Warwick seiz'd him on his way;

听听听For, being deliver'd unto Pembroke's men,

听听听Their lord rode home, thinking his prisoner safe;

听听听But, ere he came, Warwick in ambush lay,

听听听And bare him to his death; and in a trench

听听听Strake off his head, and march'd unto the camp.

Y. Spen. A bloody part, flatly 'gainst law of arms!

K. Edw. O, shall I speak, or shall I sigh and die!

Y. Spen. My lord, refer your vengeance to the sword

听听听Upon these barons; hearten up your men;

听听听Let them not unreveng'd murder your friends:

听听听Advance your standard, Edward, in the field,

听听听And march to fire them from their starting-holes.

K. Edw. [kneeling.] By earth, the common mother of us all,

听听听By heaven, and all the moving orbs thereof,

听听听By this right hand, and by my father's sword,

听听听And all the honours 'longing to my crown,

听听听I will have heads and lives for him as many

听听听As I have manors, castles, towns, and towers!鈥� [Rises.

听听听Treacherous Warwick! traitorous Mortimer!

听听听If I be England's king, in lakes of gore

听听听Your headless trunks, your bodies will I trail,

听听听That you may drink your fill, and quaff in blood,

听听听And stain my royal standard with the same,

听听听That so my bloody colours may suggest

听听听Remembrance of revenge immortally

听听听On your accursed traitorous progeny,

听听听You villains that have slain my Gaveston!鈥�

听听听And in this place of honour and of trust,

听听听Spenser, sweet Spenser, I adopt thee here;

听听听And merely of our love we do create thee

听听听Earl of Glocester and Lord Chamberlain,

听听听Despite of times, despite of enemies.

Y. Spen. My lord, here's a messenger from the barons

听听听Desires access unto your majesty.

K. Edw. Admit him near.

Enter Herald with his coat of arms.

Her. Long live King Edward, England's lawful lord!

K. Edw. So wish not they, I wis, that sent thee hither:

听听听Thou com'st from Mortimer and his complices:

听听听A ranker rout of rebels never was.

听听听Well, say thy message.

Her. The barons, up in arms, by me salute

听听听Your highness with long life and happiness;

听听听And bid me say, as plainer to your grace,

听听听That if without effusion of blood

听听听You will this grief have ease and remedy,

听听听That from your princely person you remove

听听听This Spenser, as a putrifying branch

听听听That deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves

听听听Empale your princely head, your diadem;

听听听Whose brightness such pernicious upstarts dim,

听听听Say they, and lovingly advise your grace

听听听To cherish virtue and nobility,

听听听And have old servitors in high esteem,

听听听And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers:

听听听This granted, they, their honours, and their lives,

听听听Are to your highness vow'd and consecrate.

Y. Spen. Ah, traitors, will they still display their pride?

K. Edw. Away! tarry no answer, but be gone!鈥�

听听听Rebels, will they appoint their sovereign

听听听His sports, his pleasures, and his company?鈥�

听听听Yet, ere thou go, see how I do divorce [Embraces young Spenser.

听听听Spenser from thee. Now get thee to thy lords,

听听听And tell them I will come to chastise them

听听听For murdering Gaveston: hie thee, get thee gone!

听听听Edward, with fire and sword, follows at thy heels. [Exit Herald.

听听听My lord[s], perceive you how these rebels swell?鈥�

听听听Soldiers, good hearts! defend your sovereign's right,

听听听For, now, even now, we march to make them stoop.

听听听Away!

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt. Alarums, excursions, a great fight, and a

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听retreat sounded, within.

听听听Re-enter KING EDWARD, the elder SPENSER, the younger

听听听听听SPENSER, BALDOCK, and Noblemen of the king's side.

K. Edw. Why do we sound retreat? upon them, lords!

听听听This day I shall your vengeance with my sword

听听听On those proud rebels that are up in arms,

听听听And do confront and countermand their king.

Y. Spen. I doubt it not, my lord; right will prevail.

E. Spen. 'Tis not amiss, my liege, for either part

听听听To breathe a while; our men, with sweat and dust

听听听All chok'd well near, begin to faint for heat;

听听听And this retire refresheth horse and man.

Y. Spen. Here come the rebels.

听听听Enter the younger MORTIMER, LANCASTER, WARWICK,

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听PEMBROKE, and others.

Y. Mor. Look, Lancaster, yonder is Edward Among his flatterers. _Lan._And there let him be, Till he pay dearly for their company. War. And shall, or Warwick's sword shall smite in vain. K. Edw. What, rebels, do you shrink and sound retreat? Y. Mor. No, Edward, no; thy flatterers faint and fly. Lan. They'd best betimes forsake thee and their trains, For they'll betray thee, traitors as they are. Y. Spen. Traitor on thy face, rebellious Lancaster! Pem. Away, base upstart! brav'st thou nobles thus? E. Spen. A noble attempt and honourable deed, Is it not, trow ye, to assemble aid And levy arms against your lawful king? K. Edw. For which, ere long, their heads shall satisfy T' appease the wrath of their offended king. Y. Mor. Then, Edward, thou wilt fight it to the last, And rather bathe thy sword in subjects' blood Than banish that pernicious company? K. Edw. Ay, traitors all, rather than thus be brav'd, Make England's civil towns huge heaps of stones, And ploughs to go about our palace-gates. War. A desperate and unnatural resolution!鈥� Alarum to the fight! Saint George for England, and the barons' right! K. Edw. Saint George for England, and King Edward's right! [Alarums. Exeunt the two parties severally.

Enter KING EDWARD and his followers, with the Barons and KENT captive.

K. Edw. Now, lusty lords, now not by chance of war,

听听听But justice of the quarrel and the cause,

听听听Vail'd is your pride: methinks you hang the heads

听听听But we'll advance them, traitors: now 'tis time

听听听To be aveng'd on you for all your braves,

听听听And for the murder of my dearest friend,

听听听To whom right well you knew our soul was knit,

听听听Good Pierce of Gaveston, my sweet favourite:

听听听Ah, rebels, recreants, you made him away!

Kent. Brother, in regard of thee and of thy land,

听听听Did they remove that flatterer from thy throne.

K. Edw. So, sir, you have spoke: away, avoid our presence!

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exit Kent.

听听听Accursed wretches, was't in regard of us,

听听听When we had sent our messenger to request

听听听He might be spar'd to come to speak with us,

听听听And Pembroke undertook for his return,

听听听That thou, proud Warwick, watch'd the prisoner,

听听听Poor Pierce, and headed him 'gainst law of arms?

听听听For which thy head shall overlook the rest

听听听As much as thou in rage outwent'st the rest.

War. Tyrant, I scorn thy threats and menaces;

听听听It is but temporal that thou canst inflict.

Lan. The worst is death; and better die to live

听听听Than live in infamy under such a king.

K. Edw. Away with them, my lord of Winchester!

听听听These lusty leaders, Warwick and Lancaster,

听听听I charge you roundly, off with both their heads!

听听听Away!

War. Farewell, vain world!

Lan. Sweet Mortimer, farewell!

Y. Mor. England, unkind to thy nobility,

听听听Groan for this grief! behold how thou art maim'd!

K. Edw. Go, take that haughty Mortimer to the Tower;

听听听There see him safe bestow'd; and, for the rest,

听听听Do speedy execution on them all.

听听听Be gone!

Y. Mor. What, Mortimer, can ragged stony walls

听听听Immure thy virtue that aspires to heaven?

听听听No, Edward, England's scourge, it may not be;

听听听Mortimer's hope surmounts his fortune far.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[The captive Barons are led off.

K. Edw. Sound, drums and trumpets! March with me, my friends.

听听听Edward this day hath crown'd him king anew.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt all except the younger Spenser,

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Levune and Baldock.

Y. Spen. Levune, the trust that we repose in thee

听听听Begets the quiet of King Edward's land:

听听听Therefore be gone in haste, and with advice

听听听Bestow that treasure on the lords of France,

听听听That, therewith all enchanted, like the guard

听听听That suffer'd Jove to pass in showers of gold

听听听To Dana毛, all aid may be denied

听听听To Isabel the queen, that now in France

听听听Makes friends, to cross the seas with her young son,

听听听And step into his father's regiment.

Levune. That's it these barons and the subtle queen

听听听Long levell'd at.

Bal. Yea, but, Levune, thou seest,

听听听These barons lay their heads on blocks together:

听听听What they intend, the hangman frustrates clean.

Levune. Have you no doubt, my lords, I'll clap so close

听听听Among the lords of France with England's gold,

听听听That Isabel shall make her plaints in vain,

听听听And France shall be obdurate with her tears.

Y. Spen. Then make for France amain; Levune, away!

听听听Proclaim King Edward's wars and victories. [Exeunt.

Enter KENT.

Kent. Fair blows the wind for France: blow, gentle gale,

听听听Till Edmund be arriv'd for England's good!

听听听Nature, yield to my country's cause in this!

听听听A brother? no, a butcher of thy friends!

听听听Proud Edward, dost thou banish me thy presence?

听听听But I'll to France, and cheer the wronged queen,

听听听And certify what Edward's looseness is.

听听听Unnatural king, to slaughter nobleman

听听听And cherish flatterers! Mortimer, I stay

听听听Thy sweet escape. Stand gracious, gloomy night,

听听听To his device!

Enter the younger MORTIMER disguised.

Y. Mor. Holla! who walketh there?

听听听Is't you, my lord?

Kent. Mortimer, 'tis I.

听听听But hath thy portion wrought so happily?

Y. Mor. It hath, my lord: the warders all asleep,

听听听I thank them, gave me leave to pass in peace.

听听听But hath your grace got shipping unto France?

Kent. Fear it not. [Exeunt.

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA and PRINCE EDWARD.

Q. Isab. Ah, boy, our friends do fail us all in France!

听听听The lords are cruel, and the king unkind.

听听听What shall we do?

P. Edw. Madam, return to England,

听听听And please my father well; and then a fig

听听听For all my uncle's friendship here in France!

听听听I warrant you, I'll win his highness quickly;

听听听'A loves me better than a thousand Spensers.

Q. Isab. Ah, boy, thou art deceiv'd, at least in this,

听听听To think that we can yet be tun'd together!

听听听No, no, we jar too far.鈥擴nkind Valois!

听听听Unhappy Isabel, when France rejects,

听听听Whither, O, whither dost thou bend thy steps?

Enter SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT.

Sir J. Madam, what cheer?

Q. Isab. Ah, good Sir John of Hainault,

听听听Never so cheerless nor so far distrest!

Sir J. I hear, sweet lady, of the king's unkindness:

听听听But droop not, madam; noble minds contemn

听听听Despair. Will your grace with me to Hainault,

听听听And there stay time's advantage with your son?鈥�

听听听How say you, my lord! will you go with your friends,

听听听And shake off all our fortunes equally?

P. Edw. So pleaseth the queen my mother, me it likes:

听听听The king of England, not the court of France,

听听听Shall have me from my gracious mother's side,

听听听Till I be strong enough to break a staff;

听听听And then have at the proudest Spenser's head!

Sir J. Well said, my lord!

Q. Isab. O my sweet heart, how do I moan thy wrongs,

听听听Yet triumph in the hope of thee, my joy!鈥�

听听听Ah, sweet Sir John, even to the utmost verge

听听听Of Europe, on the shore of Tanais,

听听听Will we with thee to Hainault鈥攕o we will:

听听听The marquis is a noble gentleman;

听听听His grace, I dare presume, will welcome me.鈥�

听听听But who are these?

Enter KENT and the younger MORTIMER.

Kent. Madam, long may you live,

听听听Much happier than your friends in England do!

Q. Isab. Lord Edmund and Lord Mortimer alive!

听听听Welcome to France! the news was here, my lord,

听听听That you were dead, or very near your death.

Y. Mor. Lady, the last was truest of the twain:

听听听But Mortimer, reserv'd for better hap,

听听听Hath shaken off the thraldom of the Tower,

听听听And lives t' advance your standard, good my lord.

P. Edw. How mean you, and the king my father lives?

听听听No, my Lord Mortimer, not I, I trow.

Q. Isab. Not, son! Why not? I would it were no worse!鈥�

听听听But, gentle lords, friendless we are in France.

Y. Mor. Monsieur Le Grand, a noble friend of yours,

听听听Told us, at our arrival, all the news,鈥�

听听听How hard the nobles, how unkind the king

听听听Hath show'd himself: but, madam, right makes room

听听听Where weapons want; and, though a many friends

听听听Are made away, as Warwick, Lancaster,

听听听And others of our part and faction,

听听听Yet have we friends, assure your grace, in England,

听听听Would cast up caps, and clap their hands for joy,

听听听To see us there, appointed for our foes.

Kent. Would all were well, and Edward well reclaim'd,

听听听For England's honour, peace, and quietness!

Y. Mor. But by the sword, my lord, 't must be deserv'd:

听听听The king will ne'er forsake his flatterers.

Sir J. My lords of England, sith th' ungentle king

听听听Of France refuseth to give aid of arms

听听听To this distressed queen, his sister, here,

听听听Go you with her to Hainault: doubt ye not

听听听We will find comfort, money, men, and friends,

听听听Ere long to bid the English king a base.鈥�

听听听How say'st, young prince, what think you of the match?

P. Edw. I think King Edward will outrun us all.

Q. Isab. Nay, son, not so; and you must not discourage

听听听Your friends that are so forward in your aid.

Kent. Sir John of Hainault, pardon us, I pray:

听听听These comforts that you give our woful queen

听听听Bind us in kindness all at your command.

Q. Isab. Yea, gentle brother:鈥攁nd the God of heaven

听听听Prosper your happy motion, good Sir John!

Y. Mor. This noble gentleman, forward in arms,

听听听Was born, I see, to be our anchor-hold.鈥�

听听听Sir John of Hainault, be it thy renown,

听听听That England's queen and nobles in distress

听听听Have been by thee restor'd and comforted.

Sir J. Madam, along; and you, my lord[s], with me,

听听听That England's peers may Hainault's welcome see. [Exeunt.

听听听Enter KING EDWARD, ARUNDEL, the elder SPENSER, the

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听younger SPENSER, and others.

K. Edw. Thus, after many threats of wrathful war,

听听听Triumpheth England's Edward with his friends,

听听听And triumph Edward with his friends uncontroll'd!鈥�

听听听My Lord of Glocester, do you hear the news?

Y. Spen. What news, my lord?

K. Edw. Why, man, they say there is great execution

听听听Done through the realm.鈥擬y Lord of Arundel,

听听听You have the note, have you not?

_Arun._From the Lieutenant of the Tower, my lord.

K. Edw. I pray, let us see it. [Takes the note from Arundel.

听听听鈥擶hat have we there?鈥�

听听听Read it, Spenser.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Gives the note to young Spenser, who reads

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听迟丑别ir names.

听听听Why, so: they bark'd apace a month ago;

听听听Now, on my life, they'll neither bark nor bite.

听听听Now, sirs, the news from France? Glocester, I trow,

听听听The lords of France love England's gold so well

听听听As Isabella gets no aid from thence.

听听听What now remains? have you proclaim'd, my lord,

听听听Reward for them can bring in Mortimer?

Y. Spen. My lord, we have; and, if he be in England,

听听听'A will be had ere long, I doubt it not.

K. Edw. If, dost thou say? Spenser, as true as death,

听听听He is in England's ground: our port-masters

听听听Are not so careless of their king's command.

Enter a Messenger.

听听听How now! what news with thee? from whence come these?

Mess. Letters, my lord, and tidings forth of France:

听听听To you, my Lord of Glocester, from Levune.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Gives letters to young Spenser.

K. Edw. Read.

Y. Spen. [reading.] My duty to your honour promised, etc., I

听听听have, according to instructions in that behalf, dealt with the

听听听King of France and his lords, and effected that the queen, all

听听听discontented and discomforted, is gone: whither, if you ask,

听听听with Sir John of Hainault, brother to the marquis, into

听听听Flanders. With them are gone Lord Edmund and the Lord

听听听Mortimer, having in their company divers of your nation,

听听听and others; and, as constant report goeth, they intend to

听听听give King Edward battle in England, sooner than he can

听听听look for them. This is all the news of import.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Your honour's in all service, Levune.

K. Edw. Ah, villains, hath that Mortimer escap'd?

听听听With him is Edmund gone associate?

听听听And will Sir John of Hainault lead the round?

听听听Welcome, o' God's name, madam, and your son!

听听听England shall welcome you and all your rout.

听听听Gallop apace, bright Phbus, through the sky;

听听听And, dusky Night, in rusty iron car,

听听听Between you both shorten the time, I pray,

听听听That I may see that most desired day,

听听听When we may meet these traitors in the field!

听听听Ah, nothing grieves me, but my little boy

听听听Is thus misled to countenance their ills!

听听听Come, friends, to Bristow, there to make us strong:

听听听And, winds, as equal be to bring them in,

听听听As you injurious were to bear them forth! [Exeunt.

听听听Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, PRINCE EDWARD, KENT, the

听听听听听younger MORTIMER, and SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT.

Q. Isab. Now, lords, our loving friends and countrymen,

听听听Welcome to England all, with prosperous winds!

听听听Our kindest friends in Belgia have we left,

听听听To cope with friends at home; a heavy case

听听听When force to force is knit, and sword and glaive

听听听In civil broils make kin and countrymen

听听听Slaughter themselves in others, and their sides

听听听With their own weapons gor'd! But what's the help?

听听听Misgovern'd kings are cause of all this wreck;

听听听And, Edward, thou art one among them all,

听听听Whose looseness hath betray'd thy land to spoil,

听听听Who made the channel overflow with blood

听听听Of thine own people: patron shouldst thou be;

听听听But thou鈥�

Y. Mor. Nay, madam, if you be a warrior,

听听听You must not grow so passionate in speeches.鈥�

听听听Lords, sith that we are, by sufferance of heaven,

听听听Arriv'd and armed in this prince's right,

听听听Here for our country's cause swear we to him

听听听All homage, fealty, and forwardness;

听听听And for the open wrongs and injuries

听听听Edward hath done to us, his queen, and land,

听听听We come in arms to wreck it with the sword;

听听听That England's queen in peace may repossess

听听听Her dignities and honours; and withal

听听听We may remove these flatterers from the king

听听听That havock England's wealth and treasury.

Sir J. Sound trumpets, my lord, and forward let us march.

听听听Edward will think we come to flatter him.

Kent. I would he never had been flatter'd more! [Exeunt.

Enter KING EDWARD, BALDOCK, and the younger SPENSER.

Y. Spen. Fly, fly, my lord! the queen is overstrong;

听听听Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail.

听听听Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe.

K. Edw. What, was I born to fly and run away,

听听听And leave the Mortimers conquerors behind?

听听听Give me my horse, and let's reinforce our troops.

听听听And in this bed of honour die with fame.

Bald. O, no, my lord! this princely resolution

听听听Fits not the time: away! we are pursu'd. [Exeunt.

Enter KENT, with a sword and target.

Kent. This way he fled; but I am come too late.

听听听Edward, alas, my heart relents for thee!

听听听Proud traitor, Mortimer, why dost thou chase

听听听Thy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword?

听听听Vile wretch, and why hast thou, of all unkind,

听听听Borne arms against thy brother and thy king?

听听听Rain showers of vengeance on my cursed head,

听听听Thou God, to whom in justice it belongs

听听听To punish this unnatural revolt!

听听听Edward, this Mortimer aims at thy life:

听听听O, fly him, then! But, Edmund, calm this rage;

听听听Dissemble, or thou diest; for Mortimer

听听听And Isabel do kiss, while they conspire:

听听听And yet she bears a face of love, forsooth:

听听听Fie on that love that hatcheth death and hate!

听听听Edmund, away! Bristow to Longshanks' blood

听听听Is false; be not found single for suspect:

听听听Proud Mortimer pries near into thy walks.

听听Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, PRINCE EDWARD, the younger

听听听听听听听MORTIMER, and SIR JOHN JOHN OF HAINAULT.

Q. Isab. Successful battle gives the God of kings

听听听To them that fight in right, and fear in wrath,

听听听Since, then, successfully we have prevail'd,

听听听Thanked be heaven's great architect, and you!

听听听Ere farther we proceed, my noble lords,

听听听We here create our well-beloved son,

听听听Of love and care unto his royal person,

听听听Lord Warden of the realm; and, sith the Fates

听听听Have made his father so infortunate,

听听听Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords,

听听听As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all.

Kent. Madam, without offence if I may ask

听听听How will you deal with Edward in his fall?

P. Edw. Tell me, good uncle, what Edward do you mean?

Kent. Nephew, your father; I dare not call him king.

Y. Mor. My Lord of Kent, what needs these questions?

听听听'Tis not in her controlment nor in ours;

听听听But as the realm and parliament shall please,

听听听So shall your brother be disposed of.鈥�

听听听I like not this relenting mood in Edmund:

听听听Madam, 'tis good to look to him betimes. [Aside to the Queen.

Q. Isab. My lord, the Mayor of Bristow knows our mind.

Y. Mor. Yea, madam; and they scape not easily

听听听That fled the field.

Q. Isab. Baldock is with the king:

听听听A goodly chancellor, is he not, my lord?

Sir J. So are the Spensers, the father and the son.

Y. Mor. This Edward is the ruin of the realm.

听听Enter RICE AP HOWEL with the elder SPENSER prisoner,

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听and Attendants.

Rice. God save Queen Isabel and her princely son!

听听听Madam, the Mayor and citizens of Bristow,

听听听In sign of love and duty to this presence,

听听听Present by me this traitor to the state,

听听听Spenser, the father to that wanton Spenser,

听听听That, like the lawless Catiline of Rome,

听听听Revell'd in England's wealth and treasury.

Isab. We thank you all.

Y. Mor. Your loving care in this

听听听Deserveth princely favours and rewards.

听听听But where's the king and the other Spenser fled?

Rice. Spenser the son, created Earl of Glocester,

听听听Is with that smooth-tongu'd scholar Baldock gone,

听听听And shipp'd but late for Ireland with the king.

Y. Mor. Some whirlwind fetch them back, or sink them all!鈥� [Aside.

听听听They shall be started thence, I doubt it not.

P. Edw. Shall I not see the king my father yet?

Kent. Unhappy Edward, chas'd from England's bounds! [Aside.

Sir J. Madam, what resteth? why stand you in a muse?

Q. Isab. I rue my lord's ill-fortune: but, alas,

听听听Care of my country call'd me to this war!

Y. Mor. Madam, have done with care and sad complaint:

听听听Your king hath wrong'd your country and himself,

听听听And we must seek to right it as we may.鈥�

听听听Meanwhile have hence this rebel to the block.

E. Spen. Rebel is he that fights against the prince:

听听听So fought not they that fought in Edward's right.

Y. Mor. Take him away; he prates.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt Attendants with the elder Spenser.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听You, Rice ap Howel,

听听听Shall do good service to her majesty,

听听听Being of countenance in your country here,

听听听To follow these rebellious runagates.鈥�

听听听We in mean while, madam, must take advice.

听听听How Baldock, Spenser, and their complices,

听听听May in their fall be follow'd to their end. [Exeunt.

听听听Enter the Abbot, Monks, KING EDWARD, the younger

听听听SPENSER, and BALDOCK (the three latter disguised).

Abbot. Have you no doubt, my lord; have you no fear:

听听听As silent and as careful we will be

听听听To keep your royal person safe with us,

听听听Free from suspect, and fell invasion

听听听Of such as have your majesty in chase,

听听听Yourself, and those your chosen company,

听听听As danger of this stormy time requires.

K. Edw. Father, thy face should harbour no deceit.

听听听O, hadst thou ever been a king, thy heart,

听听听Pierc'd deeply with sense of my distress,

听听听Could not but take compassion of my state!

听听听Stately and proud in riches and in train,

听听听Whilom I was, powerful and full of pomp:

听听听But what is he whom rule and empery

听听听Have not in life or death made miserable?鈥�

听听听Come, Spenser,鈥攃ome, Baldock,鈥攃ome, sit down by me;

听听听Make trial now of that philosophy

听听听That in our famous nurseries of arts

听听听Thou suck'dst from Plato and from Aristotle.鈥�

听听听Father, this life contemplative is heaven:

听听听O, that I might this life in quiet lead!

听听听But we, alas, are chas'd!鈥攁nd you, my friends,

听听听Your lives and my dishonour they pursue.鈥�

听听听Yet, gentle monks, for treasure, gold, nor fee,

听听听Do you betray us and our company.

First Monk. Your grace may sit secure, if none but we

听听听Do wot of your abode.

Y. Spen. Not one alive: but shrewdly I suspect

听听听A gloomy fellow in a mead below;

听听听'A gave a long look after us, my lord;

听听听And all the land, I know, is up in arms,

听听听Arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate.

Bald. We were embark'd for Ireland; wretched we,

听听听With awkward winds and with sore tempests driven,

听听听To fall on shore, and here to pine in fear

听听听Of Mortimer and his confederates!

K. Edw. Mortimer! who talks of Mortimer?

听听听Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer,

听听听That bloody man?鈥擥ood father, on thy lap

听听听Lay I this head, laden with mickle care.

听听听O, might I never ope these eyes again,

听听听Never again lift up this drooping head,

听听听O, never more lift up this dying heart!

Y. Spen. Look up, my lord.鈥擝aldock, this drowsiness

听听听Betides no good; here even we are betray'd.

听听听Enter, with Welsh hooks, RICE AP HOWEL, a Mower,

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听and LEICESTER.

Mow. Upon my life, these be the men ye seek.

Rice. Fellow, enough.鈥擬y lord, I pray, be short;

听听听A fair commission warrants what we do.

Leices. The queen's commission, urg'd by Mortimer:

听听听What cannot gallant Mortimer with the queen?鈥�

听听听Alas, see where he sits, and hopes unseen

听听听T'escape their hands that seek to reave his life!

听听听Too true it is, Quem dies vidit veniens superbum,

听听听Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem.

听听听But, Leicester, leave to grow so passionate.鈥�

听听听Spenser and Baldock, by no other names,

听听听I arrest you of high treason here.

听听听Stand not on titles, but obey th' arrest:

听听听'Tis in the name of Isabel the queen.鈥�

听听听My lord, why droop you thus?

K. Edw. O day, the last of all my bliss on earth!

听听听Centre of all misfortune! O my stars,

听听听Why do you lour unkindly on a king?

听听听Comes Leicester, then, in Isabella's name,

听听听To take my life, my company from me?

听听听Here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine,

听听听And take my heart in rescue of my friends.

Rice. Away with them!

Y. Spen. It may become thee yet

听听听To let us take our farewell of his grace.

Abbott. My heart with pity earns to see this sight;

听听听A king to bear these words and proud commands! [Aside.

K. Edw. Spenser, ah, sweet Spenser, thus, then, must we part?

Y. Spen. We must, my lord; so will the angry heavens.

K. Edw. Nay, so will hell and cruel Mortimer:

听听听The gentle heavens have not to do in this.

Bald. My lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm.

听听听Here humbly of your grace we take our leaves:

听听听Our lots are cast; I fear me, so is thine.

K. Edw. In heaven we may, in earth ne'er shall we meet:鈥�

听听听And, Leicester, say, what shall become of us?

Leices. Your majesty must go to Killingworth.

K. Edw. Must! it is somewhat hard when kings must go.

Leices. Here is a litter ready for your grace,

听听听That waits your pleasure, and the day grows old.

Rice. As good be gone, as stay and be benighted.

K. Edw. A litter hast thou? lay me in a hearse,

听听听And to the gates of hell convey me hence;

听听听Let Pluto's bells ring out my fatal knell,

听听听And hags howl for my death at Charon's shore;

听听听For friends hath Edward none but these,

听听听And these must die under a tyrant's sword.

Rice. My lord, be going: care not for these;

听听听For we shall see them shorter by the heads.

K. Edw. Well, that shall be shall be: part we must;

听听听Sweet Spenser, gentle Baldock, part we must.鈥�

听听听Hence, feigned weeds! unfeigned are my woes.鈥�

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Throwing off his disguise.

听听听Father, farewell.鈥擫eicester, thou stay'st for me;

听听听And go I must.鈥擫ife, farewell, with my friends!

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt King Edward and Leicester.

Y. Spen. O, is he gone? is noble Edward gone?

听听听Parted from hence, never to see us more!

听听听Rend, sphere of heaven! and, fire, forsake thy orb!

听听听Earth, melt to air! gone is my sovereign,

听听听Gone, gone, alas, never to make return!

Bald. Spenser, I see our souls are fleeting hence;

听听听We are depriv'd the sunshine of our life.

听听听Make for a new life, man; throw up thy eyes

听听听And heart and hand to heaven's immortal throne;

听听听Pay nature's debt with cheerful countenance;

听听听Reduce we all our lessons unto this,鈥�

听听听To die, sweet Spenser, therefore live we all;

听听听Spenser, all live to die, and rise to fall.

Rice. Come, come, keep these preachments till you come to

听听听迟丑别 place appointed. You, and such as you are, have

听听听made wise work in England. Will your lordships away?

Mow. Your lordship I trust will remember me?

Rice. Remember thee, fellow! what else? Follow me to

听听听迟丑别 town. [Exeunt.

听听听听Enter KING EDWARD, LEICESTER, the BISHOP OF

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听WINCHESTER, and TRUSSEL.

Leices. Be patient, good my lord, cease to lament;

听听听Imagine Killingworth Castle were your court,

听听听And that you lay for pleasure here a space,

听听听Not of compulsion or necessity.

K. Edw. Leicester, if gentle words might comfort me,

听听听Thy speeches long ago had eas'd my sorrows,

听听听For kind and loving hast thou always been.

听听听The griefs of private men are soon allay'd;

听听听But not of kings. The forest deer, being struck,

听听听Runs to an herb that closeth up the wounds:

听听听But when the imperial lion's flesh is gor'd,

听听听He rends and tears it with his wrathful paw,

听听听[And], highly scorning that the lowly earth

听听听Should drink his blood, mounts up to the air:

听听听And so it fares with me, whose dauntless mind

听听听Th' ambitious Mortimer would seek to curb,

听听听And that unnatural queen, false Isabel,

听听听That thus hath pent and mew'd me in a prison

听听听For such outrageous passions cloy my soul,

听听听As with the wings of rancour and disdain

听听听Full oft[ten] am I soaring up to heaven,

听听听To plain me to the gods against them both.

听听听But when I call to mind I am a king,

听听听Methinks I should revenge me of my wrongs,

听听听That Mortimer and Isabel have done.

听听听But what are kings, when regiment is gone,

听听听But perfect shadows in a sunshine day?

听听听My nobles rule; I bear the name of king,

听听听I wear the crown; but am controll'd by them,

听听听By Mortimer, and my unconstant queen,

听听听Who spots my nuptial bed with infamy;

听听听Whilst I am lodg'd within this cave of care,

听听听Where sorrow at my elbow still attends,

听听听To company my heart with sad laments,

听听听That bleeds within me for this strange exchange.

听听听But tell me, must I now resign my crown,

听听听To make usurping Mortimer a king?

Bish. of Win. Your grace mistakes; it is for England's good,

听听听And princely Edward's right, we crave the crown.

K. Edw. No, 'tis for Mortimer, not Edward's head

听听听For he's a lamb, emcompassed by wolves,

听听听Which in a moment will abridge his life.

听听听But, if proud Mortimer do wear this crown,

听听听Heavens turn it to a blaze of quenchless fire!

听听听Or, like the snaky wreath of Tisiphon,

听听听Engirt the temples of his hateful head!

听听听So shall not England's vine be perished,

听听听But Edward's name survive, though Edward dies.

Leices. My lord, why waste you thus the time away?

听听听They stay your answer: will you yield your crown?

K. Edw. Ah, Leicester, weigh how hardly I can brook

听听听To lose my crown and kingdom without cause;

听听听To give ambitious Mortimer my right,

听听听That, like a mountain, overwhelms my bliss;

听听听In which extreme my mind here murder'd is!

听听听But that the heavens appoint I must obey.鈥�

听听听Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too: [Taking off the crown.

听听听Two kings in England cannot reign at once.

听听听But stay a while: let me be king till night,

听听听That I may gaze upon this glittering crown;

听听听So shall my eyes receive their last content,

听听听My head, the latest honour due to it,

听听听And jointly both yield up their wished right.

听听听Continue ever, thou celestial sun;

听听听Let never silent night possess this clime;

听听听Stand still, you watches of the element;

听听听All times and seasons, rest you at a stay,

听听听That Edward may be still fair England's king!

听听听But day's bright beams doth vanish fast away,

听听听And needs I must resign my wished crown.

听听听Inhuman creatures, nurs'd with tiger's milk,

听听听Why gape you for your sovereign's overthrow?

听听听My diadem, I mean, and guiltless life.

听听听See, monsters, see! I'll wear my crown again.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Putting on the crown.

听听听What, fear you not the fury of your king?鈥�

听听听But, hapless Edward, thou art fondly led;

听听听They pass not for thy frowns as late they did,

听听听But seek to make a new-elected king;

听听听Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts,

听听听Which thoughts are martyred with endless torments;

听听听And in this torment comfort find I none,

听听听But that I feel the crown upon my head;

听听听And therefore let me wear it yet a while.

Trus. My, lord, the parliament must have present news;

听听听And therefore say, will you resign or no?

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[The king rageth.

K. Edw. I'll not resign, but, whilst I live, [be king].

听听听Traitors, be gone, and join you with Mortimer.

听听听Elect, conspire, install, do what you will:

听听听Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries.

Bish. of Win. This answer we'll return; and so, farewell.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Going with Trussel.

Leices. Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair;

听听听For, if they go, the prince shall lose his right.

K. Edw. Call thou them back; I have no power to speak.

Leices. My lord, the king is willing to resign.

Bish. of Win. If he be not, let him choose.

K. Edw. O, would I might! but heavens and earth conspire

听听听To make me miserable. Here, receive my crown.

听听听Receive it? no, these innocent hands of mine

听听听Shall not be guilty of so foul a crime;

听听听He of you all that most desires my blood,

听听听And will be call'd the murderer of a king,

听听听Take it. What, are you mov'd? pity you me?

听听听Then send for unrelenting Mortimer,

听听听And Isabel, whose eyes being turn'd to steel

听听听Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear.

听听听Yet stay; for, rather than I'll look on them,

听听听Here, here! [Gives the crown.]鈥擭ow, sweet God of heaven,

听听听Make me despise this transitory pomp,

听听听And sit fot aye enthronised in heaven!

听听听Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes,

听听听Or, if I live, let me forget myself!

Bish. of Win. My lord,鈥�

K. Edw. Call me not lord; away, out of my sight!

听听听Ah, pardon me! grief makes me lunatic.

听听听Let not that Mortimer protect my son;

听听听More safety there is in a tiger's jaws

听听听Than his embracements. Bear this to the queen,

听听听Wet with my tears, and dried again with sighs:

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Gives a handkerchief.

听听听If with the sight thereof she be not mov'd,

听听听Return it back, and dip it in my blood.

听听听Commend me to my son, and bid him rule

听听听Better than I: yet how have I transgress'd,

听听听Unless it be with too much clemency?

Trus. And thus, most humbly do we take our leave.

K. Edw. Farewell.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exeunt the Bishop of Winchester and Trussel with the

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听crown.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听I know the next news that they bring

听听听Will be my death; and welcome shall it be:

听听听To wretched men death is felicity.

Leices. Another post! what news brings he?

Enter BERKELEY, who gives a paper to LEICESTER.

K. Edw. Such news as I expect.鈥擟ome, Berkeley, come, And tell thy message to my naked breast. Berk. My lord, think not a thought so villanous Can harbour in a man of noble birth. To do your highness service and devoir, And save you from your foes, Berkeley would die. Leices. My lord, the council of the queen command That I resign my charge. K. Edw. And who must keep me now? Must you, my lord? Berk. Ay, my most gracious lord; so 'tis decreed. K. Edw. [Taking the paper.] By Mortimer, whose name is written here! Well may I rent his name that rends my heart. [Tears it. This poor revenge hath something eas'd my mind: So may his limbs be torn as is this paper! Hear me, immortal Jove, and grant it too! Berk. Your grace must hence with me to Berkeley straight. K. Edw. Whither you will: all places are alike, And every earth is fit for burial. Leices. Favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in you. Berk. Even so betide my soul as I use him! K. Edw. Mine enemy hath pitied my estate, And that's the cause that I am now remov'd. Berk. And thinks your grace that Berkeley will be cruel? K. Edw. I know not; but of this am I assur'd, That death ends all, and I can die but once.鈥� Leicester, farewell. Leices. Not yet, my lord; I'll bear you on your way. [Exeunt.

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA and the younger MORTIMER.

Y. Mor. Fair Isabel, now have we our desire;

听听听The proud corrupters of the light-brain'd king

听听听Have done their homage to the lofty gallows,

听听听And he himself lies in captivity.

听听听Be rul'd by me, and we will rule the realm:

听听听In any case take heed of childish fear,

听听听For now we hold an old wolf by the ears,

听听听That, if he slip, will seize upon us both,

听听听And gripe the sorer, being grip'd himself.

听听听Think therefore, madam, that imports us much

听听听To erect your son with all the speed we may,

听听听And that I be protector over him:

听听听For our behoof, 'twill bear the greater sway

听听听Whenas a king's name shall be under-writ.

Q. Isab. Sweet Mortimer, the life of Isabel,

听听听Be thou persuaded that I love thee well;

听听听And therefore, so the prince my son be safe,

听听听Whom I esteem as dear as these mine eyes,

听听听Conclude against his father what thou wilt,

听听听And I myself will willingly subscribe.

Y. Mor. First would I hear news he were depos'd,

听听听And then let me alone to handle him.

Enter Messenger.

Letters! from whence? Mess. From Killingworth, my lord? Q. Isab. How fares my lord the king? Mess. In health, madam, but full of pensiveness. Q. Isab. Alas, poor soul, would I could ease his grief!

Enter the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER with the crown.

听听听Thanks, gentle Winchester.鈥�

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Sirrah, be gone. [Exit Messenger.

Bish. of Win. The king hath willingly resign'd his crown.

Q. Isab. O, happy news! send for the prince my son.

Bish. of Win. Further, or this letter was seal'd, Lord Berkeley came,

听听听So that he now is gone from Killingworth;

听听听And we have heard that Edmund laid a plot

听听听To set his brother free; nor more but so.

听听听The Lord of Berkeley is so pitiful

听听听As Leicester that had charge of him before.

Q. Isab. Then let some other be his guardian.

Y. Mor. Let me alone; here is the privy-seal,鈥�

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Exit the Bish. of Win.

听听听Who's there? Call hither, Gurney and Matrevis.鈥�

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[To Attendants within.

听听听To dash the heavy-headed Edmund's drift,

听听听Berkeley shall be discharg'd, the king remov'd,

听听听And none but we shall know where he lieth.

Q. Isab. But, Mortimer, as long as he survives,

听听听What safety rests for us or for my son?

Y. Mor. Speak, shall he presently be despatch'd and die?

Q. Isab. I would he were, so 'twere not by my means!

Enter MATREVIS and GURNEY.

Y. Mor. Enough.鈥擬atrevis, write a letter presently

听听听Unto the Lord of Berkeley from ourself,

听听听That he resign the king to thee and Gurney;

听听听And, when 'tis done, we will subscribe our name.

Mat. It shall be done, my lord. [Writes.

Y. Mor. 骋耻谤苍别测,鈥�

Gur. My lord?

Y. Mor. As thou intend'st to rise by Mortimer,

听听听Who now makes Fortune's wheel turn as he please,

听听听Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop,

听听听And neither give him kind word nor good look.

Gur. I warrant you, my lord.

Y. Mor. And this above the rest: because we hear

听听听That Edmund casts to work his liberty,

听听听Remove him still from place to place by night,

听听听Till at the last he come to Killingworth,

听听听And then from thence to Berkeley back again;

听听听And by the way, to make him fret the more,

听听听Speak curstly to him; and in any case

听听听Let no man comfort him, if he chance to weep,

听听听But amplify his grief with bitter words.

Mat. Fear not, my lord; we'll do as you command.

Y. Mor. So, now away! post thitherwards amain.

Q. Isab. Whither goes this letter? to my lord the king?

听听听Commend me humbly to his majesty,

听听听And tell him that I labour all in vain

听听听To ease his grief and work his liberty;

听听听And bear him this as witness of my love. [Gives ring.

Mat. I will, madam. [Exit with Gurney.

Y. Mor. Finely dissembled! do so still, sweet queen.

听听听Here comes the young prince with the Earl of Kent.

Q. Isab. Something he whispers in his childish ears.

Y. Mor. If he have such access unto the prince,

听听听Our plots and stratagems will soon be dash'd.

Q. Isab. Use Edmund friendly, as if all were well.

Enter PRINCE EDWARD, and KENT talking with him.

Y. Mor. How fares my honourable Lord of Kent? Kent. In health, sweet Mortimer.鈥擧ow fares your grace? Q. Isab. Well, if my lord your brother were enlarg'd. Kent. I hear of late he hath depos'd himself. Q. Isab. The more my grief. Y. Mor. And mine. Kent. Ah, they do dissemble! [Aside. Q. Isab. Sweet son, come hither; I must talk with thee. Y. Mor. You, being his uncle and the next of blood, Do look to be protector o'er the prince. Kent. Not I, my lord: who should protect the son, But she that gave him life? I mean the queen. P. Edw. Mother, persuade me not to wear the crown: Let him be king; I am too young to reign. Q. Isab. But be content, seeing 'tis his highness' pleasure. P. Edw. Let me but see him first, and then I will. Kent. Ay, do, sweet nephew. Q. Isab. Brother, you know it is impossible. P. Edw. Why, is he dead? Q. Isab. No, God forbid! Kent. I would those words proceeded from your heart! Y. Mor. Inconstant Edmund, dost thou favour him, That wast a cause of his imprisonment? Kent. The more cause now have I to make amends. Y. Mor. [aside to Q. ISAB.] I tell thee, 'tis not meet that one so false Should come about the person of a prince.鈥� My lord, he hath betray'd the king his brother, And therefore trust him not. P. Edw. But he repents, and sorrows for it now. Q. Isab. Come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me. P. Edw. With you I will, but not with Mortimer. Y. Mor. Why, youngling, 'sdain'st thou so of Mortimer? Then I will carry thee by force away. P. Edw. Help, uncle Kent! Mortimer will wrong me. Q. Isab. Brother Edmund, strive not; we are his friends; Isabel is nearer than the Earl of Kent. Kent. Sister, Edward is my charge; redeem him. Q. Isab. Edward is my son, and I will keep him. Kent. Mortimer shall know that he hath wronged me. Hence will I haste to Killingworth Castle, And rescue aged Edward from his foes, To be reveng'd on Mortimer and thee. [Aside. [Exeunt, on the one side, Queen Isabella, Prince Edward and the younger Mortimer; on other other, Kent.

听听听听听听听Enter MATREVIS, GURNEY, and Soldiers, with

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听KING EDWARD.

Mat. My lord, be not pensive; we are your friends:

听听听Men are ordain'd to live in misery;

听听听Therefore, come; dalliance dangereth our lives.

K. Edw. Friends, whither must unhappy Edward go?

听听听Will hateful Mortimer appoint no rest?

听听听Must I be vexed like the nightly bird,

听听听Whose sight is loathsome to all winged fowls?

听听听When will the fury of his mind assuage?

听听听When will his heart be satisfied with blood?

听听听If mine will serve, unbowel straight this breast,

听听听And give my heart to Isabel and him:

听听听It is the chiefest mark they level at.

_Gur._Not so, my liege: the queen hath given this charge,

听听听To keep your grace in safety:

听听听Your passions make your dolours to increase.

K. Edw. This usage makes my misery increase.

听听听But can my air of life continue long,

听听听When all my senses are annoy'd with stench?

听听听Within a dungeon England's king is kept,

听听听Where I am starv'd for want of sustenance;

听听听My daily diet is heart-breaking sobs,

听听听That almost rent the closet of my heart:

听听听Thus lives old Edward not reliev'd by any,

听听听And so must die, though pitied by many.

听听听O, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst,

听听听And clear my body from foul excrements!

Mat. Here's channel-water, as our charge is given:

听听听Sit down, for we'll be barbers to your grace.

K. Edw. Traitors, away! what, will you murder me,

听听听Of choke your sovereign with puddle-water?

Gur. No, but wash your face, and shave away your beard,

听听听Lest you be known, and so be rescued.

Mat. Why strive you thus? your labour is in vain.

K. Edw. The wren may strive against the lion's strength,

听听听But all in vain: so vainly do I strive

听听听To seek for mercy at a tyrant's hand.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[They wash him with puddle-water, and shave his beard

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听away.

听听听Immortal powers, that know the painful cares

听听听That wait upon my poor distressed soul,

听听听O, level all your looks upon these daring men

听听听That wrong their liege and sovereign, England's king!

听听听O Gaveston, it is for thee that I am wrong'd!

听听听For me both thou and both the Spensers died;

听听听And for your sakes a thousand wrongs I'll take.

听听听The Spensers' ghosts, wherever they remain,

听听听Wish well to mine; then, tush, for them I'll die.

Mat. 'Twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity.

听听听Come, come, away! Now put the torches out:

听听听We'll enter in by darkness to Killingworth.

Gur. How now! who comes there?

Enter KENT.

Mat. Guard the king sure: it is the Earl of Kent. K. Edw. O gentle brother, help to rescue me! Mat. Keep them asunder; thrust in the king. Kent. Soldiers, let me but talk to him one word. Gur. Lay hands upon the earl for his assault. Kent. Lay down your weapons, traitors! yield the king! Mat. Edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die. Kent. Base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus? Gur. Bind him, and so convey him to the court. Kent. Where is the court but here? here is the king And I will visit him: why stay you me? Mat. The court is where Lord Mortimer remains: Thither shall your honour go; and so, farewell. [Exeunt Matrevis and Gurney with King Edward. Kent. O, miserable is that common-weal, Where lords keep courts, and kings are lock'd in prison! First Sold. Wherefore stay we? on, sirs, to the court! Kent. Ay, lead me whither you will, even to my death, Seeing that my brother cannot be releas'd. [Exeunt.

Enter the younger MORTIMER.

Y. Mor. The king must die, or Mortimer goes down;

听听听The commons now begin to pity him:

听听听Yet he that is the cause of Edward's death,

听听听Is sure to pay for it when his son's of age;

听听听And therefore will I do it cunningly.

听听听This letter, written by a friend of ours,

听听听Contains his death, yet bids then save his life;

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Reads.

听听听Edwardum occidere nolite timere, bonum est,

听听听Fear not to kill the king, 'tis good he die:

听听听But read it thus, and that's another sense;

听听听Edwardum occidere nolite, timere bonum est,

听听听Kill not the king, 'tis good to fear the worst.

听听听Unpointed as it is, thus shall it go.

听听听That, being dead, if it chance to be found,

听听听Matrevis and the rest may bear the blame,

听听听And we be quit that caus'd it to be done.

听听听Within this room is lock'd the messenger

听听听That shall convey it, and perform the rest;

听听听And, by a secret token that he bears,

听听听Shall he be murder'd when the deed is done.鈥�

听听听Lightborn, come forth!

Enter LIGHTBORN.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Art thou so resolute as thou wast?

Light. What else, my lord? and far more resolute.

Y. Mor. And hast thou cast how to accomplish it?

Light. Ay, ay; and none shall know which way he died.

Y. Mor. But at his looks, Lightborn, thou wilt relent.

Light. Relent! ha, ha! I use much to relent.

Y. Mor. Well, do it bravely, and be secret.

Light. You shall not need to give instructions;

听听听'Tis not the first time I have kill'd a man:

听听听I learn'd in Naples how to poison flowers;

听听听To strangle with a lawn thrust down the throat;

听听听To pierce the wind pipe with a needle's point;

听听听Or, whilst one is asleep, to take a quill,

听听听And blow a little powder in his ears;

听听听Or open his mouth, and pour quick-silver down.

听听听But yet I have a braver way than these.

Y. Mor. What's that?

Light. Nay, you shall pardon me; none shall know my tricks.

Y. Mor. I care not how it is, so it be not spied.

听听听Deliver this to Gurney and Matrevis: [Gives letter.

听听听At every ten-mile end thou hast a horse:

听听听Take this [Gives money]: away, and never see me more!

Light. No?

Y. Mor. No; unless thou bring me news of Edward's death.

Light. That will I quickly do. Farewell, my lord. [Exit.

Y. Mor. The prince I rule, the queen do I command,

听听听And with a lowly cong茅 to the ground

听听听The proudest lords salute me as I pass;

听听听I seal, I cancel, I do what I will.

听听听Fear'd am I more than lov'd;鈥攍et me be fear'd,

听听听And, when I frown, make all the court look pale.

听听听I view the prince with Aristarchus' eyes,

听听听Whose looks were as a breeching to a boy.

听听听They thrust upon me the protectorship,

听听听And sue to me for that that I desire;

听听听While at the council-table, grave enough,

听听听And not unlike a bashful puritan,

听听听First I complain of imbecility,

听听听Saying it is onus quam gravissimum;

听听听Till, being interrupted by my friends,

听听听Suscepi that provinciam, as they term it;

听听听And, to conclude, I am Protector now.

听听听Now all is sure: the queen and Mortimer

听听听Shall rule the realm, the king; and none rule us.

听听听Mine enemies will I plague, my friends advance;

听听听And what I list command who dare control?

听听听Major sum qu脿m cui possit fortuna nocere:

听听听And that this be the coronation-day,

听听听It pleaseth me and Isabel the queen. [Trumpets within.

听听听The trumpets sound; I must go take my place.

听听Enter KING EDWARD THE THIRD, QUEEN ISABELLA, the

听听听听ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, Champion, and Nobles.

Archb. of Cant. Long live King Edward, by the grace of God King of England and Lord of Ireland! Cham. If any Christian, Heathen, Turk, or Jew, Dares but affirm that Edward's not true king, And will avouch his saying with the sword, I am the Champion that will combat him. Y. Mor. None comes: sound, trumpets! [Trumpets. K. Edw. Third. Champion, here's to thee. [Gives purse. Q. Isab. Lord Mortimer, now take him to your charge.

Enter Soldiers with KENT prisoner.

Y. Mor. What traitor have we there with blades and bills? First Sold. Edmund the Earl of Kent. K. Edw. Third. What hath he done? First Sold. 'A would have taken the king away perforce, As we were bringing him to Killingworth. Y. Mor. Did you attempt his rescue, Edmund? speak. Kent. Mortimer, I did: he is our king, And thou compell'st this prince to wear the crown. Y. Mor. Strike off his head: he shall have martial law. Kent. Strike off my head! base traitor, I defy thee! K. Edw. Third. My lord, he is my uncle, and shall live. Y. Mor. My lord, he is your enemy, and shall die. Kent. Stay, villains! K. Edw. Third. Sweet mother, if I cannot pardon him, Entreat my Lord Protector for his life. Q. Isab. Son, be content: I dare not speak a word. K. Edw. Third. Nor I; and yet methinks I should command: But, seeing I cannot, I'll entreat for him.鈥� My lord, if you will let my uncle live, I will requite it when I come to age. Y. Mor. 'Tis for your highness' good and for the realm's.鈥� How often shall I bid you bear him hence? Kent. Art thou king? must I die at thy command? Y. Mor. At our command.鈥擮nce more, away with him! Kent. Let me but stay and speak; I will not go: Either my brother or his son is king, And none of both them thirst for Edmund's blood: And therefore, soldiers, whither will you hale me? [Soldiers hale Kent away, and carry him to be beheaded. K. Edw. Third. What safety may I look for at his hands, If that my uncle shall be murder'd thus? Q. Isab. Fear not, sweet boy; I'll guard thee from thy foes: Had Edmund liv'd, he would have sought thy death. Come, son, we'll ride a-hunting in the park. K. Edw. Third. And shall my uncle Edmund ride with us? Q. Isab. He is a traitor; think not on him: come. [Exeunt.

Enter MATREVIS and GURNEY.

Mat. Gurney, I wonder the king dies not,

听听听Being in a vault up to the knees in water,

听听听To which the channels of the castle run,

听听听From whence a damp continually ariseth,

听听听That were enough to poison any man,

听听听Much more a king, brought up so tenderly.

Gur. And so do I, Matrevis: yesternight

听听听I open'd but the door to throw him meat,

听听听And I was almost stifled with the savour.

Mat. He hath a body able to endure

听听听More than we can inflict: and therefore now

听听听Let us assail his mind another while.

Gur. Send for him out thence, and I will anger him.

Mat. But stay; who's this?

Enter LIGHTBORN.

Light. My Lord Protector greets you. [Gives letter.

Gur. What's there? I know not how to construe it.

Mat. Gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce;

听听听Edwardum occidere nolite timere,

听听听That's his meaning.

Light. Know you this token? I must have the king. [Gives token.

Mat. Ay, stay a while; thou shalt have answer straight.鈥�

听听听This villain's sent to make away the king.

Gur. I thought as much.

Mat. And, when the murder's done,

听听听See how he must be handled for his labour,鈥�

听听听Pereat iste! Let him have the king;

听听听What else?鈥擧ere is the keys, this is the lake:

听听听Do as you are commanded by my lord.

Light. I know what I must do. Get you away:

听听听Yet be not far off; I shall need your help:

听听听See that in the next room I have a fire,

听听听And get me a spit, and let it be red-hot.

Mat. Very well.

Gur. Need you anything besides?

Light. What else? a table and a feather-bed.

Gur. That's all?

Light. Ay, ay: so, when I call you, bring it in.

Mat. Fear not thou that.

Gur. Here's a light to go into the dungeon.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Gives light to Lightborn, and then exit with Matrevis.

Light. So, now.

听听听Must I about this gear: ne'er was there any

听听听So finely handled as this king shall be.鈥�

听听听Foh, here's a place indeed with all my heart!

K. Edw. Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou?

Light. To comfort you, and bring you joyful news.

K. Edw. Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks:

听听听Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me.

Light. To murder you, my most gracious lord?

听听听Far is it from my heart to do you harm.

听听听The queen sent me to see how you were us'd,

听听听For she relents at this your misery:

听听听And what eye can refrain from shedding tears,

听听听To see a king in this most piteous state?

K. Edw. Weep'st thou already? list a while to me,

听听听And then thy heart, were it as Gurney's is,

听听听Or as Matrevis', hewn from the Caucasus,

听听听Yet will it melt ere I have done my tale.

听听听This dungeon where they keep me is the sink

听听听Wherein the filth of all the castle falls.

Light. O villains!

K. Edw. And there, in mire and puddle, have I stood

听听听This ten days' space; and, lest that I should sleep,

听听听One plays continually upon a drum;

听听听They give me bread and water, being a king;

听听听So that, for want of sleep and sustenance,

听听听My mind's distemper'd, and my body's numb'd,

听听听And whether I have limbs or no I know not.

听听听O, would my blood dropp'd out from every vein,

听听听As doth this water from my tatter'd robes!

听听听Tell Isabel the queen, I look'd not thus,

听听听When for her sake I ran at tilt in France,

听听听And there unhors'd the Duke of Cleremont.

Light. O, speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart.

听听听Lie on this bed, and rest yourself a while.

K. Edw. These looks of thine can harbour naught but death;

听听听I see my tragedy written in thy brows.

听听听Yet stay a while; forbear thy bloody hand,

听听听And let me see the stroke before it comes,

听听听That even then when I shall lose my life,

听听听My mind may be more steadfast on my God.

Light. What means your highness to mistrust me thus?

K. Edw. What mean'st thou to dissemble with me thus?

Light. These hands were never stain'd with innocent blood,

听听听Nor shall they now be tainted with a king's.

K. Edw. Forgive my thought for having such a thought.

听听听One jewel have I left; receive thou this: [Gives jewel.

听听听Still fear I, and I know not what's the cause,

听听听But every joint shakes as I give it thee.

听听听O, if thou harbour'st murder in thy heart,

听听听Let this gift change thy mind, and save thy soul!

听听听Know that I am a king: O, at that name

听听听I feel a hell of grief! where is my crown?

听听听Gone, gone! and do I [still] remain alive?

Light. You're overwatch'd, my lord: lie down and rest.

K. Edw. But that grief keeps me waking, I should sleep;

听听听For not these ten days have these eye-lids clos'd.

听听听Now, as I speak, they fall; and yet with fear

听听听Open again. O, wherefore sitt'st thou here?

Light. If you mistrust me, I'll be gone, my lord.

K. Edw. No, no; for, if thou mean'st to murder me,

听听听Thou wilt return again; and therefore stay. [Sleeps.

Light. He sleeps.

K. Edw. [waking] O, let me not die yet! O, stay a while!

Light. How now, my lord!

K. Edw. Something still buzzeth in mine ears,

听听听And tells me, if I sleep, I never wake:

听听听This fear is that which makes me tremble thus;

听听听And therefore tell me, wherefore art thou come?

Light. To rid thee of thy life.鈥擬atrevis, come!

Enter MATREVIS and GURNEY.

K. Edw. I am too weak and feeble to resist.鈥�

听听听Assist me, sweet God, and receive my soul!

Light. Run for the table.

K. Edw. O, spare me, or despatch me in a trice!

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Matrevis brings in a table. King Edward is murdered

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听by holding him down on the bed with the table, and

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听stamping on it.

Light. So, lay the table down, and stamp on it,

听听听But not too hard, lest that you bruise his body.

Mat. I fear me that this cry will raise the town,

听听听And therefore let us take horse and away.

Light. Tell me, sirs, was it not bravely done?

Gur. Excellent well: take this for thy reward.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听[Stabs Lightborn, who dies.

听听听Come, let us cast the body in the moat,

听听听And bear the king's to Mortimer our lord:

听听听Away! [Exeunt with the bodies.

Enter the younger MORTIMER and MATREVIS.

Y. Mor. Is't done, Matrevis, and the murderer dead?

Mat. Ay, my good lord: I would it were undone!

Y. Mor. Matrevis, if thou now grow'st penitent,

听听听I'll be thy ghostly father; therefore choose,

听听听Whether thou wilt be secret in this,

听听听Or else die by the hand of Mortimer.

Mat. Gurney, my lord, is fled, and will, I fear,

听听听Betray us both; therefore let me fly.

Y. Mor. Fly to the savages!

Mat. I humbly thank your honour. [Exit.

Y. Mor. As for myself, I stand as Jove's huge tree,

听听听And others are but shrubs compar'd to me:

听听听All tremble at my name, and I fear none:

听听听Let's see who dare impeach me for his death!

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA.

Q. Isab. Ah, Mortimer, the king my son hath news,

听听听His father's dead, and we have murder'd him!

Y. Mor. What if he have? the king is yet a child.

Q. Isab. Ay, but he tears his hair, and wrings his hands,

听听听And vows to be reveng'd upon us both.

听听听Into the council-chamber he is gone,

听听听To crave the aid and succour of his peers.

听听听Ay me, see where he comes, and they with him!

听听听Now, Mortimer, begins our tragedy.

Enter KING EDWARD THE THIRD, Lords, and Attendants.

First Lord. Fear not, my lord; know that you are a king. K. Edw. Third. 痴颈濒濒补颈苍!鈥� Y. Mor. Ho, now, my lord! K. Edw. Third. Think not that I am frighted with thy words: My father's murder'd through thy treachery; And thou shalt die, and on his mournful hearse Thy hateful and accursed head shall lie, To witness to the world that by thy means His kingly body was too soon interr'd. Q. Isab. Weep not, sweet son. K. Edw. Third. Forbid not me to weep; he was my father; And had you lov'd him half so well as I, You could not bear his death thus patiently: But you, I fear, conspir'd with Mortimer. First Lord. Why speak you not unto my lord the king? Y. Mor. Because I think scorn to be accus'd. Who is the man dares say I murder'd him? K. Edw. Third. Traitor, in me my loving father speaks, And plainly saith, 'twas thou that murder'dst him. Y. Mor. But hath your grace no other proof than this? K. Edw. Third. Yes, if this be the hand of Mortimer. [Showing letter. Y. Mor. False Gurney hath betray'd me and himself. [Aside to Queen Isabella. Q. Isab. I fear'd as much: murder can not be hid. Y. Mor. It is my hand; what gather you by this? K. Edw. Third. That thither thou didst send a murderer. Y. Mor. What murderer? bring forth the man I sent. K. Edw. Third. Ah, Mortimer, thou know'st that he is slain! And so shalt thou be too.鈥擶hy stays he here? Bring him unto a hurdle, drag him forth; Hang him, I say, and set his quarters up: And bring his head back presently to me. Q. Isab. For my sake, sweet son, pity Mortimer! Y. Mor. Madam, entreat not: I will rather die Than sue for life unto a paltry boy. K. Edw. Third. Hence with the traitor, with the murderer! Y. Mor. Base Fortune, now I see, that in thy wheel There is a point, to which when men aspire, They tumble headlong down: that point I touch'd, And, seeing there was no place to mount up higher, Why should I grieve at my declining fall?鈥� Farewell, fair queen: weep not for Mortimer, That scorns the world, and, as a traveller, Goes to discover countries yet unknown. K. Edw. Third. What, suffer you the traitor to delay? [Exit the younger Mortimer with First Lord and some of the Attendants. Q. Isab. As thou receivest thy life from me, Spill not the blood of gentle Mortimer! K. Edw. Third. This argues that you spilt my father's blood, Else would you not entreat for Mortimer. Q. Isab. I spill his blood! no. K. Edw. Third. Ay, madam, you; for so the rumour runs. Q. Isab. That rumour is untrue: for loving thee, Is this report rais'd on poor Isabel. K. Edw. Third. I do not think her so unnatural. Sec. Lord. My lord, I fear me it will prove too true. K. Edw. Third. Mother, you are suspected for his death And therefore we commit you to the Tower, Till further trial may be made thereof. If you be guilty, though I be your son, Think not to find me slack or pitiful. Q. Isab. Nay, to my death; for too long have I liv'd, Whenas my son thinks to abridge my days. K. Edw. Third. Away with her! her words enforce these tears, And I shall pity her, if she speak again. Q. Isab. Shall I not mourn for my beloved lord? And with the rest accompany him to his grave. Sec. Lord. Thus, madam, 'tis the king's will you shall hence. Q. Isab. He hath forgotten me: stay; I am his mother. Sec. Lord. That boots not; therefore, gentle madam, go. Q. Isab. Then come, sweet death, and rid me of this grief! [Exit with Second Lord and some of the Attendants.

听听听听听Re-enter First Lord, with the head of the younger

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听MORTIMER.

First Lord. My lord, here is the head of Mortimer.

K. Edw. Third. Go fetch my father's hearse, where it shall lie;

听听听And bring my funeral robes. [Exeunt Attendants.

听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听Accursed head,

听听听Could I have rul'd thee then, as I do now,

听听听Thou hadst not hatch'd this monstrous treachery!鈥�

听听听Here comes the hearse: help me to mourn, my lords.

Re-enter Attendants, with the hearse and funeral robes.

听听听Sweet father, here unto thy murder'd ghost

听听听I offer up the wicked traitor's head;

听听听And let these tears, distilling from mine eyes,

听听听Be witness of my grief and innocency. [Exeunt.

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