DRAMATIS PERSONAE

King Edward II
Prince Edward, his son; Later King Edward III
Edmund Earl of Kent, the King's brother
Piers de Gaveston
The Earls of
       Warwick
       Lancaster
       Pembroke
       Arundel
       Leicester
       Berkeley
Mortimer the elder
Mortimer the younger, his nephew
Spencer the elder
Spencer the younger, his son
Baldock
The Bishops of
       Coventry
       Canterbury
       Winchester
Beaumont
James, one of Pembroke's men
Levune
Sir John of Hainault
Rice ap Howell
Mayor of Bristol
Trussel
Gurney
Matrevis
Lightborn
Three Poor Men
Herald
Abbot
A Mower
Champion

Isabella, Queen to Edward II
Lady Margaret de Clare, betrothed to Gaveston

Lords, Ladies, Messengers, Soldiers, Attendants, Monks.

   Enter Gaveston, reading a letter from the King.

GAVESTON. 'My father is deceased. Come Gaveston,
   And share the kingdom with thy dearest friend.'
   Ah, words that make me surfeit with delight!
   What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston
   Than live and be the favourite of a King!
   Sweet prince, I come! These, these thy amorous lines
   Might have enforced me to have swum from France,
   And, like Leander, gasped upon the sand,
   So thou wouldst smile, and take me in thine arms.
   The sight of London to my exiled eyes
   Is as Elysium to a newcome soul:
   Not that I love the city or the men,
   But that it harbours him I hold so dear,
   The King, upon whose bosom let me die,
   And with the world be still at enmity.
   What need the arctic people love starlight,
   To whom the sun shines both by day and night?
   Farewell base stooping to the lordly peers,
   My knee shall bow to none but to the King.
   As for the multitude, that are but sparks,
   Raked up in embers of their poverty,
   Tanti! I'll fawn first on the wind
   That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away.
   But how now, what are these?

   Enter three poor men.

POOR MEN. Such as desire your worship's service.
GAVESTON. What canst thou do?
FIRST POOR MAN. I can ride.
GAVESTON. But I have no horses. What art thou?
SECOND POOR MAN. A traveller.
GAVESTON. Let me see; thou wouldst do well
   To wait at my trencher, and tell me lies at dinner-
   time; and, as I like your discoursing, I'll have you.
   And what art thou?
THIRD POOR MAN. A soldier, that hath served against the Scot.
GAVESTON. Why, there are hospitals for such as you,
   I have no war, and therefore, sir, be gone.
THIRD POOR MAN. Farewell, and perish by a soldier's hand,
   That wouldst reward them with an hospital!
GAVESTON. Ay, ay, these words of his move me as much
   As if a goose should play the porpentine
   And dart her plumes, thinking to pierce my breast;
   But yet it is no pain to speak men fair;
   I'll flatter these, and make them live in hope.
   You know that I came lately out of France,
   And yet I have not viewed my lord the King.
   If I speed well, I'll entertain you all.
POOR MEN. We thank your worship.
GAVESTON. I have some business, leave me to myself.
POOR MEN. We will wait here about the court.

Exeunt all except Gaveston.

GAVESTON. Do. These are not men for me,
   I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits,
   Musicians, that with touching of a string
   May draw the pliant King which way I please.
   Music and poetry is his delight;
   Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night,
   Sweet speeches, comedies, and pleasing shows;
   And in the day, when he shall walk abroad,
   Like sylvan nymphs my pages shall be clad;
   My men, like satyrs grazing on the lawns,
   Shall with their goat feet dance the antic hay.
   Sometime a lovely boy in Dian's shape,
   With hair that gilds the water as it glides,
   Crownets of pearl about his naked arms,
   And in his sportful hands an olive tree,
   To hide those parts which men delight to see,
   Shall bathe him in a spring; and there, hard by,
   One like Actæon, peeping through the grove,
   Shall by the angry goddess be transformed,
   And running in the likeness of an hart,
   By yelping hounds pulled down, shall seem to die:
   Such things as these best please his majesty,
   My lord! Here comes the King and the nobles
   From the parliament. I'll stand aside.

   Enter the King, Lancaster, Mortimer Senior, Mortimer Junior,
   Edmund, Earl of Kent, Guy, Earl of Warwick and other Lords etc.

EDWARD. Lancaster!
LANCASTER. My lord.
GAVESTON. That Earl of Lancaster do I abhor.
EDWARD. Will you not grant me this? In spite of them
   I'll have my will; and these two Mortimers,
   That cross me thus, shall know I am displeased.
MORTIMER SENIOR. If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston.
GAVESTON. That villain Mortimer! I'll be his death.
MORTIMER. Mine uncle here, this Earl, and I myself,
   Were sworn unto your father at his death,
   That he should ne'er return into the realm:
   And know, my lord, ere I will break my oath,
   This sword of mine, that should offend your foes,
   Shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need,
   And underneath thy banners march who will,
   For Mortimer will hang his armour up.
GAVESTON. Mort dieu!
EDWARD. Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee rue these words.
   Beseems it thee to contradict thy King?
   Frown'st thou thereat, aspiring Lancaster?
   The sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows,
   And hew these knees that now are grown so stiff.
   I will have Gaveston; and you shall know
   What danger 'tis to stand against your King.
GAVESTON. Well done, Ned!
LANCASTER. My lord, why do you thus incense your peers,
   That naturally would love and honour you,
   But for that base and obscure Gaveston?
   Four earldoms have I, besides Lancaster,
   Derby, Salisbury, Lincoln, Leicester;
   These will I sell, to give my soldiers pay,
   Ere Gaveston shall stay within the realm,
   Therefore, if he be come, expel him straight.
KENT. Barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute;
   But now I'll speak, and to the proof, I hope.
   I do remember, in my father's days,
   Lord Percy of the North, being highly moved,
   Braved Mowbery in presence of the King;
   For which, had not his highness loved him well,
   He should have lost his head; but with his look
   Th'undaunted spirit of Percy was appeased,
   And Mowbery and he were reconciled:
   Yet dare you brave the King unto his face.
   Brother, revenge it, and let these their heads
   Preach upon poles, for trespass of their tongues.
WARWICK. O, our heads!
EDWARD. Ay, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant.
WARWICK. Bridle thy anger, gentle Mortimer.
MORTIMER. I cannot, nor I will not; I must speak.
   Cousin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads,
   And strike off his that makes you threaten us.
   Come, uncle, let us leave the brainsick king,
   And henceforth parley with our naked swords.
MORTIMER SENIOR. Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads.
WARWICK. All Warwickshire will leave him for my sake.
LANCASTER. And northward Lancaster hath many friends.
   Adieu, my lord; and either change your mind,
   Or look to see the throne, where you should sit,
   To float in blood, and at thy wanton head
   The glozing head of thy base minion thrown.

   Exeunt all except Edward, Kent , Gaveston and guards.

EDWARD. I cannot brook these haughty menaces:
   Am I a king, and must be overruled?
   Brother, display my ensigns in the field:
   I'll bandy with the barons and the earls,
   And either die or live with Gaveston.
GAVESTON. I can no longer keep me from my lord.
EDWARD. What, Gaveston, welcome, kiss not my hand;
   Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee.
   Why shouldst thou kneel? Know'st thou not who I am?
   Thy friend, thyself, another Gaveston.
   Not Hylas was more mourned of Hercules
   Than thou hast been of me since thy exile.
GAVESTON. And, since I went from hence, no soul in hell
   Hath felt more torment than poor Gaveston.
EDWARD. I know it. Brother, welcome home my friend.
   Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire,
   And that high-minded Earl of Lancaster:
   I have my wish, in that I joy thy sight;
   And sooner shall the sea o'erwhelm my land
   Than bear the ship that shall transport thee hence.
   I here create thee Lord High Chamberlain,
   Chief Secretary to the state and me,
   Earl of Cornwall, King and Lord of Man.
GAVESTON. My lord, these titles far exceed my worth.
KENT. Brother, the least of these may well suffice
   For one of greater birth than Gaveston.
EDWARD. Cease, brother, for I cannot brook these words.
   Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts:
   Therefore, to equal it, receive my heart.
   If for these dignities thou be envied,
   I'll give thee more, for but to honour thee
   Is Edward pleased with kingly regiment.
   Fear'st thou thy person? Thou shalt have a guard:
   Wantest thou gold? Go to my treasury:
   Wouldst thou be loved and feared? Receive my seal,
   Save or condemn, and in our name command
   Whatso thy mind affects or fancy likes.
GAVESTON. It shall suffice me to enjoy your love,
   Which whiles I have, I think myself as great
   As Cæsar riding in the Roman street,
   With captive kings at his triumphant car.

   Enter The Bishop of Coventry.

EDWARD. Whither goes my lord of Coventry so fast?
COVENTRY. To celebrate your father's exequies.
   But is that wicked Gaveston returned?
EDWARD. Ay, priest, and lives to be revenged on thee,
   That wert the only cause of his exile.
GAVESTON. 'Tis true; and, but for reverence of these robes,
   Thou shouldst not plod one foot beyond this place.
COVENTRY. I did no more than I was bound to do:
   And, Gaveston, unless thou be reclaimed,
   As then I did incense the parliament,
   So will I now, and thou shalt back to France.
GAVESTON. Saving your reverence, you must pardon me.
EDWARD. Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole,
   And in the Channel christen him anew.
KENT. Ah, brother, lay not violent hands on him,
   For he'll complain unto the see of Rome.
GAVESTON. Let him complain unto the See of Hell!
   I'll be revenged on him for my exile.
EDWARD. 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.
GAVESTON. He shall to prison, and there die in bolts.
EDWARD. Ay, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt.
COVENTRY. For this offense be thou accursed of God!
EDWARD. Who's there? Convey this priest unto the Tower.
COVENTRY. True, true!

Exit Coventry and guards.

EDWARD. 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.
GAVESTON. What should a priest do with so fair a house?
   A prison may beseem his holiness.

   Exeunt.

   Enter Mortimer Senior, Mortimer Junior, Warwick, and Lancaster.

WARWICK. 'Tis true, the bishop is in the Tower,
   And goods and body given to Gaveston.
LANCASTER. What! Will they tyrannize upon the church?
   Ah, wicked King! Accursed Gaveston!
   This ground, which is corrupted with their steps,
   Shall be their timeless sepulchre or mine.
MORTIMER. Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure;
   Unless his breast be swordproof, he shall die.
MORTIMER SENIOR. How now! Why droops the Earl of Lancaster?
MORTIMER. Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent?
LANCASTER. That villain Gaveston is made an earl.
MORTIMER SENIOR. An earl!
WARWICK. Ay, and besides Lord Chamberlain of the realm,
   And Secretary too, and Lord of Man.
MORTIMER SENIOR. We may not nor we will not suffer this.
MORTIMER. Why post we not from hence to levy men?
LANCASTER. "My lord of Cornwall" now at every word;
   And happy is the man whom he vouchsafes,
   For vailing of his bonnet, one good look.
   Thus, arm in arm, the King and he doth march:
   Nay, more, the guard upon his lordship waits,
   And all the court begins to flatter him.
WARWICK. Thus leaning on the shoulder of the King,
   He nods, and scorns, and smiles at those that pass.
MORTIMER SENIOR. Doth no man take exceptions at the slave?
LANCASTER. All stomach him, but none dares speak a word.
MORTIMER. Ah, that bewrays their baseness, Lancaster!
   Were all the earls and barons of my mind,
   We'd hale him from the bosom of the King,
   And at the court gate hang the peasant up,
   Who, swoll'n with venom of ambitious pride,
   Will be the ruin of the realm and us.

   Enter the Bishop of Canterbury with Attendant

WARWICK. Here comes my Lord of Canterbury's grace.
LANCASTER. His countenance bewrays he is displeased.
CANTERBURY. First, were his sacred garments rent and torn;
   Then laid they violent hands upon him; next,
   Himself imprisoned, and his goods asseized.
   This certify the Pope: away, take horse.

   Exit Attendant

LANCASTER. My lord, will you take arms against the King?
CANTERBURY. What need I? God himself is up in arms
   When violence is offered to the church.
MORTIMER. Then will you join with us, that be his peers,
   To banish or behead that Gaveston?
CANTERBURY. What else, my lords? For it concerns me near;
   The bishopric of Coventry is his.

   Enter the Queen.

MORTIMER. Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast?
ISABELLA. Unto the forest, gentle Mortimer,
   To live in grief and baleful discontent;
   For now my lord the King regards me not,
   But dotes upon the love of Gaveston.
   He claps his cheeks and hangs about his neck,
   Smiles in his face, and whispers in his ears;
   And, when I come, he frowns, as who should say,
   "go whither thou wilt, seeing I have Gaveston."
MORTIMER SENIOR. Is it not strange that he is thus bewitched?
MORTIMER. Madam, return unto the court again.
   That sly inveigling Frenchman we'll exile,
   Or lose our lives; and yet, ere that day come,
   The King shall lose his crown; for we have power,
   And courage too, to be revenged at full.
CANTERBURY. But yet lift not your swords against the King.
LANCASTER. No; but we'll lift Gaveston from hence.
WARWICK. And war must be the means, or he'll stay still.
ISABELLA. Then let him stay; for, rather than my lord
   Shall be oppressed by civil mutinies,
   I will endure a melancholy life,
   And let him frolic with his minion.
CANTERBURY. My lords, to ease all this, but hear me speak:
   We and the rest, that are his counselors,
   Will meet, and with a general consent
   Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals.
LANCASTER. What we confirm the King will frustrate.
MORTIMER. Then may we lawfully revolt from him.
WARWICK. But say, my lord, where shall this meeting be?
CANTERBURY. At the New Temple.
MORTIMER. Content.
CANTERBURY. And in the meantime, I'll entreat you all
   To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me.
LANCASTER. Come, then, let's away.
MORTIMER. Madam, farewell.
ISABELLA. Farewell, sweet Mortimer, and, for my sake,
   Forbear to levy arms against the King.
MORTIMER. Ay, if words will serve; if not, I must.

   Exeunt

   Enter Gaveston and the Earl of Kent.

GAVESTON. Edmund, the mighty prince of Lancaster,
   That hath more earldoms than an ass can bear,
   And both the Mortimers, two goodly men,
   With Guy of Warwick, that redoubted knight,
   Are gone towards Lambeth. There let them remain.

   Exeunt.

Enter Lancaster, Warwick, Pembroke, Mortimer Senior, Mortimer Junior & Bishop of Canterbury.

LANCASTER. Here is the form of Gaveston's exile;
   May it please your lordship to subscribe your name.
CANTERBURY. Give me the paper.
LANCASTER. Quick, quick, my lord; I long to write my name.
WARWICK. But I long more to see him banished hence.
MORTIMER. The name of Mortimer shall fright the King,
   Unless he be declined from that base peasant.

   Enter the King, Gaveston and Kent.

EDWARD. What? Are you moved that Gaveston sits here?
   It is our pleasure; we will have it so.
LANCASTER. Your grace doth well to place him by your side,
   For nowhere else the new Earl is so safe.
MORTIMER SENIOR. What man of noble birth can brook this sight?
   Quam male conveniunt!    (How ill-suited they are)
   See what a scornful look the peasant casts.
PEMBROKE. Can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants?
WARWICK. Ignoble vassal, that, like Phaeton,
   Aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun!
MORTIMER. Their downfall is at hand, their forces down:
   We will not thus be faced and overpeered.
EDWARD. Lay hands upon that traitor Mortimer!
MORTIMER SENIOR. Lay hands upon that traitor Gaveston!
KENT. Is this the duty that you owe your king?
WARWICK. We know our duties; let him know his peers.
EDWARD. Whither will you bear him? Stay, or ye shall die.
MORTIMER SENIOR. We are no traitors, therefore threaten not.
GAVESTON. No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home.
   Were I a King...
MORTIMER. Thou, villain! Wherefore talk'st thou of a king,
   That hardly art a gentleman by birth?
EDWARD. Were he a peasant, being my minion,
   I'll make the proudest of you stoop to him.
LANCASTER. My lord, you may not thus disparage us.
   Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston!
MORTIMER SENIOR. And with the Earl of Kent that favours him.

   Exeunt Kent & Gaveston, guarded

EDWARD. Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your King!
   Here, Mortimer, sit thou in Edward's throne;
   Warwick and Lancaster, wear you my crown.
   Was ever king thus overruled as I?
LANCASTER. Learn, then, to rule us better, and the realm.
MORTIMER. What we have done, our heart blood shall maintain
WARWICK. Think you that we can brook this upstart pride?
EDWARD. Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech.
CANTERBURY. Why are you moved? Be patient, my lord,
   And see what we your counselors have done.
MORTIMER. My lords, now let us all be resolute,
   And either have our wills, or lose our lives.
EDWARD. Meet you for this, proud overdaring peers?
   Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me,
   This isle shall fleet upon the ocean,
   And wander to the unfrequented Inde.
CANTERBURY. You know that I am legate to the Pope;
   On your allegiance to the See of Rome,
   Subscribe, as we have done, to his exile.
MORTIMER. Curse him, if he refuse; and then may we
   Depose him, and elect another king.
EDWARD. Ay, there it goes! But yet I will not yield:
   Curse me, depose me, do the worst you can.
LANCASTER. Then linger not, my lord, but do it straight.
CANTERBURY. Remember how the bishop was abused.
   Either banish him that was the cause thereof,
   Or I will presently discharge these lords
   Of duty and allegiance due to thee.
EDWARD. It boots me not to threat; I must speak fair:
   The legate of the Pope will be obeyed.
   My lord, you shall be Chancellor of the realm;
   Thou, Lancaster, High Admiral of our fleet;
   Young Mortimer and his uncle shall be Earls;
   And you, lord Warwick, President of the North;
   And thou of Wales. If this content you not,
   Make several kingdoms of this monarchy,
   And share it equally amongst you all,
   So I may have some nook or corner left
   To frolic with my dearest Gaveston.
CANTERBURY. Nothing shall alter us; we are resolved.
LANCASTER. Come, come, subscribe.
MORTIMER. Why should you love him whom the world hates so?
EDWARD. Because he loves me more than all the world.
   Ah, none but rude and savage minded men
   Would seek the ruin of my Gaveston,
   You that be noble-born should pity him.
WARWICK. You that are princely born should shake him off:
   For shame, subscribe, and let the lown depart.
MORTIMER SENIOR. Urge him, my lord.
CANTERBURY. Are you content to banish him the realm?
EDWARD. I see I must, and therefore am content:
   Instead of ink, I'll write it with my tears.
MORTIMER. The King is lovesick for his minion.
EDWARD. 'Tis done: and now, accursed hand, fall off!
LANCASTER. Give it me: I'll have it published in the streets.
MORTIMER. I'll see him presently dispatched away.
CANTERBURY. Now is my heart at ease.
WARWICK. And so is mine.
PEMBROKE. This will be good news to the common sort.
MORTIMER SENIOR. Be it or no, he shall not linger here.

   Exeunt all except Edward.

EDWARD. How fast they run to banish him I love!
   They would not stir, were it to do me good.
   Why should a King be subject to a priest?
   Proud Rome, that hatchest such imperial grooms,
   With these thy superstitious taperlights,
   Wherewith thy antichristian churches blaze,
   I'll fire thy crazed buildings, and enforce
   The papal towers to kiss the lowly ground,
   With slaughtered priests make Tiber's channel swell,
   And banks raised higher with their sepulchres!
   As for the peers, that back the clergy thus,
   If I be King, not one of them shall live.

   Enter Gaveston.

GAVESTON. My Lord, I hear it whispered everywhere
   That I am banished and must fly the land.
EDWARD. 'Tis true, sweet Gaveston; oh, were it false!
   The legate of the Pope will have it so,
   And thou must hence, or I shall be deposed.
   But I will reign to be revenged of them;
   And therefore, sweet friend, take it patiently.
   Live where thou wilt, I'll send thee gold enough;
   And long thou shall not stay; or, if thou dost,
   I'll come to thee; my love shall ne'er decline.
GAVESTON. Is all my hope turned to this hell of grief?
EDWARD. Rend not my heart with thy too piercing words:
   Thou from this land, I from myself am banished.
GAVESTON. To go from hence grieves not poor Gaveston;
   But to forsake you, in whose gracious looks
   The blessedness of Gaveston remains;
   For nowhere else seeks he felicity.
EDWARD. And only this torments my wretched soul,
   That, whether I will or no, thou must depart.
   Be Governor of Ireland in my stead,
   And there abide till fortune call thee home.
   Here, take my picture, and let me wear thine.
   O, might I keep thee here, as I do this,
   Happy were I, but now most miserable.
GAVESTON. 'Tis something to be pitied of a King.
EDWARD. Thou shalt not hence; I'll hide thee, Gaveston.
GAVESTON. I shall be found, and then 'twill grieve me more.
EDWARD. Kind words and mutual talk makes our grief greater.
   Therefore, with dumb embracement, let us part.
   Stay, Gaveston; I cannot leave thee thus.
GAVESTON. For every look, my love drops down a tear:
   Seeing I must go, do not renew my sorrow.
EDWARD. The time is little that thou hast to stay,
   And, therefore, give me leave to look my fill.
   But, come, sweet friend; I'll bear thee on thy way.
GAVESTON. The peers will frown.
EDWARD. I pass not for their anger. Come, let's go:
   O, that we might as well return as go!

   Enter Queen Isabella.

ISABELLA. Whither goes my lord?
EDWARD. Fawn not on me, French strumpet. Get thee gone.
ISABELLA. On whom but on my husband, should I fawn?
GAVESTON. On Mortimer; with whom, ungentle Queen ...
   I say no more, judge you the rest, my lord.
ISABELLA. In saying this, thou wrong'st me, Gaveston:
   Is't not enough that thou corrupt'st my lord,
   And art a bawd to his affections,
   But thou must call mine honour thus in question?
GAVESTON. I mean not so; you grace must pardon me.
EDWARD. Thou art too familiar with that Mortimer,
   And by thy means is Gaveston exiled,
   But I would wish thee reconcile the lords,
   Or thou shalt ne'er be reconciled to me.
ISABELLA. Your highness knows, it lies not in my power.
EDWARD. Away, then! Touch me not. Come, Gaveston.
ISABELLA. Villain, 'tis thou that robb'st me of my lord.
GAVESTON. Madam, 'tis you that rob me of my lord.
EDWARD. Speak not unto her: let her droop and pine.
ISABELLA. Wherein, my lord, have I deserved these words?
   Witness the tears that Isabella sheds,
   Witness this heart, that, sighing for thee, breaks,
   How dear my lord is to poor Isabel!
EDWARD. And witness heaven how dear thou art to me:
   There weep; for, till my Gaveston be repealed,
   Assure thyself thou com'st not in my sight.

   Exeunt Edward and Gaveston.

ISABELLA. O miserable and distressed Queen!
   Would, when I left sweet France, and was embarked,
   That charming Circe, walking on the waves,
   Had changed my shape, or at the marriage day
   The cup of Hymen had been full of poison,
   Or with those arms, that twined about my neck
   I had been stifled, and not lived to see
   The King my lord thus to abandon me!
   Like frantic Juno will I fill the earth
   With ghastly murmur of my sighs and cries;
   For never doted Jove on Ganymede
   So much as he on cursed Gaveston:
   But that will more exasperate his wrath;
   I must entreat him, I must speak him fair,
   And be a means to call home Gaveston:
   And yet he'll ever dote on Gaveston;
And so am I for ever miserable.

   Enter the nobles to the Queen.

LANCASTER. Look where the sister of the King of France
   Sits wringing of her hands and beats her breast!
WARWICK. The King I fear, hath ill entreated her.
PEMBROKE. Hard is the heart that injures such a saint.
MORTIMER. I know 'tis long of Gaveston she weeps.
MORTIMER SENIOR. Why? He is gone.
MORTIMER. Madam, how fares your grace?
ISABELLA. Ah, Mortimer, now breaks the King's hate forth,
   And he confesseth that he loves me not!
MORTIMER. Cry quittance, madam, then, and love not him.
ISABELLA. No, rather will I die a thousand deaths,
   And yet I love in vain; he'll ne'er love me.
LANCASTER. Fear ye not, madam; now his minion's gone,
   His wanton humour will be quickly left.
ISABELLA. O, never, Lancaster! I am enjoined
   To sue unto you all for his repeal:
   This wills my lord, and this must I perform,
   Or else be banished from his highness' presence.
LANCASTER. For his repeal? Madam! he comes not back,
   Unless the sea cast up his shipwracked body.
WARWICK. And to behold so sweet a sight as that,
   There's none here but would run his horse to death.
MORTIMER. But, madam, would you have us call him home?
ISABELLA. Ay, Mortimer, for, till he be restored,
   The angry King hath banished me the court;
   And, therefore, as thou lov'st and tender'st me,
   Be thou my advocate unto these peers.
MORTIMER. What, would you have me plead for Gaveston?
MORTIMER SENIOR. Plead for him he that will, I am resolved.
LANCASTER. And so am I, my lord. Dissuade the Queen.
ISABELLA. O, Lancaster, let him dissuade the King,
   For 'tis against my will he should return.
WARWICK. Then speak not for him; let the peasant go.
ISABELLA. 'Tis for myself I speak, and not for him.
PEMBROKE. No speaking will prevail; and therefore cease.
MORTIMER. Fair Queen, forbear to angle for the fish
   Which, being caught, strikes him that takes it dead;
   I mean that vile torpedo, Gaveston, That now, I hope, floats on the Irish seas.
ISABELLA. Sweet Mortimer, sit down by me a while,
   And I will tell thee reasons of such weight
   As thou wilt soon subscribe to his repeal.
MORTIMER. It is impossible: but speak your mind.
ISABELLA. Then thus; but none shall hear it but ourselves.
LANCASTER. My lords, albeit the Queen win Mortimer,
   Will you be resolute and hold with me?
MORTIMER SENIOR. Not I, against my nephew.
PEMBROKE. Fear not; the Queen's words cannot alter him.
WARWICK. No? Do but mark how earnestly she pleads!
LANCASTER. And see how coldly his looks make denial!
WARWICK. She smiles: now, for my life, his mind is changed!
LANCASTER. I'll rather lose his friendship, I, than grant.
MORTIMER. Well, of necessity it must be so.
   My lords, that I abhor base Gaveston
   I hope your honours make no question,
   And therefore, though I plead for his repeal,
   'Tis not for his sake, but for our avail;
   Nay, for the realm's behoof, and for the King's.
LANCASTER. Fie, Mortimer, dishonour not thyself!
   Can this be true, 'twas good to banish him?
   And is this true, to call him home again?
   Such reasons make white black, and dark night day.
MORTIMER. My lord of Lancaster, mark the respect.
LANCASTER. In no respect can contraries be true.
ISABELLA. Yet, good my lord, hear what he can allege.
WARWICK. All that he speaks is nothing; we are resolved.
MORTIMER. Do you not wish that Gaveston were dead?
PEMBROKE. I would he were!
MORTIMER. Why then, my lord, give me but leave to speak.
MORTIMER SENIOR. But, nephew, do not play the sophister.
MORTIMER. This which I urge is of a burning zeal
   To mend the King and do our country good.
   Know you not Gaveston hath store of gold,
   Which may in Ireland purchase him such friends
   As he will front the mightiest of us all?
   And whereas he shall live and be beloved,
   'Tis hard for us to work his overthrow.
WARWICK. Mark you but that, my lord of Lancaster.
MORTIMER. But, were he here, detested as he is,
   How easily might some base slave be suborned
   To greet his lordship with a poniard;
   And none so much as blame the murderer,
   But rather praise him for that brave attempt,
   And in the chronicle enroll his name
   For purging of the realm of such a plague!
PEMBROKE. He saith true.
LANCASTER. Ay, but how chance this was not done before?
MORTIMER. Because, my lords, it was not thought upon;
   Nay, more, when he shall know it lies in us
   To banish him, and then to call him home,
   'Twill make him vail the top flag of his pride,
   And fear to offend the meanest nobleman.
MORTIMER SENIOR. But how if he do not, nephew?
MORTIMER. Then may we with some colour rise in arms;
   For, howsoever we have borne it out,
   'Tis treason to be up against the King.
   So shall we have the people of our side,
   Which, for his father's sake lean to the King,
   But cannot brook a night-grown mushrump,
   Such a one as my lord of Cornwall is,
   Should bear us down of the nobility.
   And, when the commons and the nobles join,
   'Tis not the King can buckler Gaveston.
   We'll pull him from the strongest hold he hath.
   My lords, if to perform this I be slack,
   Think me as base a groom as Gaveston.
LANCASTER. On that condition Lancaster will grant.
PEMBROKE. And so will Pembroke.
WARWICK. And I.
MORTIMER SENIOR. And I.
MORTIMER. In this I count me highly gratified,
   And Mortimer will rest at your command.
ISABELLA. And when this favour Isabel forgets,
   Then let her live abandoned and forlorn.
   But see, in happy time, my lord the King,
   Having brought the Earl of Cornwall on his way,
   Is new returned. This news will glad him much:
   Yet not so much as me. I love him more
   Than he can Gaveston: would he loved me
   But half so much! Then were I treble blest.

   Enter King Edward, mourning, with Beaumont.

EDWARD. He's gone, and for his absence thus I mourn.
   Did never sorrow go so near my heart
   As doth the want of my sweet Gaveston?
   And, could my crown's revenue bring him back,
   I would freely give it to his enemies,
   And think I gained, having bought so dear a friend.
ISABELLA. Hark, how he harps upon his minion!
EDWARD. My heart is as an anvil unto sorrow,
   Which beats upon it like the Cyclops' hammers,
   And with the noise turns up my giddy brain,
   And makes me frantic for my Gaveston.
   Ah, had some bloodless Fury rose from hell,
   And with my kingly sceptre struck me dead,
   When I was forced to leave my Gaveston!
LANCASTER. Diabolo, what passions call you these?
ISABELLA. My gracious lord, I come to bring you news.
EDWARD. That you have parlied with your Mortimer?
ISABELLA. That Gaveston, my lord, shall be repealed.
EDWARD. Repealed! The news is too sweet to be true.
ISABELLA. But will you love me, if you find it so?
EDWARD. If it be so, what will not Edward do?
ISABELLA. For Gaveston, but not for Isabel.
EDWARD. For thee, fair Queen, if thou lovest Gaveston,
   I'll hang a golden tongue about thy neck,
   Seeing thou hast pleaded with so good success.
ISABELLA. No other jewels hang about my neck
   Than these, my lord; nor let me have more wealth
   Than I may fetch from this rich treasury.
   O, how a kiss revives poor Isabel!
EDWARD. Once more receive my hand; and let this be
   A second marriage 'twixt thyself and me.
ISABELLA. And may it prove more happy than the first!
   My gentle lord, bespeak these nobles fair,
   That wait attendance for a gracious look,
   And on their knees salute your majesty.
EDWARD. Courageous Lancaster, embrace thy King;
   And, as gross vapours perish by the sun,
   Even so let hatred with thy sovereign's smile:
   Live thou with me as my companion.
LANCASTER. This salutation overjoys my heart.
EDWARD. Warwick shall be my chiefest counselor.
   These silver hairs will more adorn my court
   Than gaudy silks or rich embroidery.
   Chide me, sweet Warwick, if I go astray.
WARWICK. Slay me, my lord, when I offend your grace.
EDWARD. In solemn triumphs and in public shows
   Pembroke shall bear the sword before the King.
PEMBROKE. And with this sword Pembroke will fight for you.
EDWARD. But wherefore walks young Mortimer aside?
   Be thou commander of our royal fleet;
   Or if that lofty office like thee not,
   I make thee here Lord Marshal of the realm.
MORTIMER. My lord, I'll marshal so your enemies,
   As England shall be quiet, and you safe.
EDWARD. And as for you, Lord Mortimer of Chirk,
   Whose great achievements in our foreign war
   Deserve no common place nor mean reward,
   Be you the general of the levied troops
   That now are ready to assail the Scots.
MORTIMER SENIOR. In this your grace hath highly honoured me,
   For with my nature war doth best agree.
ISABELLA. Now is the King of England rich and strong,
   Having the love of his renowned peers.
EDWARD. Ay, Isabel, ne'er was my heart so light.
   Clerk of the crown, direct our warrant forth,
   For Gaveston, to Ireland! Beaumont fly,
   As fast as Iris or Jove's Mercury.
BEAUMONT. It shall be done, my gracious lord.

Exit.

EDWARD. Lord Mortimer, we leave you to your charge.
   Now let us in, and feast it royally.
   Against our friend the Earl of Cornwall comes
   We'll have a general tilt and tournament;
   And then his marriage shall be solemnized;
   For wot you not that I have made him sure
   Unto our cousin, the Earl of Gloucester's heir?
LANCASTER. Such news we hear, my lord.
EDWARD. That day, if not for him, yet for my sake,
   Who in the triumph will be challenger,
   Spare for no cost; we will requite your love.
WARWICK. In this or aught your highness shall command us.
EDWARD. Thanks, gentle Warwick. Come, let's in and revel.

   Exeunt all except the Mortimers.

MORTIMER SENIOR. Nephew, I must to Scotland: thou stayest here.
   Leave now to oppose thyself against the King:
   Thou seest by nature he is mild and calm;
   And seeing his mind so dotes on Gaveston,
   Let him without controlment have his will.
   The mightiest Kings have had their minions
   Great Alexander loved Hephaestion,
   The conquering Hercules for Hylas wept,
   And for Patroclus stern Achilles droop'd.
   And not kings only, but the wisest men;
   The Roman Tully loved Octavius,
   Grave Socrates wild Alcibiades.
   Then let his grace, whose youth is flexible,
   And promiseth as much as we can wish,
   Freely enjoy that vain lightheaded earl;
   For riper years will wean him from such toys.
MORTIMER. Uncle, his wanton humour grieves not me;
   But this I scorn, that one so basely born
   Should by his sovereign's favour grow so pert,
   And riot it with the treasure of the realm,
   While soldiers mutiny for want of pay.
   He wears a lord's revenue on his back,
   And, Midas-like, he jets it in the court,
   With base outlandish cullions at his heels,
   Whose proud fantastic liveries make such show
   As if that Proteus, god of shapes, appeared.
   I have not seen a dapper jack so brisk.
   He wears a short Italian hooded cloak,
   Larded with pearl, and in his Tuscan cap
   A jewel of more value than the crown.
   While others walk below, the King and he,
   From out a window, laugh at such as we,
   And flout our train, and jest at our attire.
   Uncle, 'tis this that makes me impatient.
MORTIMER SENIOR. But, nephew, now you see the King is changed.
MORTIMER. Then so am I, and live to do him service:
   But, while I have a sword, a hand, a heart,
   I will not yield to any such upstart.
   You know my mind: come, uncle, let's away.

Exeunt.

   Enter Spencer and Baldock.

BALDOCK. Spencer,
   Seeing that our lord th' Earl of Gloucester's dead,
   Which of the nobles dost thou mean to serve?
SPENCER. Not Mortimer, nor any of his side,
   Because the King and he are enemies.
   Baldock, learn this of me: a factious lord
   Shall hardly do himself good, much less us;
   But he that hath the favour of a King
   May with one word advance us while we live.
   The liberal Earl of Cornwall is the man
   On whose good fortune Spencer's hope depends.
BALDOCK. What, mean you, then, to be his follower?
SPENCER. No, his companion, for he loves me well.
   And would have once preferred me to the King.
BALDOCK. But he is banished; there's small hope of him.
SPENCER. Ay, for a while; but, Baldock, mark the end.
   A friend of mine told me in secrecy
   That he's repealed and sent for back again;
   And even now a post came from the court
   With letters to our lady from the King;
   And, as she read, she smiled; which makes me think
   It is about her lover Gaveston.
BALDOCK. 'Tis like enough; for, since he was exiled,
   She neither walks abroad nor comes in sight.
   But I had thought the match had been broke off,
   And that his banishment had changed her mind.
SPENCER. Our lady's first love is not wavering;
   My life for thine, she will have Gaveston.
BALDOCK. Then hope I by her means to be preferred,
   Having read unto her since she was a child.
SPENCER. Then, Baldock, you must cast the scholar off,
   And learn to court it like a gentleman.
   'Tis not a black coat and a little band,
   A velvet caped cloak, faced before with serge,
   And smelling to a nosegay all the day,
   Or holding of a napkin in your hand,
   Or saying a long grace at a table's end,
   Or making low legs to a nobleman,
   Or looking downward, with your eyelids close,
   And saying, "truly, an't may please your honour,"
   Can get you any favour with great men:
   You must be proud, bold, pleasant, resolute,
   And now and then stab, as occasion serves.
BALDOCK. Spencer, thou knowest I hate such formal toys,
   And use them but of mere hypocrisy.
   Mine old lord whiles he lived, was so precise,
   That he would take exceptions at my buttons,
   And being like pins' heads, blame me for the bigness,
   Which made me curate-like in mine attire,
   Though inwardly licentious enough,
   And apt for any kind of villainy.
   I am none of these common pedants I,
   That cannot speak without propterea quod.   (because)
SPENCER. But one of those that saith quandoquidem,   (because)
   And hath a special gift to form a verb.
BALDOCK. Leave off this jesting, here my lady comes.

   Enter the Lady (Margaret de Clare).

LADY MARGARET. The grief for his exile was not so much,
   As is the joy of his returning home.
   This letter came from my sweet Gaveston.
   What needst thou love, thus to excuse thyself?
   I know thou couldst not come and visit me.
   'I will not long be from thee though I die:'
   This argues the entire love of my lord.
   'When I forsake thee, death seize on my heart,'
   But rest thee here where Gaveston shall sleep.
   Now to the letter of my lord the King.
   He wills me to repair unto the court,
   And meet my Gaveston. Why do I stay,
   Seeing that he talks thus of my marriage day?
   Who's there? Baldock!
   See that my coach be ready, I must hence.
BALDOCK. It shall be done, madam.

Exit.

LADY MARGARET. And meet me at the park pale presently.
   Spencer, stay you and bear me company,
   For I have joyful news to tell thee of.
   My lord of Cornwall is a-coming over,
   And will be at the court as soon as we.
SPENCER. I knew the King would have him home again.
LADY MARGARET. If all things sort out, as I hope they will,
   Thy service, Spencer, shall be thought upon.
SPENCER. I humbly thank your ladyship.
LADY MARGARET. Come lead the way, I long till I am there.

Exeunt

   Enter Edward, the Queen, Lancaster, Mortimer, Warwick, Pembroke, Kent, Attendants.

EDWARD. The wind is good, I wonder why he stays,
   I fear me he is wracked upon the sea.
ISABELLA. Look Lancaster how passionate he is,
   And still his mind runs on his minion.
LANCASTER. My lord.
EDWARD. How now, what news? Is Gaveston arrived?
MORTIMER. Nothing but Gaveston! What means your grace?
   You have matters of more weight to think upon,
   The King of France sets foot in Normandy.
EDWARD. A trifle! We'll expel him when we please.
   But tell me Mortimer, what's thy device,
   Against the stately triumph we decreed?
MORTIMER. A homely one my lord, not worth the telling.
EDWARD. Prithee let me know it.
MORTIMER. But seeing you're so desirous, thus it is:
   A lofty cedar tree fair flourishing,
   On whose top branches kingly eagles perch,
   And by the bark a canker creeps me up,
   And gets unto the highest bough of all.
   The motto: aeque tandem.   (Equal at last)
EDWARD. And what is yours, my lord of Lancaster?
LANCASTER. My lord, mine's more obscure than Mortimer's.
   Pliny reports, there is a flying fish,
   Which all the other fishes deadly hate,
   And therefore being pursued, it takes the air:
   No sooner is it up, but there's a fowl
   That seizeth it: this fish, my lord, I bear,
   The motto this: undique mors est.   (Death on all sides)
EDWARD. Proud Mortimer, ungentle Lancaster,
   Is this the love you bear your sovereign?
   Is this the fruit your reconcilement bears?
   Can you in words make show of amity,
   And in your shields display your rancourous minds?
   What call you this but private libeling
   Against the Earl of Cornwall and my brother?
ISABELLA. Sweet husband, be content; they all love you.
EDWARD. They love me not that hate my Gaveston.
   I am that cedar; shake me not too much;
   And you the eagles, soar ye ne'er so high,
   I have the jesses that will pull you down;
   And aeque tandem shall that canker cry
   Unto the proudest peer of Brittany.
   Though thou compar'st him to a flying fish,
   And threatenest death whether he rise or fall,
   'Tis not the hugest monster of the sea,
   Nor foulest harpy, that shall swallow him.
MORTIMER. If in his absence thus he favours him,
   What will he do whenas he shall be present?
LANCASTER. That shall we see: look, where his lordship comes!

   Enter Gaveston.

EDWARD. My Gaveston!
   Welcome to Tynemouth! Welcome to thy friend!
   Thy absence made me droop and pine away;
   For, as the lovers of fair Danae,
   When she was locked up in a brazen tower,
   Desired her more, and waxed outrageous,
   So did it sure with me: and now thy sight
   Is sweeter far than was thy parting hence
   Bitter and irksome to my sobbing heart.
GAVESTON. Sweet lord and king, your speech preventeth mine,
   Yet have I words left to express my joy:
   The shepherd, nipped with biting winter's rage,
   Frolics not more to see the painted spring
   Than I do to behold your majesty.
EDWARD. Will none of you salute my Gaveston?
LANCASTER. Salute him? Yes. Welcome, Lord Chamberlain!
MORTIMER. Welcome is the good Earl of Cornwall!
WARWICK. Welcome, Lord Governor of the Isle of Man!
PEMBROKE. Welcome, master Secretary!
KENT. Brother, do you hear them?
EDWARD. Still will these earls and barons use me thus?
GAVESTON. My lord, I cannot brook these injuries.
ISABELLA. Ay me, poor soul, when these begin to jar!
EDWARD. Return it to their throats; I'll be thy warrant.
GAVESTON. 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.
LANCASTER. Yet I disdain not to do this for you.

Draws his sword.

EDWARD. Treason, treason! Where's the traitor?
PEMBROKE. Here, here!
EDWARD. Convey hence Gaveston; they'll murder him.
GAVESTON. The life of thee shall salve this foul disgrace.
MORTIMER. Villain, thy life unless I miss mine aim.

Wounds Gaveston.

ISABELLA. Ah, furious Mortimer, what hast thou done?
MORTIMER. No more than I would answer, were he slain.

Exit Gaveston with attendants.

EDWARD. Yes, more than thou canst answer, though he live;
   Dear shall you both aby this riotous deed.
   Out of my presence! Come not near the court.
MORTIMER. I'll not be barred the court for Gaveston.
LANCASTER. We'll hale him by the ears unto the block.
EDWARD. Look to your own heads; his is sure enough.
WARWICK. Look to your own crown, if you back him thus.
KENT. Warwick, these words do ill beseem thy years.
EDWARD. 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.

Exit King, Queen and Kent.

WARWICK. Let's to our castles, for the King is moved.
MORTIMER. Moved may he be, and perish in his wrath!
LANCASTER. 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.
MORTIMER. By heaven, the abject villain shall not live!
WARWICK. I'll have his blood, or die in seeking it.
PEMBROKE. The like oath Pembroke takes.
LANCASTER. And so doth Lancaster.
   Now send our heralds to defy the King;
   And make the people swear to put him down.

   Enter a Post.

MORTIMER. Letters? From whence?
POST. From Scotland, my lord.
LANCASTER. Why, how now, cousin, how fare all our friends?
MORTIMER. My uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots.
LANCASTER. We'll have him ransomed, man, be of good cheer.
MORTIMER. 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.
LANCASTER. Do, cousin, and I'll bear thee company.
WARWICK. Meantime my lord of Pembroke and myself
   Will to Newcastle here, and gather head.
MORTIMER. About it, then, and we will follow you.
LANCASTER. Be resolute and full of secrecy.
WARWICK. I warrant you.

Exeunt all except Mortimer & Lancaster.

MORTIMER. Cousin, and if he will not ransom him,
   I'll thunder such a peal into his ears
   As never subject did unto his king.
LANCASTER. Content; I'll bear my part. Holla, who's there?

Enter Guard.

MORTIMER. Ay, marry, such a guard as this doth well.
LANCASTER. Lead on the way.
GUARD. Whither will your lordships?
MORTIMER. Whither else but to the King?
GUARD. His highness is disposed to be alone.
LANCASTER. Why, so he may; but we will speak to him.
GUARD. You may not in, my lord.
MORTIMER. May we not?

   Enter Edward and Kent

EDWARD. How now, what noise is this?
   Who have we there? Is't you?
MORTIMER. Nay, stay, my lord; I come to bring you news;
   Mine uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots.
EDWARD. Then ransom him.
LANCASTER. 'Twas in your wars. You should ransom him.
MORTIMER. And you shall ransom him, or else...
KENT. What, Mortimer, you will not threaten him?
EDWARD. Quiet yourself, you shall have the broad seal,
   To gather for him throughout the realm.
LANCASTER. Your minion Gaveston hath taught you this.
MORTIMER. My lord, the family of the Mortimers
   Are not so poor, but, would they sell their land
   'Twould levy men enough to anger you.
   We never beg, but use such prayers as these.
   Grasps sword
EDWARD. Shall I still be haunted thus?
MORTIMER. Nay, now you are here alone, I'll speak my mind.
LANCASTER. And so will I; and then, my lord, farewell.
MORTIMER. The idle triumphs, masks, lascivious shows,
   And prodigal gifts bestowed on Gaveston,
   Have drawn thy treasure dry, and made thee weak;
   The murmuring commons overstretched hath.
LANCASTER. Look for rebellion, look to be deposed.
   Thy garrisons are beaten out of France,
   And, lame and poor, lie groaning at the gates;
   The wild O'Neill, with swarms of Irish kerns,
   Lives uncontrolled within the English pale;
   Unto the walls of York the Scots make road,
   And, unresisted, draw away rich spoils.
MORTIMER. The haughty Dane commands the narrow seas,
   While in the harbour ride thy ships unrigged.
LANCASTER. What foreign prince sends thee ambassadors?
MORTIMER. Who loves thee, but a sort of flatterers?
LANCASTER. Thy gentle Queen, sole sister to Valois,
   Complains that thou hast left her all forlorn.
MORTIMER. Thy court is naked, being bereft of those
   That make a king seem glorious to the world,
   I mean the peers, whom thou shouldst dearly love;
   Libels are cast against thee in the street;
   Ballads and rhymes made of thy overthrow.
LANCASTER. The northern borderers, seeing the houses burnt,
   Their wives and children slain, run up and down,
   Cursing the name of thee and Gaveston.
MORTIMER. When wert thou in the field with banner spread?
   But once, and then thy soldiers marched like players,
   With garish robes, not armour; and thyself,
   Bedaubed with gold, rode laughing at the rest,
   Nodding and shaking of thy spangled crest,
   Where women's favours hung like labels down.
LANCASTER. And thereof came it that the fleering Scots,
   To England's high disgrace, have made this jig;
       Maids of England, sore may you mourn,
       For your lemans you have lost at Bannocksbourn,
           With a heave and a ho!
       What weeneth the King of England
       So soon to have won Scotland?
           With a rombelow!
MORTIMER. Wigmore shall fly to set my uncle free.
LANCASTER. And, when 'tis gone, our swords shall purchase more.
   If ye be moved, revenge it as you can:
   Look next to see us with our ensigns spread

   Exeunt all except Edward and Kent.

EDWARD. My swelling heart for very anger breaks.
   How oft have I been baited by these peers,
   And dare not be revenged, for their power is great;
   Yet, shall the crowing of these cockerels
   Affright a lion? Edward, unfold thy paws,
   And let their lives' blood slake thy fury's hunger.
   If I be cruel and grow tyrannous,
   Now let them thank themselves, and rue too late.
KENT. My lord, I see your love to Gaveston
   Will be the ruin of the realm and you,
   For now the wrathful nobles threaten wars;
   And therefore, brother, banish him forever.
EDWARD. Art thou an enemy to my Gaveston?
KENT. Ay, and it grieves me that I favoured him.
EDWARD. Traitor, be gone! Whine thou with Mortimer.
KENT. So will I, rather than with Gaveston.
EDWARD. Out of my sight, and trouble me no more!
KENT. No marvel though thou scorn thy noble peers,
   When I thy brother am rejected thus.

Exit.

EDWARD. Away! Poor Gaveston, thou hast no friend but me,
   Do what they can, we'll live in Tynemouth here;
   And, so I walk with him about the walls,
   What care I though the earls begirt us round?
   Here comes she that is cause of all these jars.

   Enter the Queen, Margaret de Clare, Baldock, Spencer, Gaveston and 2 Ladies-in-Waiting.

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

   Enter Lancaster, Mortimer, Warwick, Pembroke, Kent.

KENT. My lords, of love to this our native land,
   I come to join with you, and leave the King;
   And in your quarrel, and the realm's behoof,
   Will be the first that shall adventure life.
LANCASTER. I fear me, you are sent of policy,
   To undermine us with a show of love.
WARWICK. He is your brother; therefore have we cause
   To cast the worst, and doubt of your revolt.
KENT. Mine honour shall be hostage of my truth:
   If that will not suffice, farewell, my lords.
MORTIMER. Stay, Edmund: never was Plantagenet
   False of his word; and therefore trust we thee.
PEMBROKE. But what's the reason you should leave him now?
KENT. I have informed the Earl of Lancaster.
LANCASTER. And it sufficeth. Now, my lords, know this,
   That Gaveston is secretly arrived,
   And here in Tynemouth frolics with the King.
   Let us with these our followers scale the walls,
   And suddenly surprise them unawares.
MORTIMER. I'll give the onset.
WARWICK. And I'll follow thee.
MORTIMER. This tottered ensign of my ancestors,
   Which swept the desert shore of that dead sea
   Whereof we got the name of Mortimer,
   Will I advance upon these castle walls,
   Drums, strike alarum, raise them from their sport,
   And ring aloud the knell of Gaveston!
LANCASTER. None be so hardy as to touch the King;
   But neither spare you Gaveston nor his friends.

   Exeunt.

   Enter the King and Spencer, to them Gaveston, Isabella, Margaret de Clare.

EDWARD. O, tell me, Spencer, where is Gaveston?
SPENCER. I fear me he is slain, my gracious lord.
EDWARD. No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill.
   Fly, fly, my lords; the earls have got the hold;
   Take shipping, and away to Scarborough.
   Spencer and I will post away by land.
GAVESTON. O stay, my lord, they will not injure you.
EDWARD. I will not trust them, Gaveston, away!
GAVESTON. Farewell, my lord.
EDWARD. Lady, farewell.
LADY MARGARET. Farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again.
EDWARD. Farewell, sweet Gaveston; and farewell, niece.
ISABELLA. No farewell to poor Isabel thy Queen?
EDWARD. Yes, yes, for Mortimer your lover's sake.

   Exeunt all except Isabella.

ISABELLA. Heavens can witness, I love none but you.
   From my embracements thus he breaks away.
   O, that mine arms could close this isle about,
   That I might pull him to me where I would,
   Or that these tears, that drizzle from mine eyes,
   Had power to mollify his stony heart,
   That, when I had him, we might never part!

   Enter the Barons, alarums.

LANCASTER. I wonder how he scaped ?
MORTIMER. Who's this? The Queen?
ISABELLA. Ay, Mortimer, the miserable Queen,
   Whose pining heart her inward sighs have blasted,
   And body with continual mourning wasted.
   These hands are tired with haling of my lord
   From Gaveston, from wicked Gaveston;
   And all in vain; for when I speak him fair,
   He turns away, and smiles upon his minion.
MORTIMER. Cease to lament, and tell us where's the King?
ISABELLA. What would you with the King? Is't him you seek?
LANCASTER. No, madam, but that cursed Gaveston.
   Far be it from the thought of Lancaster
   To offer violence to his sovereign!
   We would but rid the realm of Gaveston.
   Tell us where he remains, and he shall die.
ISABELLA. He's gone by water unto Scarborough;
   Pursue him quickly, and he cannot 'scape:
   The King hath left him, and his train is small.
WARWICK. Forslow no time, sweet Lancaster; let's march.
MORTIMER. How comes it that the King and he is parted?
ISABELLA. That this your army, going several ways,
   Might be of lesser force, and with the power
   That he intendeth presently to raise,
   Be easily suppressed; and therefore be gone!
MORTIMER. Here in the river rides a Flemish hoy;
   Let's all aboard, and follow him amain.
LANCASTER. The wind that bears him hence will fill our sails;
   Come, come, aboard! 'tis but an hour's sailing.
ISABELLA. No Mortimer; I'll to my lord the King.
MORTIMER. Nay, rather sail with us to Scarborough.
ISABELLA. You know the King is so suspicious
   As, if he hear I have but talked with you,
   Mine honour will be called in question;
   And therefore, gentle Mortimer, be gone.
MORTIMER. Madam, I cannot stay to answer you;
   But think of Mortimer as he deserves.

ISABELLA. So well hast thou deserved, sweet Mortimer,
   As Isabel could live with thee forever.
   In vain I look for love at Edward's hand,
   Whose eyes are fixed on none but Gaveston;
   Yet once more I'll importune him with prayers.
   If he be strange, and not regard my words,
   My son and I will over into France,
   And to the King my brother there complain
   How Gaveston hath robbed me of his love;
   But yet, I hope, my sorrows will have end,
   And Gaveston this blessed day be slain.

Exeunt.

   Enter Gaveston, pursued.

GAVESTON. Yet, lusty lords, I have escaped your hands,
   Your threats, your 'larums, and your hot pursuits;
   And, though divorced from King Edward's eyes,
   Yet liveth Piers of Gaveston unsurprised,
   Breathing in hope - malgrado all your beards,
   That muster rebels thus against your king -
   To see his royal sovereign once again.

   Enter the nobles.

WARWICK. Upon him, soldiers, take away his weapons!
MORTIMER. Thou proud disturber of thy country's peace,
   Corrupter of thy King, cause of these broils,
   Base flatterer, yield, and, were it not for shame,
   Shame and dishonour to a soldier's name,
   Upon my weapon's point here shouldst thou fall,
   And welter in thy gore.
LANCASTER. Monster of men,
   That, like the Greekish strumpet, trained to arms
   And bloody wars so many valiant knights,
   Look for no other fortune, wretch, than death!
   King Edward is not here to buckler thee.
WARWICK. Lancaster, why talk'st thou to the slave?
   Go, soldiers, take him hence; for, by my sword,
   His head shall off. Gaveston, short warning
   Shall serve thy turn: it is our country's cause
   That here severely we will execute
   Upon thy person. Hang him at a bough.
GAVESTON. My lord -
WARWICK. Soldiers, have him away.
   But, for thou wert the favourite of a king,
   Thou shalt have so much honour at our hands.
GAVESTON. I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive
   That heading is one, and hanging is the other,
   And death is all.

   Enter Earl of Arundel.

LANCASTER. How now, my lord of Arundel!
ARUNDEL. My lords, King Edward greets you all by me.
WARWICK. Arundel, say your message.
ARUNDEL. His majesty,
   Hearing that you had taken Gaveston,
   Entreateth you by me, yet but he may
   See him before he dies, for why, he says,
   And sends you word, he knows that die he shall;
   And, if you gratify his grace so far,
   He will be mindful of the courtesy.
WARWICK. How now!
GAVESTON. Renowned Edward, how thy name
   Revives poor Gaveston!
WARWICK. No, it needeth not.
   Arundel, we will gratify the King
   In other matters; he must pardon us in this.
   Soldiers, away with him!
GAVESTON. Why, my lord of Warwick,
   Will not these delays beget my hopes?
   I know it, lords, it is this life you aim at,
   Yet grant King Edward this.
MORTIMER. Shalt thou appoint
   What we shall grant? Soldiers, away with him!
   Thus we'll gratify the King;
   We'll send his head by thee; let him bestow
   His tears on that, for that is all he gets
   Of Gaveston, or else his senseless trunk.
LANCASTER. Not so, my lord, lest he bestow more cost
   In burying him than he hath ever earned.
ARUNDEL. My lords, it is his majesty's request,
   And in the honour of a king he swears,
   He will but talk with him, and send him back.
WARWICK. When, can you tell? Arundel, no; we wot,
   He that the care of realm remits,
   And drives his nobles to these exigents
   For Gaveston, will, if he seize him once,
   Violate any promise to possess him.
ARUNDEL. Then, if you will not trust his grace in keep,
   My Lords, I will be pledge for his return.
MORTIMER. It is honourable in thee to offer this;
   But, for we know thou art a noble gentleman,
   We will not wrong thee so,
   To make away a true man for a thief.
GAVESTON. How mean'st thou, Mortimer? That is overbase.
MORTIMER. Away, base groom, robber of king's renown!
   Question with thy companions and mates.
PEMBROKE. My lord Mortimer, and you, my lords, each one,
   To gratify the King's request therein,
   Touching the sending of this Gaveston,
   Because his majesty so earnestly
   Desires to see the man before his death,
   I will upon mine honour undertake
   To carry him, and bring him back again;
   Provided this, that you, my lord of Arundel,
   Will join with me.
WARWICK. Pembroke, what wilt thou do?
   Cause yet more bloodshed? Is it not enough
   That we have taken him, but must we now
   Leave him on "had I wist," and let him go?
PEMBROKE. My lords, I will not overwoo your honours,
   But, if you dare trust Pembroke with the prisoner,
   Upon mine oath, I will return him back.
ARUNDEL. My lord of Lancaster, what say you in this?
LANCASTER. Why, I say, let him go on Pembroke's word.
PEMBROKE. And you, lord Mortimer?
MORTIMER. How say you, my lord of Warwick?
WARWICK. Nay, do your pleasures: I know how 'twill prove.
PEMBROKE. Then give him me.
GAVESTON. Sweet sovereign, yet I come
   To see thee ere I die!
WARWICK. Yet not perhaps,
   If Warwick's wit and policy prevail.
MORTIMER. My lord of Pembroke, we deliver him you:
   Return him on our honour, sound, away!

Exeunt all except Pembroke, Arundel, Gaveston, and Pembroke's men (James & 3 other soldiers).

PEMBROKE. My lord, you shall go with me:
   My house is not far hence, out of the way
   A little, but our men shall go along.
   We that have pretty wenches to our wives,
   Sir, must not come so near and balk their lips.
ARUNDEL. 'Tis very kindly spoke, my lord of Pembroke;
   Your honour hath an adamant of power
   To draw a prince.
PEMBROKE. So, my lord. Come hither, James.
   I do commit this Gaveston to thee.
   Be thou this night his keeper; in the morning
   We will discharge thee of thy charge. Be gone.
GAVESTON. Unhappy Gaveston, whither goest thou now?

   Exit with Pembroke's men.

HORSE-BOY. My lord, we'll quickly be at Cobham.

   Exeunt ambo.

   Enter Gaveston mourning, James, and the rest of Pembroke's men.

GAVESTON. O treacherous Warwick, thus to wrong thy friend!
JAMES. I see it is your life these arms pursue.
GAVESTON. Weaponless must I fall, and die in bands?
   O, must this day be period of my life,
   Center of all my bliss! And ye be men,
   Speed to the King.

   Enter Warwick and his company.

WARWICK. My lord of Pembroke's men,
   Strive you no longer. I will have that Gaveston.
JAMES. Your lordship doth dishonour to yourself,
   And wrong our lord, your honourable friend.
WARWICK. No, James, it is my country's cause I follow.
   Go, take the villain: soldiers, come away;
   We'll make quick work. Commend me to your master,
   My friend, and tell him that I watched it well.
   Come, let thy shadow parley with King Edward.
GAVESTON. Treacherous Earl, shall I not see the King?
WARWICK. The King of Heaven perhaps, no other King.
    Away!

    Exeunt Warwick and his men, with Gaveston. Pembroke's men remain.

JAMES. Come, fellows, it booted not for us to strive;
   We will in haste go certify our lord.

    Exeunt.

   Enter King Edward, Spencer, Baldock, with drums and fifes.

EDWARD. I long to hear an answer from the barons
   Touching my friend, my dearest Gaveston.
   Ah, Spencer, not the riches of my realm
   Can ransom him, ah, he is marked to die.
   I know the malice of the younger Mortimer.
   Warwick I know is rough, and Lancaster
   Inexorable, and I shall never see
   My lovely Piers, my Gaveston again.
   The barons overbear me with their pride.
SPENCER. Were I King Edward, England's sovereign,
   Son to the lovely Eleanor of Spain,
   Great Edward Longshanks' issue, would I bear
   These braves, this rage, and suffer uncontrolled
   These barons thus to beard me in my land,
   In mine own realm? My lord, pardon my speech.
   Did you retain your father's magnanimity,
   Did you regard the honour of your name,
   You would not suffer thus your majesty
   Be counterbuffed of your nobility.
   Strike off their heads, and let them preach on poles.
   No doubt, such lessons they will teach the rest,
   As by their preachments they will profit much
   And learn obedience to their lawful king.
EDWARD. Yea, gentle Spencer, we have been too mild,
   Too kind to them; but now have drawn our sword,
   And, if they send me not my Gaveston,
   We'll steel it on their crest and poll their tops.
BALDOCK. This haught resolve becomes your majesty,
   Not to be tied to their affection,
   As though your highness were a schoolboy still,
   And must be awed and governed like a child.

   Enter Hugh Spencer, an old man, father to the young Spencer, with his truncheon, and soldiers.

SPENCER THE FATHER. Long live my sovereign, the noble Edward,
   In peace triumphant, fortunate in wars!
EDWARD. Welcome, old man: com'st thou in Edward's aid?
   Then tell thy prince of whence and what thou art.
SPENCER THE FATHER. Lo, with a band of bowmen and of pikes,
   Brown bills and targeteers, 400 strong,
   Sworn to defend King Edward's royal right,
   I come in person to your majesty,
   Spencer, the father of Hugh Spencer there,
   Bound to you highness everlastingly
   For favours done, in him, unto us all.
EDWARD. Thy father, Spencer?
SPENCER. True, and it like your grace,
   That pours, in lieu of all your goodness shown,
   His life, my lord, before your princely feet.
EDWARD. Welcome ten thousand times, old man, again!
   Spencer, this love, this kindness to thy king,
   Argues thy noble mind and disposition.
   Spencer, I here create thee Earl of Wiltshire,
   And daily will enrich thee with our favour
   That as the sunshine, shall reflect o'er thee.
   Besides, the more to manifest our love,
   Because we hear Lord Bruce doth sell his land
   And that the Mortimers are in hand withal,
   Thou shalt have crowns of us t' outbid the barons;
   And, Spencer, spare them not, but lay it on.
   Soldiers, a largess, and thrice welcome all!
SPENCER. My lord, here comes the Queen.

   Enter the Queen, her son Prince Edward, and Levune, a Frenchman.

EDWARD. Madam, what news?
ISABELLA. News of dishonour, lord, and discontent.
   Our friend Levune, faithful and full of trust,
   Informeth us, by letters and by words
   That lord Valois our brother, King of France,
   Because your highness hath been slack in homage,
   Hath seized Normandy into his hands.
   These be the letters, this the messenger.
EDWARD. Welcome, Levune. Tush, Sib, if this be all,
   Valois and I will soon be friends again.
   But to my Gaveston: shall I never see,
   Never behold thee now? Madam, in this matter
   We will employ you and your little son:
   You shall go parley with the King of France.
   Boy, see you bear you bravely to the King,
   And do your message with a majesty.
PRINCE EDWARD. Commit not to my youth things of more weight
   Than fits a prince so young as I to bear;
   And fear not, lord and father, heaven's great beams
   On Atlas' shoulder shall not lie more safe
   Than shall your charge committed to my trust.
ISABELLA. Ah, boy, this towardness makes thy mother fear
   Thou are not marked to many days on earth!
EDWARD. Madam, we will that you with speed be shipped,
   And this our son; Levune shall follow you
   With all the haste we can dispatch him hence.
   Choose of our lords to bear you company,
   And go in peace; leave us in wars at home.
ISABELLA. Unnatural wars, where subjects brave their king:
   God end them once! My lord, I take my leave
   To make my preparation for France.

   Exit Queen and Prince Edward.
   Enter Arundel.

EDWARD. What, lord Arundel, dost thou come alone?
ARUNDEL. Yea, my good lord, for Gaveston is dead.
EDWARD. Ah, traitors. Have they put my friend to death?
   Tell me, Arundel, died he ere thou cam'st,
   Or didst thou see my friend to take his death?
ARUNDEL. Neither, my lord; for, as he was surprised,
   Begirt with weapons and with enemies round,
   I did your highness' message to them all,
   Demanding him of them, entreating rather,
   And said, upon the honour of my name,
   That I would undertake to carry him
   Unto your highness, and to bring him back.
EDWARD. And tell me, would the rebels deny me that?
SPENCER. Proud recreants!
EDWARD. Yea, Spencer, traitors all!
ARUNDEL. I found them at the first inexorable.
   The Earl of Warwick would not bide the hearing,
   Mortimer hardly; Pembroke and Lancaster
   Spake least. And when they flatly had denied,
   Refusing to receive me pledge for him,
   The Earl of Pembroke mildly thus bespake:
   "My lords, because our sovereign sends for him
   And promiseth he shall be safe returned,
   I will this undertake, to have him hence
   And see him redelivered to your hands."
EDWARD. Well, and how fortunes it that he came not?
SPENCER. Some treason or some villainy was cause.
ARUNDEL. The Earl of Warwick seized him on his way;
   For being delivered unto Pembroke's men,
   Their lord rode home thinking his prisoner safe;
   But ere he came, Warwick in ambush lay,
   And bare him to his death, and in a trench
   Strake off his head, and marched unto the camp.
SPENCER. A bloody part, flatly against law of arms.
EDWARD. O shall I speak, or shall I sigh and die!
SPENCER. My lord, refer your vengeance to the sword
   Upon these barons; hearten up your men;
   Let them not unrevenged murder your friends.
   Advance your standard, Edward, in the field,
   And march to fire them from their starting holes.
EDWARD. (Kneeling) By earth, the common mother of us all,
   By heaven, and all the moving orbs thereof,
   By this right hand, and by my father's sword,
   And all the honours 'longing to my crown,
   I will have heads and lives for him as many
   As I have manors, castles, towns, and towers!
   Treacherous Warwick! Traitorous Mortimer!
   If I be England's king, in lakes of gore
   Your headless trunks, your bodies will I trail,
   That you may drink your fill, and quaff in blood,
   And stain my royal standard with the same,
   That so my bloody colours may suggest
   Remembrance of revenge immortally
   On your accursed traitorous progeny,
   You villains that have slain my Gaveston!
   And in this place of honour and of trust,
   Spencer, sweet Spencer, I adopt thee here;
   And merely of our love we do create thee
   Earl of Gloucester and Lord Chamberlain,
   Despite of times, despite of enemies.
SPENCER. My lord, here's a messenger from the barons
   Desires access unto your majesty.
EDWARD. Admit him near.

   Enter the herald from the barons, with his coat of arms.

HERALD. Long live King Edward, England's lawful lord!
EDWARD. So wish not they, I wis, that sent thee hither.
   Thou com'st from Mortimer and his 'complices;
   A ranker rout of rebels never was.
   Well, say thy message.
HERALD. The barons up in arms by me salute
   Your highness with long life and happiness,
   And bid me say, as plainer to your grace,
   That if without effusion of blood
   You will this grief have ease and remedy,
   That from your princely person you remove
   This Spencer, as a putrifying branch
   That deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves
   Empale your princely head, your diadem
   Whose brightness such pernicious upstarts dim,
   Say they, and lovingly advise your grace
   To cherish virtue and nobility,
   And have old servitors in high esteem,
   And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers.
   This granted, they, their honours, and their lives,
   Are to your highness vow'd and consecrate.
SPENCER. Ah, traitors, will they still display their pride?
EDWARD. Away! Tarry no answer, but be gone!
   Rebels, will they appoint their sovereign
   His sports, his pleasures, and his company?
   Yet, ere thou go, see how I do divorce
   Spencer from me. Embraces Spencer. Now get thee to thy lords,
   And tell them I will come to chastise them
   For murdering Gaveston. Hie thee, get thee gone!
   Edward with fire and sword follows at thy heels.

   Exit Herald.

   My lord, perceive you how these rebels swell?
   Soldiers, good hearts, defend your sovereign's right,
   For now, even now, we march to make them stoop.
   Away!

   Exeunt.

   Alarums, excursions, a great fight, and a retreat.
   Enter the King, Spencer the father, Spencer the son,
   and the noblemen of the King's side.

EDWARD. Why do we sound retreat? Upon them, lords!
   This day I shall pour vengeance with my sword
   On those proud rebels that are up in arms,
   And do confront and countermand their king.
SPENCER. I doubt it not, my lord; right will prevail.
SPENCER THE FATHER. 'Tis not amiss, my liege, for either part
   To breathe a while. Our men, with sweat and dust
   All choked well near, begin to faint for heat;
   And this retire refresheth horse and man.
SPENCER. Here come the rebels.

   Enter the barons, Mortimer, Lancaster, Warwick, Pembroke, etc.

MORTIMER. Look, Lancaster, yonder is Edward
   Among his flatterers.
LANCASTER. And there let him be,
   Till he pay dearly for their company.
WARWICK. And shall, or Warwick's sword shall smite in vain.
EDWARD. What, rebels, do you shrink and sound retreat?
MORTIMER. No, Edward, no; thy flatterers faint and fly.
LANCASTER. Thou'd best betimes forsake them and their trains,
   For they'll betray thee, traitors as they are.
SPENCER. Traitor on thy face, rebellious Lancaster.
PEMBROKE. Away, base upstart! Brav'st thou nobles thus?
SPENCER THE FATHER. A noble attempt and honourable deed,
   Is it not, trow ye, to assemble aid
   And levy arms against your lawful king?
EDWARD. For which, ere long, their heads shall satisfy
   T' appease the wrath of their offended king.
MORTIMER. Then, Edward, thou wilt fight it to the last
   And rather bathe thy sword in subjects' blood
   Than banish that pernicious company.
EDWARD. Ay, traitors all, rather than thus be braved,
   Make England's civil towns huge heaps of stones
   And plows to go about our palace gates.
WARWICK. A desperate and unnatural resolution.
   Alarum to the fight!
   Saint George for England, and the barons' right!
EDWARD. Saint George for England, and King Edward's right!

   Exeunt both parties different ways
   Alarums.
   Re-enter Edward with the Barons captives.

EDWARD. Now, lusty lords, now not by chance of war,
   But justice of the quarrel and the cause,
   Vailed is your pride. Methinks you hang the heads,
   But we'll advance them, traitors. Now 'tis time
   To be avenged on you for all your braves,
   And for the murder of my dearest friend,
   To whom right well you knew our soul was knit,
   Good Piers of Gaveston, my sweet favourite.
   Ah, rebels, recreants, you made him away!
KENT. Brother, in regard of thee and of thy land,
   Did they remove that flatterer from thy throne.
EDWARD. So, sir, you have spoke. Away, avoid our presence!

   Exit Kent.

   Accursed wretches, was't in regard of us,
   When he had sent our messenger to request
   He might be spared to come to speak with us,
   And Pembroke undertook for his return,
   That thou, proud Warwick, watched the prisoner,
   Poor Piers, and headed him against law of arms?
   For which thy head shall overlook the rest
   As much as thou in rage outwent'st the rest.
WARWICK. Tyrant, I scorn thy threats and menaces;
   'Tis but temporal that thou canst inflict.
LANCASTER. The worst is death; and better die to live
   Than live in infamy under such a king.
EDWARD. Away with them, my lord of Winchester!
   These lusty leaders, Warwick and Lancaster,
   I charge you roundly, off with both their heads!
   Away!
WARWICK. Farewell, vain world!
LANCASTER. Sweet Mortimer, farewell!

   Exeunt Warwick, Lancaster and Spencer the Father.

MORTIMER. England, unkind to thy nobility,
   Groan for this grief, behold how thou art maimed!
EDWARD. Go, take that haughty Mortimer to the Tower;
   There see him safe bestowed; and for the rest,
   Do speedy execution on them all.
   Be gone!
MORTIMER. What, Mortimer? Can ragged stony walls
   Immure thy virtue that aspires to heaven?
   No, Edward, England's scourge, it may not be;
   Mortimer's hope surmounts his fortune far.

   Exit Mortimer, guarded.

EDWARD. Sound drums and trumpets, march with me, my friends.
   Edward this day hath crowned him King anew.

   Exit, leaving Spencer, Levune and Baldock.

SPENCER. Levune, the trust that we repose in thee
   Begets the quiet of King Edward's land.
   Therefore be gone in haste, and with advice
   Bestow that treasure on the lords of France,
   That, therewith all enchanted, like the guard
   That suffered Jove to pass in showers of gold
   To Danae, all aid may be denied
   To Isabel the Queen, that now in France
   Makes friends, to cross the seas with her young son,
   And step into his father's regiment.
LEVUNE. That's it these barons and the subtle Queen
   Long leveled at.
BALDOCK. Yea, but, Levune, thou seest
   These barons lay their heads on blocks together;
   What they intend, the hangman frustrates clean.
LEVUNE. Have you no doubts, my lords, I'll clap so close
   Among the lords of France with England's gold,
   That Isabel shall make her plaints in vain,
   And France shall be obdurate with her tears.
SPENCER. Then make for France amain; Levune, away!
   Proclaim King Edward's wars and victories.

   Exeunt.

KENT. Fair blows the wind for France: blow, gentle gale,
   Till Edmund be arrived for England's good,
   Nature, yield to my country's cause in this!
   A brother, no, a butcher of thy friends,
   Proud Edward, dost thou banish me thy presence?
   But I'll to France, and cheer the wronged Queen,
   And certify what Edward's looseness is.
   Unnatural king, to slaughter noblemen
   And cherish flatterers. Mortimer, I stay
   Thy sweet escape. Stand gracious gloomy night
   To his device.

   Enter Mortimer disguised.

MORTIMER. Holla, who walketh there?
   Is't you my lord?
KENT. Ay, Mortimer, 'tis I.
   But hath thy potion wrought so happily?
MORTIMER. It hath, my lord. The warders all asleep,
   I thank them, gave me leave to pass in peace.
   But hath your grace got shipping unto France?
KENT. Fear it not.

   Exeunt.

   Enter the Queen and Prince Edward.

ISABELLA. Ah, boy, our friends do fail us all in France.
   The lords are cruel, and the King unkind.
   What shall we do?
PRINCE EDWARD. Madam, return to England
   And please my father well; and then a fig
   For all my uncle's friendship here in France.
   I warrant you, I'll win his highness quickly;
   'A loves me better than a thousand Spencers.
ISABELLA. Ah, boy, thou art deceived, at least in this,
   To think that we can yet be tuned together.
   No, no, we jar too far. Unkind Valois,
   Unhappy Isabel, when France rejects,
   Whither, O, whither dost thou bend thy steps?

   Enter Sir John of Hainault.

SIR JOHN. Madam, what cheer?
ISABELLA. Ah, good Sir John of Hainault,
   Never so cheerless nor so far distressed!
SIR JOHN. I hear, sweet lady, of the King's unkindness;
   But droop not, madam; noble minds contemn
   Despair. Will your grace with me to Hainault,
   And there stay time's advantage with your son?
   How say you, my lord, will you go with your friends,
   And shake off all our sorrows equally?
PRINCE EDWARD. So pleaseth the Queen my mother, me it likes.
   The King of England, nor the court of France,
   Shall have me from my gracious mother's side,
   Till I be strong enough to break a staff;
   And then have at the proudest Spencer's head.
SIR JOHN. Well said, my lord.
ISABELLA. Oh, my sweet heart, how do I moan thy wrongs,
   Yet triumph in the hope of thee, my joy.
   Ah, sweet Sir John, even to the utmost verge
   Of Europe, on the shore of Tanais,
   Will we with thee to Hainault, so we will.
   The marquis is a noble gentleman;
   His grace, I dare presume, will welcome me.
   But who are these?

   Enter Edmund, Earl of Kent, and Mortimer.

KENT. Madam, long may you live,
   Much happier than your friends in England do.
ISABELLA. Lord Edmund and lord Mortimer alive?
   Welcome to France. The news was here, my lord,
   That you were dead, or very near your death.
MORTIMER. Lady, the last was truest of the twain,
   But Mortimer, reserved for better hap,
   Hath shaken off the thralldom of the Tower
   And lives t' advance your standard, good my lord.
PRINCE EDWARD. How mean you, and the King my father lives?
   No, my lord Mortimer, not I, I trow.
ISABELLA. Not, son! Why not? I would it were no worse,
   But, gentle lords, friendless we are in France.
MORTIMER. Monsieur le Grand, a noble friend of yours,
   Told us, at our arrival, all the news,
   How hard the nobles, how unkind the King
   Hath showed himself: but madam, right makes room
   Where weapons want; and, though a many friends
   Are made away, as Warwick, Lancaster,
   And others of our part and faction,
   Yet have we friends, assure your grace, in England
   Would cast up caps and clap their hands for joy,
   To see us there appointed for our foes.
KENT. Would all were well, and Edward well reclaimed,
   For England's honour, peace and quietness.
MORTIMER. But by the sword, my lord, it must be deserved;
   The king will ne'er forsake his flatterers.
SIR JOHN. My lords of England, sith the ungentle King
   Of France refuseth to give aid of arms
   To this distressed Queen, his sister, here,
   Go you with her to Hainault. Doubt ye not
   We will find comfort, money, men, and friends
   Ere long, to bid the English King a base.
   How say, young prince, what think you of the match?
PRINCE EDWARD. I think King Edward will outrun us all.
ISABELLA. Nay, son, not so; and you must not discourage
   Your friends that are so forward in your aid.
KENT. Sir John of Hainault, pardon us, I pray:
   These comforts that you give our woeful Queen
   Bind us in kindness all at your command.
ISABELLA. Yea, gentle brother: and the God of heaven
   Prosper your happy motion, good Sir John.
MORTIMER. This noble gentleman, forward in arms,
   Was born, I see, to be our anchor hold.
   Sir John of Hainault, be it thy renown,
   That England's Queen and nobles in distress
   Have been by thee restored and comforted.
SIR JOHN. Madam, along; and you, my lords, with me,
   That England's peers may Hainault's welcome see.

   Exeunt.

   Enter the King, Arundel, the two Spencers, with others.

EDWARD. Thus, after many threats of wrathful war,
   Triumpheth England's Edward with his friends,
   And triumph Edward with his friends uncontrolled.
   My lord of Gloucester, do you hear the news?
SPENCER. What news, my lord?
EDWARD. Why, man, they say there is great execution
   Done through the realm. My lord of Arundel,
   You have the note, have you not?
ARUNDEL. From the lieutenant of the Tower, my lord.
EDWARD. I pray, let us see it, what have we there?
   Read it, Spencer. Spencer reads their names.
   Why, so: they barked apace a month ago;
   Now, on my life, they'll neither bark nor bite.
   Now, sirs, the news from France. Gloucester, I trow,
   The lords of France love England's gold so well
   As Isabella gets no aid from thence.
   What now remains? Have you proclaimed, my lord,
SPENCER. My lord, we have; and, if he be in England,
   'A will be had ere long, I doubt it not.
EDWARD. If, dost thou say? Spencer, as true as death,
   He is in England's ground; our port masters
   Are not so careless of their king's command.

   Enter a Post.

   How now! What news with thee? From whence come these?
POST. Letters, my lord, and tidings forth of France;
   To you, my lord of Gloucester, from Levune.
EDWARD. Read.
   Spencer reads the letter.
SPENCER. "My duty to your honour premised, etc.
   I have, according to instructions in that behalf,
   dealt with the King of France his lords, and effected
   that the Queen, all discontented and discomforted, is
   gone; whither, if you ask, with Sir John of Hainault,
   brother to the marquis, into Flanders. With them are
   gone lord Edmund and the lord Mortimer, having in
   their company divers of your nation, and others; and,
   as constant report goeth, they intend to give King
   Edward battle in England sooner than he can look for
   them. This is all the news of import.
   Your honour's in all service, Levune".
EDWARD. Ah, villains, hath that Mortimer escaped?
   With him is Edmund gone associate?
   And will Sir John of Hainault lead the round?
   Welcome, a God's name, madam, and your son,
   England shall welcome you and all your rout.
   Gallop apace, bright Phoebus, through the sky,
   And, dusky night, in rusty iron car,
   Between you both shorten the time, I pray,
   That I may see that most desired day
   When we may meet these traitors in the field.
   Ah, nothing grieves me but my little boy
   Is thus misled to countenance their ills.
   Come, friends, to Bristol, there to make us strong;
   And, winds, as equal be to bring them in,
   As you injurious were to bear them forth. .

   Exeunt.

   Enter the Queen, Prince Edward, Kent, Mortimer, and Sir John.

ISABELLA. Now lords, our loving friends and countrymen,
   Welcome to England all, with prosperous winds.
   Our kindest friends in Belgia have we left,
   To cope with friends at home; a heavy case
   When force to force is knit, and sword and glaive
   In civil broils make kin and countrymen
   Slaughter themselves in others, and their sides
   With their own weapons gored! But what's the help?
   Misgoverned kings are cause of all this wrack;
   And, Edward, thou art one among them all
   Whose looseness hath betrayed thy land to spoil
   And made the channels overflow with blood.
   Of thine own people patron shouldst thou be,
   But thou...
MORTIMER. Nay, madam, if you be a warrior,
   You must not grow so passionate in speeches.
   Lords, sith that we are, by sufferance of heaven,
   Arrived and armed in this prince's right,
   Here for our country's cause swear we to him
   All homage, fealty, and forwardness;
   And for the open wrongs and injuries
   Edward hath done to us, his Queen, and land,
   We come in arms to wreck it with the sword,
   That England's Queen in peace may repossess
   Her dignities and honours; and withal
   We may remove these flatterers from the King
   That havoc England's wealth and treasury.
SIR JOHN. Sound trumpets, my lord, and forward let us march.
   Edward will think we come to flatter him.
KENT. I would he never had been flattered more. .

   Exeunt.

   Enter the King, Baldock, and Spencer the son, flying about the stage.

SPENCER. Fly, fly, my lord, the Queen is overstrong;
   Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail.
   Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe.
EDWARD. What, was I born to fly and run away,
   And leave the Mortimers conquerors behind?
   Give me my horse, and let's r'enforce our troops,
   And in this bed of honour die with fame.
BALDOCK. O no, my lord, this princely resolution
   Fits not the time; away, we are pursued.

   Exeunt.    Enter Kent alone with a sword and target.

KENT. This way he fled, but I am come too late.
   Edward, alas, my heart relents for thee.
   Proud traitor, Mortimer, why dost thou chase
   Thy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword?
   Vild wretch, and why hast thou, of all unkind,
   Borne arms against thy brother and thy king?
   Rain showers of vengeance on my cursed head
   Thou God, to whom in justice it belongs
   To punish this unnatural revolt.
   Edward, this Mortimer aims at thy life.
   O, fly him, then! But, Edmund, calm this rage;
   Dissemble, or thou diest; for Mortimer
   And Isabel do kiss while they conspire;
   And yet she bears a face of love forsooth.
   Fie on that love that hatcheth death and hate.
   Edmund, away! Bristol to Longshanks' blood
   Is false; be not found single for suspect.
   Proud Mortimer pries near into thy walks.

   Enter the Queen, Mortimer, Prince Edward, and Sir John of Hainault.

ISABELLA. Successful battles gives the God of kings
   To them that fight in right and fear his wrath.
   Since then successfully we have prevailed,
   Thanks be heaven's great architect, and you.
   Ere farther we proceed, my noble lords,
   We here create our well-beloved son,
   Of love and care unto his royal person,
   Lord Warden of the realm, and sith the fates
   Have made his father so unfortunate,
   Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords,
   As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all.
KENT. Madam, without offense if I may ask
   How will you deal with Edward in his fall?
PRINCE EDWARD. Tell me, good uncle, what Edward do you mean?
KENT. Nephew, your father; I dare not call him King.
MORTIMER. My lord of Kent, what needs these questions?
   'Tis not in her controlment nor in ours,
   But as the realm and parliament shall please,
   So shall your brother be disposed of.
   Aside, to the Queen I like not this relenting mood in Edmund.
   Madam, 'tis good to look to him betimes.
ISABELLA. My lord, the mayor of Bristol knows our mind.
MORTIMER. Yea, madam; and they scape not easily
   That fled the field.
ISABELLA. Baldock is with the King.
   A goodly chancellor, is he not, my lord?
SIR JOHN. So are the Spencers, the father and the son.
KENT. This Edward is the ruin of the realm.

   Enter Rice ap Howell and the mayor of Bristol, with Spencer the father.

RICE AP HOWELL. God save Queen Isabel and her princely son!
   Madam, the mayor and citizens of Bristol,
   In sign of love and duty to this presence,
   Present by me this traitor to the state,
   Spencer, the father to that wanton Spencer,
   That, like the lawless catiline of Rome,
   Revell'd in England's wealth and treasury.
ISABELLA. We thank you all.
MORTIMER. Your loving care in this
   Deserveth princely favours and rewards.
   But where's the King and the other Spencer fled?
RICE AP HOWELL. Spencer the son, created Earl of Gloucester,
   Is with that smooth tongued scholar Baldock gone
   And shipped but late for Ireland with the King.
MORTIMER. Some whirlwind fetch them back, or sink them all.
   They shall be started thence, I doubt it not.
PRINCE EDWARD. Shall I not see the King my father yet?
KENT. Unhappy's Edward, chased from England's bounds.
SIR JOHN. Madam, what resteth? Why stand ye in a muse?
ISABELLA. I rue my lord's ill fortune; but, alas,
   Care of my country called me to this war!
MORTIMER. Madam, have done with care and sad complaint.
   Your king hath wronged your country and himself,
   And we must seek to right it as we may.
   Meanwhile, have hence this rebel to the block.
   Your lordship cannot privilege your head.
SPENCER THE FATHER. Rebel is he that fights against his prince:
   So fought not they that fought in Edward's right.
MORTIMER. Take him away; he prates.

   Exit Spencer the Father, guarded.

   You, Rice ap Howell,
   Shall do good service to her majesty,
   Being of countenance in your country here,
   To follow these rebellious runagates.
   We in meanwhile, madam, must take advice,
   How Baldock, Spencer, and their 'complices,
   May in their fall be followed to their end.

   Exeunt.

   Enter the Abbot, Monks, Edward, Spencer and Baldock.

ABBOTT. Have you no doubt, my lord; have you no fear.
   As silent and as careful will we be
   To keep your royal person safe with us,
   Free from suspect, and fell invasion
   Of such as have your majesty in chase,
   Yourself, and those your chosen company,
   As danger of this stormy time requires.
EDWARD. Father, thy face should harbour no deceit.
   O, hadst thou ever been a king, thy heart,
   Pierced deeply with sense of my distress,
   Could not but take compassion of my state.
   Stately and proud in riches and in train,
   Whilom I was powerful and full of pomp.
   But what is he whom rule and empery
   Have not in life or death made miserable?
   Come, Spencer, Baldock, come, sit down by me;
   Make trial now of that philosophy
   That in our famous nurseries of arts
   Thou sucked'st from Plato and from Aristotle.
   Father, this life contemplative is heaven.
   O that I might this life in quiet lead,
   But we, alas, are chased, and you, my friends,
   Your lives and my dishonour they pursue.
   Yet, gentle monks, for treasure, gold, nor fee,
   Do you betray us and our company.
MONK. Your grace may sit secure, if none but we
   Do wot of your abode.
SPENCER. Not one alive: but shrewdly I suspect
   A gloomy fellow in a mead below.
   'A gave a long look after us, my lord;
   And all the land, I know, is up in arms,
   Arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate.
BALDOCK. We were embarked for Ireland; wretched we,
   With awkward winds and sore tempests driven
   To fall on shore, and here to pine in fear
   Of Mortimer and his confederates.
EDWARD. Mortimer! Who talks of Mortimer?
   Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer,
   That bloody man? Good father, on thy lap
   Lay I this head, laden with mickle care.
   O might I never open these eyes again,
   Never again lift up this drooping head,
   O, nevermore lift up this dying heart!
SPENCER. Look up, my lord. Baldock, this drowsiness
   Betides no good; here even we are betrayed.

   Enter, with welsh hooks, Rice ap Howell, a Mower, and the Earl of Leicester.

MOWER. Upon my life, those be the men ye seek.
RICE AP HOWELL. Fellow, enough. My lord, I pray, be short;
   A fair commission warrants what we do.
LEICESTER. The Queen's commission, urged by Mortimer:
   What cannot gallant Mortimer with the Queen?
   Alas, see where he sits, and hopes unseen
   T' escape their hands that seek to reave his life.
   Too true it is, quem dies vidit veniens superbum,
   Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem.
(Seneca: 'He whom the dawning day has seen exalted in his pride, the departing day has seen downfallen')
   But, Leicester, leave to grow so passionate.
   Spencer and Baldock, by no other names,
   I arrest you of high treason here.
   Stand not on titles, but obey th' arrest:
   'Tis in the name of Isabel the Queen.
   My lord, why droop you thus?
EDWARD. O day, the last of all my bliss on earth,
   Center of all misfortune! O my stars,
   Why do you lour unkindly on a king?
   Comes Leicester, then, in Isabella's name
   To take my life, my company from me?
   Here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine,
   And take my heart in rescue of my friends.
RICE AP HOWELL. Away with them!
SPENCER. It may become thee yet
   To let us take our farewell of his grace.
ABBOTT. My heart with pity earns to see this sight,
   A king to bear these words and proud commands.
EDWARD. Spencer, ah, sweet Spencer, thus, then must we part.
SPENCER. We must, my lord; so will the angry heavens.
EDWARD. Nay, so will hell and cruel Mortimer;
   The gentle heavens have not to do in this.
BALDOCK. My lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm.
   Here humbly of your grace we take our leaves.
   Our lots are cast; I fear me, so is thine.
EDWARD. In heaven we may, in earth never shall we meet.
   And, Leicester, say, what shall become of us?
LEICESTER. Your majesty must go to Killingworth.
EDWARD. Must! 'Tis somewhat hard when Kings must go.
LEICESTER. Here is a litter ready for your grace,
   That waits your pleasure, and the day grows old.
RICE AP HOWELL. As good be gone, as stay and be benighted.
EDWARD. A litter hast thou? Lay me in a hearse,
   And to the gates of hell convey me hence.
   Let Pluto's bells ring out my fatal knell,
   And hags howl for my death at Charon's shore;
   For friends hath Edward none but these, and these,
   And these must die under a tyrant's sword.
RICE AP HOWELL. My lord, be going: care not for these;
   For we shall see them shorter by the heads.
EDWARD. Well, that shall be, shall be. Part we must.
   Sweet Spencer, gentle Baldock, part we must.
   Hence, feigned weeds! Unfeigned are my woes.
   Father, farewell. Leicester, thou s