Chapter XXI: Act V: Scene I.581 (1)

_Enter_ FERNEZE, Knights, DEL BOSCO, [_and_ Officers].

_Fern._ Now, gentlemen, betake you to your arms,
And see that Malta be well fortifi’d;
And it behoves you to be resolute;
For Calymath, having hover’d here so long,
Will win the town, or die before the walls. 5

_1 Knight._ And die he shall, for we will never yield.

_Enter_ COURTESAN [BELLAMIRA] _and_ PILIA-BORSA.

_Bell._ O, bring us to the governor.

_Fern._ Away with her! she is a courtesan.

_Bell._ Whate’er I am, yet, governor, hear me speak; 9
I bring thee news by whom thy son was slain:
Mathias did it not; it was the Jew.

_Pilia._ Who, besides the slaughter of these gentlemen,
Poison’d his own daughter and the nuns,
Strangled a friar and I know not what 14
Mischief beside.

_Fern._ Had we but proof of this——

_Bell._ Strong proof, my lord; his man ’s now at my lodging,
That was his agent; he’ll confess it all.

_Fern._ Go fetch him straight [_Exeunt_ Officers].
I always fear’d that Jew.

_Enter_ [Officers _with_] BARABAS _and_ ITHAMORE.

_Bar._ I’ll go alone; dogs! do not hale me thus.

_Itha._ Nor me neither, I cannot outrun you, constable:—O my belly! 21

_Bar._ [_Aside._] One dram of powder more had made all sure.
What a damn’d slave was I!

_Fern._ Make fires, heat irons, let the rack be fetch’d.

_1 Knight._ Nay, stay, my lord; ’t may be he will confess. 25

_Bar._ Confess! what mean you, lords? Who should confess?

_Fern._ Thou and thy Turk; ’t was you that slew my son.

_Itha._ Guilty, my lord, I confess. Your son and Mathias were both
contracted unto Abigail; he forg’d a counterfeit challenge. 30

_Bar._ Who carried that challenge?

_Itha._ I carried it, I confess; but who writ it? Marry, even he that
strangled Barnardine, poison’d the nuns and his own daughter.

_Fern._ Away with him! his sight is death to me. 35

_Bar._ For what, you men of Malta? Hear me speak:
She is a courtesan, and he a thief,
And he my bondman. Let me have law,
For none of this can prejudice my life.

_Fern._ Once more, away with him; you shall have law. 40

_Bar._ [_Aside._] Devils, do your worst! I’ll live in spite of you.—
As these have spoke, so be it to their souls!—
[_Aside._] I hope the poison’d flowers will work anon.

_Exeunt_ [Officers _with_ BARABAS _and_ ITHAMORE, BELLAMIRA _and_ PILIA-BORSA].

_Enter_ [KATHERINE.][582]

_Kath._ Was my Mathias murder’d by the Jew?
Ferneze, ’t was thy son that murder’d him. 45

_Fern._ Be patient, gentle madam, it was he;
He forg’d the daring challenge made them fight.

_Kath._ Where is the Jew? Where is that murderer?

_Fern._ In prison till the law has pass’d on him.

_Re-enter_ [First] Officer.

_1 Off._ My lord, the courtesan and her man are dead: 50
So is the Turk and Barabas the Jew.

_Fern._ Dead!

_1 Off._ Dead, my lord, and here they bring his body.

_Bosco._ This sudden death of his is very strange.

_Fern._ Wonder not at it, sir, the Heavens are just; 55
Their deaths were like their lives, then think not of ’em.
Since they are dead, let them be buried;
For the Jew’s body, throw that o’er the walls.
To be a prey for vultures and wild beasts.—
So now away, and fortify the town. _Exeunt._ 60

[SCENE II.]

[BARABAS _discovered rising._][583]

_Bar._ What, all alone? Well fare, sleepy drink.
I’ll be reveng’d on this accursed town:
For by my means Calymath shall enter in.
I’ll help to slay their children and their wives,
To fire the churches, pull their houses down, 5
Take my goods too, and seize upon my lands.
I hope to see the governor a slave,
And, rowing in a galley, whipt to death.

_Enter_ CALYMATH, Bassoes, _and_ Turks.

_Caly._ Whom have we there, a spy?

_Bar._ Yes, my good lord, one that can spy a place 10
Where you may enter, and surprise the town:
My name is Barabas: I am a Jew.

_Caly._ Art thou that Jew whose goods we heard were sold
For tribute-money?

_Bar._ The very same, my lord:
And since that time they have hir’d a slave, my man, 15
To accuse me of a thousand villanies:
I was imprison’d, but escap’d their hands.

_Caly._ Did’st break prison?

_Bar._ No, no;
I drank of poppy and cold mandrake juice; 20
And being asleep, belike they thought me dead,
And threw me o’er the walls: so, or how else,
The Jew is here, and rests at your command.

_Caly._ ’T was bravely done: but tell me, Barabas, 24
Canst thou, as thou report’st, make Malta ours?

_Bar._ Fear not, my lord, for here against the sluice[584]
The rock is hollow, and of purpose digg’d
To make a passage for the running streams
And common channels of the city.
Now, whilst you give assault unto the walls, 30
I’ll lead five hundred soldiers through the vault,
And rise with them i’ th’ middle of the town,
Open the gates for you to enter in;
And by this means the city is your own. 34

_Caly._ If this be true, I’ll make thee governor.

_Bar._ And if it be not true, then let me die.

_Caly._ Thou’st doom’d thyself. Assault it presently.[585] _Exeunt._

[SCENE III.][586]

_Alarums. Enter_ [CALYMATH, Bassoes,] Turks, _and_ BARABAS, _with_ FERNEZE _and_ Knights _prisoners_.

_Caly._ Now vail[587] your pride, you captive Christians,
And kneel for mercy to your conquering foe.
Now where ’s the hope you had of haughty Spain?
Ferneze, speak, had it not been much better 4
To keep[588] thy promise than be thus surpris’d?

_Fern._ What should I say? We are captives and must yield.

_Caly._ Ay, villains, you must yield, and under Turkish yokes
Shall groaning bear the burden of our ire;
And, Barabas, as erst we promis’d thee,
For thy desert we make thee governor; 10
Use them at thy discretion.

_Bar._ Thanks, my lord.

_Fern._ O fatal day, to fall into the hands
Of such a traitor and unhallowed Jew!
What greater misery could Heaven inflict?

_Caly._ ’T is our command: and, Barabas, we give 15
To guard thy person these our Janizaries:
Entreat them well, as we have used thee.
And now, brave bassoes, come, we’ll walk about
The ruin’d town, and see the wrack we made:— 19
Farewell, brave Jew—farewell, great Barabas!

_Exeunt_ [CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes].

_Bar._ May all good fortune follow Calymath!
And now, as entrance to our safety,
To prison with the governor and these
Captains, his consorts and confederates.

_Fern._ O villain! Heaven will be reveng’d on thee. 25

_Exeunt_ [Turks, _with_ FERNEZE _and_ Knights.]

_Bar._ Away! no more; let him not trouble me.[589]
Thus hast thou gotten, by thy policy,
No simple place, no small authority.
I now am governor of Malta; true,—
But Malta hates me, and, in hating me, 30
My life ’s in danger, and what boots it thee,
Poor Barabas, to be the governor,
Whenas thy life shall be at their command?
No, Barabas, this must be look’d into;
And since by wrong thou got’st authority, 35
Maintain it bravely by firm policy,
At least unprofitably lose it not:
For he that liveth in authority,
And neither gets him friends, nor fills his bags,
Lives like the ass, that Aesop speaketh of, 40
That labours with a load of bread and wine,
And leaves it off to snap on thistle-tops:
But Barabas will be more circumspect.
Begin betimes; occasion’s bald behind;
Slip not thine opportunity, for fear too late 45
Thou seek’st for much, but canst not compass it.—
Within here!

_Enter_ FERNEZE, _with a Guard_.

_Fern._ My lord?

_Bar._ Ay, “lord;” thus slaves will learn.
Now, governor;—stand by there, wait within. [_Exeunt_ Guard.]
This is the reason that I sent for thee:
Thou seest thy life and Malta’s happiness 50
Are at my arbitrement; and Barabas
At his discretion may dispose of both;
Now tell me, governor, and plainly too,
What think’st thou shall become of it and thee?

_Fern._ This, Barabas; since things are in thy power, 55
I see no reason but of Malta’s wrack,
Nor hope of thee but extreme cruelty;
Nor fear I death, nor will I flatter thee.

_Bar._ Governor, good words; be not so furious.
’T is not thy life which can avail me aught; 60
Yet you do live, and live for me you shall:
And, as for Malta’s ruin, think you not
’T were slender policy for Barabas
To dispossess himself of such a place?
For sith, as once you said, ’t is in[590] this isle, 65
In Malta here, that I have got my goods,
And in this city still have had success,
And now at length am grown your governor,
Yourselves shall see it shall not be forgot:
For, as a friend not known but in distress, 70
I ’ll rear up Malta, now remediless.

_Fern._ Will Barabas recover Malta’s loss?
Will Barabas be good to Christians?

_Bar._ What wilt thou give me, governor, to procure
A dissolution of the slavish bands 75
Wherein the Turk hath yok’d your land and you?
What will you give me if I render you
The life of Calymath, surprise his men,
And in an outhouse of the city shut
His soldiers, till I have consum’d ’em all with fire? 80
What will you give him that procureth this?

_Fern._ Do but bring this to pass which thou pretendest,
Deal truly with us as thou intimatest,
And I will send amongst the citizens,
And by my letters privately procure 85
Great sums of money for thy recompense:
Nay more, do this, and live thou governor still.

_Bar._ Nay, do thou this, Ferneze, and be free;
Governor, I enlarge thee; live with me,
Go walk about the city, see thy friends: 90
Tush, send not letters to ’em, go thyself,
And let me see what money thou canst make.
Here is my hand that I ’ll set Malta free:
And thus we cast it: to a solemn feast
I will invite young Selim Calymath, 95
Where be thou present only to perform
One stratagem that I ’ll impart to thee,
Wherein no danger shall betide thy life,
And I will warrant Malta free for ever. 99

_Fern._ Here is my hand; believe me, Barabas,
I will be there, and do as thou desirest.
When is the time?

_Bar._ Governor, presently:
For Calymath, when he hath view’d the town,
Will take his leave and sail toward Ottoman.

_Fern._ Then will I, Barabas, about his coin, 105
And bring it with me to thee in the evening.

_Bar._ Do so, but fail not; now farewell, Ferneze!—[_Exit_ FERNEZE.]
And thus far roundly goes the business:
Thus loving neither, will I live with both,
Making a profit of my policy; 110
And he from whom my most advantage comes
Shall be my friend.
This is the life we Jews are us’d to lead;
And reason too, for Christians do the like.
Well, now about effecting this device; 115
First to surprise great Selim’s soldiers,
And then to make provision for the feast,
That at one instant all things may be done.
My policy detests prevention:
To what event my secret purpose drives, 120
I know; and they shall witness with their lives. _Exit._

[SCENE IV.][591]

_Enter_ CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes.

_Caly._ Thus have we view’d the city, seen the sack
And caus’d the ruins to be new-repair’d.
Which with our bombards’[592] shot and basilisk
We rent in sunder at our entry:
And now I see the situation, 5
And how secure this conquer’d island stands
Environ’d with the Mediterranean Sea,
Strong-countermin’d with other petty isles;
And, toward Calabria, back’d by Sicily,
Where Syracusian Dionysius reign’d, 10
Two lofty turrets that command the town.
I wonder how it could be conquer’d thus.

_Enter a_ Messenger.

_Mess._ From Barabas, Malta’s governor, I bring
A message unto mighty Calymath;
Hearing his sovereign was bound for sea, 15
To sail to Turkey, to great Ottoman,
He humbly would entreat your majesty
To come and see his homely citadel,
And banquet with him ere thou leav’st the isle.

_Caly._ To banquet with him in his citadel? 20
I fear me, messenger, to feast my train
Within a town of war so lately pillag’d
Will be too costly and too troublesome:
Yet would I gladly visit Barabas,
For well has Barabas deserv’d of us. 25

_Mess._ Selim, for that, thus saith the governor,
That he hath in his store a pearl so big,
So precious, and withal so orient,
As, be it valued but indifferently,
The price thereof will serve to entertain 30
Selim and all his soldiers for a month;
Therefore he humbly would entreat your highness
Not to depart till he has feasted you.

_Caly._ I cannot feast my men in Malta-walls,
Except he place his tables in the streets. 35

_Mess._ Know, Selim, that there is a monastery
Which standeth as an outhouse to the town:
There will he banquet them; but thee at home,
With all thy bassoes and brave followers.

_Caly._ Well, tell the governor we grant his suit, 40
We’ll in this summer evening feast with him.

_Mess._ I shall, my lord. _Exit._

_Caly._ And now, bold bassoes, let us to our tents,
And meditate how we may grace us best
To solemnize our governor’s great feast. _Exeunt._ 45

[SCENE V.][593]

_Enter_ FERNEZE, Knights, _and_ DEL BOSCO.

_Fern._ In this, my countrymen, be rul’d by me,
Have special care that no man sally forth
Till you shall hear a culverin discharg’d
By him that bears the linstock, kindled thus;
Then issue out and come to rescue me, 5
For happily I shall be in distress,
Or you released of this servitude.

_1 Knight._ Rather than thus to live as Turkish thralls,
What will we not adventure?

_Fern._ On then, begone.

_Knights._ Farewell, grave governor! (10) [_Exeunt on one side_
Knights _and_ DEL BOSCO; _on the other_ FERNEZE.]

[SCENE VI.][594]

_Enter, above,_ [BARABAS,] _with a hammer, very busy;_ [_and_ Carpenters].

_Bar._ How stands the cords? How hang these hinges? Fast?
Are all the cranes and pulleys sure?

_1 Carp._ All fast.

_Bar._ Leave nothing loose, all levell’d to my mind.
Why now I see that you have art indeed.
There, carpenters, divide that gold amongst you: [_Gives money._] 5
Go swill in bowls of sack and muscadine!
Down to the cellar, taste of all my wines.

_1 Carp._ We shall, my lord, and thank you. _Exeunt_ [Carpenters].

_Bar._ And, if you like them, drink your fill and die:
For so I live, perish may all the world! 10
Now, Selim Calymath, return me word
That thou wilt come, and I am satisfied.
_Enter_ Messenger.
Now, sirrah, what, will he come?

_Mess._ He will; and has commanded all his men
To come ashore, and march through Malta streets, 15
That thou may’st feast them in thy citadel.

_Bar._ Then now are all things as my wish would have ’em,
There wanteth nothing but the governor’s pelf,
And see, he brings it.
_Enter_ FERNEZE.
Now, governor, the sum.

_Fern._ With free consent, a hundred thousand pounds. 20

_Bar._ Pounds, say’st thou, governor? Well, since it is no more,
I’ll satisfy myself with that; nay, keep it still,
For if I keep not promise, trust not me,
And, governor, now partake my policy:
First, for his army; they are sent before, 25
Enter’d the monastery, and underneath
In several places are field-pieces pitch’d,
Bombards, whole barrels full of gunpowder
That on the sudden shall dissever it,
And batter all the stones about their ears, 30
Whence none can possibly escape alive.
Now as for Calymath and his consorts
Here have I made a dainty gallery,
The floor whereof, this cable being cut,
Doth fall asunder; so that it doth sink 35
Into a deep pit past recovery.
Here, hold that knife [_throws down a knife_], and
when thou seest he comes,
And with his bassoes shall be blithely set,
A warning-piece shall be shot off from the tower,
To give thee knowledge when to cut the cord 40
And fire the house; say, will not this be brave?

_Fern._ O excellent! here, hold thee, Barabas,
I trust thy word, take what I promis’d thee.

_Bar._ No, governor, I’ll satisfy thee first,
Thou shalt not live in doubt of anything. 45
Stand close,[595] for here they come [FERNEZE _retires_].
Why, is not this
A kingly kind of trade to purchase towns
By treachery and sell ’em by deceit?
Now tell me, worldlings, underneath the sun
If greater falsehood ever has been done? 50

_Enter_ CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes.

_Caly._ Come, my companion bassoes; see, I pray,
How busy Barabas is there above
To entertain us in his gallery;
Let us salute him. Save thee, Barabas!

_Bar._ Welcome, great Calymath! 55

_Fern._ [_Aside._] How the slave jeers at him.

_Bar._ Will’t please thee, mighty Selim Calymath,
To ascend our homely stairs?

_Caly._ Ay, Barabas;—
Come bassoes, attend.[596]

_Fern._ [_coming forward._] Stay, Calymath! 60
For I will show thee greater courtesy
Than Barabas would have afforded thee.

_Knight_ [_within._] Sound a charge there!

_A charge_ [_sounded within._ FERNEZE] _cuts the cord:_ [_the floor of the gallery gives way, and_ BARABAS _falls into_] _a caldron._

[_Enter_ DEL BOSCO _and_ Knights.]

_Caly._ How now! what means this?

_Bar._ Help, help me! Christians, help! 65

_Fern._ See, Calymath, this was devis’d for thee!

_Caly._ Treason! treason! bassoes, fly!

_Fern._ No, Selim, do not fly;
See his end first, and fly then if thou canst. 69

_Bar._ O help me, Selim! help me, Christians! Governor, why stand you
all so pitiless?

_Fern._ Should I in pity of thy plaints or thee,
Accursed Barabas, base Jew, relent?
No, thus I’ll see thy treachery repaid,
But wish thou hadst behav’d thee otherwise. 75

_Bar._ You will not help me, then?

_Fern._ No, villain, no.

_Bar._ And, villains, know you cannot help me now.—
Then, Barabas, breathe forth thy latest [hate,][597]
And in the fury of thy torments strive
To end thy life with resolution. 80
Know, governor, ’t was I that slew thy son;
I fram’d the challenge that did make them meet.
Know, Calymath, I aim’d thy overthrow,
And had I but escap’d this stratagem,
I would have brought confusion on you all, 85
Damn’d Christians, dogs, and Turkish infidels!
But now begins the extremity of heat
To pinch me with intolerable pangs.
Die, life! fly, soul! tongue, curse thy fill, and die! [_Dies._]

_Caly._ Tell me, you Christians, what doth this portend? 90

_Fern._ This train he laid to have entrapp’d thy life.
Now, Selim, note the unhallowed deeds of Jews:
Thus he determin’d to have handled thee,
But I have rather chose to save thy life.

_Caly._ Was this the banquet he prepared for us? 95
Let’s hence, lest further mischief be pretended.[598]

_Fern._ Nay, Selim, stay; for since we have thee here,
We will not let thee part so suddenly:
Besides, if we should let thee go, all’s one.
For with thy galleys could’st thou not get hence, 100
Without fresh men to rig and furnish them.

_Caly._ Tush, governor, take thou no care for that,
My men are all aboard,
And do attend my coming there by this.

_Fern._ Why heard’s thou not the trumpet sound a charge? 105

_Caly._ Yes, what of that?

_Fern._ Why then the house was fir’d,
Blown up, and all thy soldiers massacred.

_Caly._ O monstrous treason!

_Fern._ A Jew’s courtesy:
For he that did by treason work our fall,
By treason hath delivered thee to us. 110
Know, therefore, till thy father hath made good
The ruins done to Malta and to us,
Thou canst not part; for Malta shall be freed,
Or Selim ne’er return to Ottoman.

_Caly._ Nay, rather, Christians, let me go to Turkey, 115
In person there to mediate[599] your peace;
To keep me here will naught advantage you.

_Fern._ Content thee, Calymath, here thou must stay,
And live in Malta prisoner; for come all the world
To rescue thee, so will we guard us now, 120
As sooner shall they drink the ocean dry
Than conquer Malta, or endanger us.
So march away, and let due praise be given
Neither to Fate nor Fortune, but to Heaven.
[_Exeunt._]

THE TROUBLESOME REIGN AND LAMENTABLE DEATH OF EDWARD THE SECOND

BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE.

[DRAMATIS PERSONAE

KING EDWARD THE SECOND.
PRINCE EDWARD, his Son, afterwards King Edward the Third.
EARL OF KENT, Brother to King Edward the Second.
GAVESTON.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
BISHOP OF COVENTRY.
BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.
WARWICK.
LANCASTER.
PEMBROKE.
ARUNDEL.
LEICESTER.
BERKELEY.
MORTIMER, the elder.
MORTIMER, the younger, his Nephew.
SPENCER, the elder.
SPENCER, the younger, his Son.
BALDOCK.
BEAUMONT.
TRUSSEL.
GURNEY.
MATREVIS.
LIGHTBORN.
SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT.
LEVUNE.
RICE AP HOWELL.
Abbot, Monks, Herald, Lords, Poor Men, JAMES, Mower, Champion,
Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants.

QUEEN ISABELLA, Wife to King Edward the Second.
Niece to King Edward the Second, daughter to the Duke of Gloucester.
Ladies.]

[ACT I]

[SCENE I.][600]

_Enter_ GAVESTON, _reading on a letter that was brought him from the King_.

_Gaveston._ “My father is deceas’d! 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! 5
Sweet prince, I come; these, these thy amorous lines
Might have enforc’d me to have swum from France,
And, like Leander, gasp’d upon the sand,
So thou would’st smile, and take me in thine arms.
The sight of London to my exil’d eyes 10
Is as Elysium to a new-come 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,[601]
And with the world be still at enmity. 15
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 20
Rak’d up in embers of their poverty;—
_Tanti._[602] I’ll fawn first on the wind
That glanceth at my lips, and flyeth away.
_Enter three_ Poor Men.
But how now, what are these?

_Poor Men._ Such as desire your worship’s service. 25

_Gav._ What canst thou do?

_1 P. Man._ I can ride.

_Gav._ But I have no horses.—What art thou?

_2 P. Man._ A traveller.

_Gav._ Let me see: thou would’st do well 30
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?

_3 P. Man._ A soldier that hath serv’d against the Scot.

_Gav._ Why, there are hospitals for such as you. 35
I have no war, and therefore, sir, begone.

_3 P. Man._ Farewell, and perish by a soldier’s hand,
That would’st reward them with an hospital.

_Gav._ Ay, ay, these words of his move me as much
As if a goose should play the porpentine, 40
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.—[_Aside._]
You know that I came lately out of France,
And yet I have not view’d my lord the king; 45
If I speed well, I’ll entertain you all.

_All._ We thank your worship.

_Gav._ I have some business: leave me to myself.

_All._ We will wait here about the court.
_Exeunt._

_Gav._ Do.—These are not men for me: 50
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, 55
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 an antic hay.[603]
Sometime a lovely boy in Dian’s shape, 61
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, 65
Shall bathe him in a spring; and there hard by,
One like Actaeon peeping through the grove
Shall by the angry goddess be transform’d,
And running in the likeness of an hart
By yelping hounds pull ’d down, and seem to die;— 70
Such things as these best please his majesty,
My lord.—Here comes the king, and the nobles
From the parliament. I’ll stand aside.
[_Retires._]

_Enter_ KING [EDWARD], LANCASTER, _the_ Elder MORTIMER, Young MORTIMER; EDMUND, EARL _of_ KENT; GUY, EARL _of_ WARWICK, _and_ [Attendants].

_K. Edw._ Lancaster!

_Lan._ My lord. 75

_Gav._ That Earl of Lancaster do I abhor. [_Aside._]

_K. Edw._ 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 displeas’d. [_Aside._]

_E. Mor._ If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston. 80

_Gav._ That villain Mortimer! I’ll be his death. [_Aside._]

_Y. Mor._ Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself
Were sworn to 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, 86
Shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need,
And underneath thy banners march who will,
For Mortimer will hang his armour up.

_Gav. Mort Dieu!_ [_Aside._]

_K. Edw._ Well, Mortimer, I’ll make thee rue these words. 91
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. 95
I will have Gaveston; and you shall know
What danger ’t is to stand against your king.

_Gav._ Well done, Ned! [_Aside._]

_Lan._ My lord, why do you thus incense your peers,
That naturally would love and honour you 100
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; 105
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 mov’d,
Braved Moubery[604] in presence of the king; 111
For which, had not his highness lov’d him well,
He should have lost his head; but with his look
The undaunted spirit of Percy was appeas’d,
And Moubery and he were reconcil’d: 115
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.

_War._ O, our heads!

_K. Edw._ Ay, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant— 120

_War._ Bridle thy anger, gentle Mortimer.

_Y. Mor._ 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. 124
Come, uncle, let us leave the brain-sick king,
And henceforth parle with our naked swords.

_E. Mor._ Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads.

_War._ All Warwickshire will love him for my sake.[605]

_Lan._ And northward Gaveston hath many friends.—
Adieu, my lord; and either change your mind, 130
Or look to see the throne, where you should sit,
To float in blood; and at thy wanton head,
The glozing[606] head of thy base minion thrown.

_Exeunt_ [_all except_ KING EDWARD, KENT, GAVESTON, _and_ Attendants].

_K. Edw._ I cannot brook these haughty menaces.
Am I a king, and must be overrul’d?— 135
Brother, display my ensigns in the field;
I’ll bandy[607] with the barons and the earls,
And either die or live with Gaveston.

_Gav._ I can no longer keep me from my lord. [_Comes forward._]

_K. Edw._ What, Gaveston! welcome!—Kiss not my hand— 140
Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee.
Why should’st thou kneel? Know’st thou not who I am?
Thy friend, thyself, another Gaveston!
Not Hylas was more mourn’d of Hercules,
Than thou hast been of me since thy exile. 145

_Gav._ And since I went from hence, no soul in hell
Hath felt more torment than poor Gaveston.

_K. Edw._ I know it.—Brother, welcome home my friend.
Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire,
And that high-minded Earl of Lancaster: 150
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, 155
Earl of Cornwall, King and Lord of Man.

_Gav._ My lord, these titles far exceed my worth.

_Kent._ Brother, the least of these may well suffice
For one of greater birth than Gaveston.

_K. Edw._ Cease, brother, for I cannot brook these words. 160
Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts.
Therefore, to equal it, receive my heart.
If for these dignities thou be envíed,
I’ll give thee more; for, but to honour thee,
Is Edward pleas’d with kingly regiment.[608] 165
Fear’st[609] thou thy person? Thou Shalt have a guard.
Wantest thou gold? Go to my treasury.
Wouldst thou be lov’d and fear’d? Receive my seal;
Save or condemn, and in our name command
Whatso thy mind effects, or fancy likes. 170

_Gav._ It shall suffice me to enjoy your love,
Which whiles I have, I think myself as great
As Caesar riding in the Roman street,
With captive kings at his triumphant car.

_Enter the_ BISHOP OF COVENTRY.

_K. Edw._ Whither goes my lord of Coventry so fast? 175

_B. of Cov._ To celebrate your father’s exequies.
But is that wicked Gaveston return’d?

_K. Edw._ Ay, priest, and lives to be reveng’d on thee.
That wert the only cause of his exile.

_Gav._ ’T is true; and but for reverence of these robes, 180
Thou should’st not plod one foot beyond this place.

_B. of Cov._ I did no more than I was bound to do;
And, Gaveston, unless thou be reclaim’d,
As then I did incense the parliament,
So will I now, and thou shalt back to France.

_Gav._ Saving your reverence, you must pardon me. 186

_K. Edw._ Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole.
And in the channel[610] christen him anew.

_Kent._ Ah, brother, lay not violent hands on him!
For he’ll complain unto the see of Rome. 190

_Gav._ Let him complain unto the see of hell;
I’ll be reveng’d on him for my exile.

_K. Edw._ No, spare his life, but seize upon his goods.
Be thou lord bishop and receive his rents,
And make him serve thee as thy chaplain. 195
I give him thee—here, use him as thou wilt.

_Gav._ He shall to prison, and there die in bolts.

_K. Edw._ Ay, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt.

_B. of Cov._ For this offence, be thou accurst of God!

_K. Edw._ Who ’s there? Convey this priest to the Tower. 200

_B. of Cov._ True, true.[611]

_K. Edw._ But in the meantime, Gaveston, away,
And take possession of his house and goods.
Come, follow me, and thou shalt have my guard
To see it done, and bring thee safe again. 205

_Gav._ What should a priest do with so fair a house?
A prison may best beseem his holiness.
[_Exeunt._]

[SCENE II.][612]

_Enter_ [_on one side_] _both the_ MORTIMERS; [_on the other_,] WARWICK _and_ LANCASTER.

_War._ ’Tis true, the bishop is in the Tower,
And goods and body given to Gaveston.

_Lan._ What! will they tyrannise upon the church?
Ah, wicked king! accursed Gaveston!
This ground, which is corrupted with their steps, 5
Shall be their timeless[613] sepulchre or mine.

_Y. Mor._ Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure;
Unless his breast be sword-proof he shall die.

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

_Y. Mor._ Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent? 10

_Lan._ That villain Gaveston is made an earl.

_E. Mor._ An earl!

_War._ Ay, and besides Lord Chamberlain of the realm.
And Secretary too, and Lord of Man.

_E. Mor._ We may not, nor we will not suffer this. 15

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

_Lan._ “My Lord of Cornwall” now at every word!
And happy is the man whom he vouchsafes,
For vailing of his bonnet,[614] one good look.
Thus, arm in arm, the king and he doth march:
Nay more, the guard upon his lordship waits; 21
And all the court begins to flatter him.

_War._ Thus leaning on the shoulder of the king,
He nods and scorns and smiles at those that pass.

_E. Mor._ Doth no man take exceptions at the slave? 25

_Lan._ All stomach[615] him, but none dare speak a word.

_Y. Mor._ Ah, that bewrays[616] their baseness, Lancaster!
Were all the earls and barons of my mind,
We’ll hale him from the bosom of the king,
And at the court-gate hang the peasant up, 30
Who, swoln with venom of ambitious pride,
Will be the ruin of the realm and us.

_Enter the_ [ARCH]BISHOP _of_ CANTERBURY [_and an_ Attendant.]

_War._ Here comes my lord of Canterbury’s grace.

_Lan._ His countenance bewrays he is displeas’d.

_A. of Cant._ First were his sacred garments rent and torn, 25
Then laid they violent hands upon him; next
Himself imprisoned, and his goods asseiz’d:
This certify the Pope;—away, take horse,
[_Exit Attend._]

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

_A. of Cant._ What need I? God himself is up in arms, 40
When violence is offered to the church.

_Y. Mor._ Then will you join with us, that be his peers,
To banish or behead that Gaveston?

_A. of Cant._ What else, my lords? for it concerns me near;
The bishopric of Coventry is his. 45

_Enter_ QUEEN [ISABELLA].

_Y. Mor._ Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast?

_Q. Isab._ 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. 50
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.”

_E. Mor._ Is it not strange that he is thus bewitch’d? 55

_Y. Mor._ 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 reveng’d at full. 60

_Q. Isab._ But yet lift not your swords against the king.

_Lan._ No; but we will lift Gaveston from hence.

_War._ And war must be the means, or he’ll stay still.

_Q. Isab._ Then let him stay; for rather than my lord
Shall be oppress’d by civil mutinies, 65
I will endure a melancholy life,
And let him frolic with his minion.

_A. of Cant._ My lords, to ease all this, but hear me speak:—
We and the rest, that are his counsellors,
Will meet, and with a general consent 70
Confirm him banishment with our hands and seals.

_Lan._ What we confirm the king will frustrate.

_Y. Mor._ Then may we lawfully revolt from him.

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

_A. of Cant._ At the New Temple. 75

_Y. Mor._ Content.

_A. of Cant._ And, in the meantime, I’ll entreat you all
To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me.

_Lan._ Come then, let’s away.

_Y. Mor._ Madam, farewell! 80

_Q. Isab._ Farewell, sweet Mortimer, and, for my sake,
Forbear to levy arms against the king.

_Y. Mor._ Ay, if words will serve; if not, I must. [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE III.][617]

_Enter_ GAVESTON _and_ KENT.

_Gav._ 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 toward Lambeth—there let them remain! [_Exeunt._] 5

[SCENE IV.][618]

_Enter_ Nobles [LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, _the_ Elder MORTIMER, Young MORTIMER, _the_ ARCHBISHOP _of_ CANTERBURY _and_ Attendants].

_Lan._ Here is the form of Gaveston’s exile:
May it please your lordship to subscribe your name.

_A. of Cant._ Give me the paper.
[_He subscribes, as do the others after him._]

_Lan._ Quick, quick, my lord; I long to write my name.

_War._ But I long more to see him banish’d hence. 5

_Y. Mor._ The name of Mortimer shall fright the king,
Unless he be declin’d from that base peasant.

_Enter_ KING [EDWARD,] GAVESTON, [_and_ KENT].

_K. Edw._ What, are you mov’d that Gaveston sits here?
It is our pleasure; we will have it so.

_Lan._ Your grace doth well to place him by your side, 10
For nowhere else the new earl is so safe.

_E. Mor._ What man of noble birth can brook this sight?
_Quam male conveniunt!_[619]
See what a scornful look the peasant casts!

_Pem._ Can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants? 15

_War._ Ignoble vassal, that like Phaeton
Aspir’st unto the guidance of the sun!

_Y. Mor._ Their downfall is at hand, their forces down;
We will not thus be fac’d and over-peer’d.

_K. Edw._ Lay hands on that traitor Mortimer!

_E. Mor._ Lay hands on that traitor Gaveston! 21

_Kent._ Is this the duty that you owe your king?

_War._ We know our duties—let him know his peers.

_K. Edw._ Whither will you bear him? Stay, or ye shall die.

_E. Mor._ We are no traitors; therefore threaten not. 25

_Gav._ No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home!
Were I a king—

_Y. Mor._ Thou villain, wherefore talk’st thou of a king,
That hardly art a gentleman by birth?

_K. Edw._ Were he a peasant, being my minion, 30
I’ll make the proudest of you stoop to him.

_Lan._ My lord, you may not thus disparage us.—
Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston!

_E. Mor._ And with the Earl of Kent that favours him.
[Attendants _remove_ KENT _and_ GAVESTON.]

_K. Edw._ Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king. 35
Here, Mortimer, sit thou in Edward’s throne;
Warwick and Lancaster, wear you my crown.
Was ever king thus over-rul’d as I?

_Lan._ Learn then to rule us better, and the realm.

_Y. Mor._ What we have done, our heart-blood shall maintain. 40

_War._ Think you that we can brook this upstart pride?

_K. Edw._ Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech.

_A. of Cant._ Why are you mov’d? Be patient, my lord,
And see what we your counsellors have done.

_Y. Mor._ My lords, now let us all be resolute, 45
And either have our wills, or lose our lives.

_K. Edw._ Meet you for this, proud overdaring peers?
Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me,
This isle shall fleet[620] upon the ocean,
And wander to the unfrequented Inde. 50

_A. of Cant._ 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.

_Y. Mor._ Curse him, if he refuse; and then may we
Depose him and elect another king. 55

_K. Edw._ Ay, there it goes! but yet I will not yield.
Curse me, depose me, do the worst you can.

_Lan._ Then linger not, my lord, but do it straight.

_A. of Cant._ Remember how the bishop was abus’d! 59
Either banish him that was the cause thereof,
Or I will presently discharge these lords
Of duty and allegiance due to thee.

_K. Edw._ [_Aside._] It boots me not to threat; I must speak fair.—
The legate of the Pope will be obey’d.
My lord, you shall be Chancellor of the realm;
Thou, Lancaster, High Admiral of our fleet; 66
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, 70
And share it equally amongst you all,
So I may have some nook or corner left,
To frolic with my dearest Gaveston.

_A. of Cant._ Nothing shall alter us, we are resolv’d.

_Lan._ Come, come, subscribe. 75

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

_K. Edw._ 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. 80

_War._ You that are princely-born should shake him off.
For shame subscribe, and let the lown[621] depart.

_E. Mor._ Urge him, my lord.

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

_K. Edw._ I see I must, and therefore am content. 85
Instead of ink, I’ll write it with my tears.
[_Subscribes._]

_Y. Mor._ The king is love-sick for his minion.

_K. Edw._ ’T is done; and now, accursed hand, fall off!

_Lan._ Give it me; I’ll have it publish’d in the streets.

_Y. Mor._ I’ll see him presently despatch’d away. 90

_A. of Cant._ Now is my heart at ease.

_War._ And so is mine.

_Pem._ This will be good news to the common sort.

_E. Mor._ Be it or no, he shall not linger here.
_Exeunt all except_ KING EDWARD.

_K. Edw._ How fast they run to banish him I love!
They would not stir, were it to do me good. 95
Why should a king be subject to a priest?
Proud Rome! that hatchest such imperial grooms,
For these thy superstitious taper-lights,
Wherewith thy antichristian churches blaze,
I’ll fire thy crazed buildings, and enforce 100
The papal towers to kiss the lowly ground!
With slaughtered priests make Tiber’s channel swell,
And banks rais’d higher with their sepulchres!
As for the peers, that back the clergy thus,
If I be king, not one of them shall live. 105

_Re-enter_ GAVESTON.

_Gav._ My lord, I hear it whispered everywhere,
That I am banish’d, and must fly the land.

_K. Edw._ ’T is true, sweet Gaveston—O! were it false!
The legate of the Pope will have it so,
And thou must hence, or I shall be depos’d. 110
But I will reign to be reveng’d of them;
And therefore, sweet friend, take it patiently.
Live where thou wilt, I’ll send thee gold enough;
And long thou shalt not stay, or if thou dost, 114
I’ll come to thee; my love shall ne’er decline.

_Gav._ Is all my hope turn’d to this hell of grief?

_K. Edw._ Rend not my heart with thy too piercing words:
Thou from this land, I from myself am banish’d.

_Gav._ To go from hence grieves not poor Gaveston;
But to forsake you, in whose gracious looks 120
The blessedness of Gaveston remains,
For nowhere else seeks he felicity.

_K. Edw._ And only this torments my wretched soul
That, whether I will or no, thou must depart.
Be governor of Ireland in my stead, 125
And there abide till fortune call thee home.
Here take my picture, and let me wear thine;
[_They exchange pictures._]
O, might I keep thee here as I do this,
Happy were I! but now most miserable! 129

_Gav._ ’Tis something to be pitied of a king.

_K. Edw._ Thou shalt not hence—I’ll hide thee, Gaveston.

_Gav._ I shall be found, and then ’t will grieve me more.

_K. Edw._ Kind words and mutual talk makes our grief greater;
Therefore, with dumb embracement, let us part.—
Stay, Gaveston, I cannot leave thee thus. 135

_Gav._ For every look, my lord[622] drops down a tear.
Seeing I must go, do not renew my sorrow.

_K. Edw._ 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. 140

_Gav._ The peers will frown.

_K. Edw._ I pass[623] not for their anger.—Come let’s go;
O that we might as well return as go.

_Enter_ EDMUND _and_ QUEEN ISABELLA.

_Q. Isab._ Whither goes my lord?

_K. Edw._ Fawn not on me, French strumpet! Get thee gone! 145

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

_Gav._ On Mortimer! with whom, ungentle queen—
I say no more. Judge you the rest, my lord.

_Q. Isab._ In saying this, thou wrong’st me, Gaveston. 149
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?

_Gav._ I mean not so; your grace must pardon me.

_K. Edw._ Thou art too familiar with that Mortimer,
And by thy means is Gaveston exil’d; 155
But I would wish thee reconcile the lords,
Or thou shalt ne’er be reconcil’d to me.

_Q. Isab._ Your highness knows it lies not in my power.

_K. Edw._ Away then! touch me not.—Come, Gaveston.

_Q. Isab._ Villain! ’t is thou that robb’st me of my lord. 160

_Gav._ Madam, ’t is you that rob me of my lord.

_K. Edw._ Speak not unto her; let her droop and pine.

_Q. Isab._ Wherein, my lord, have I deserv’d these words?
Witness the tears that Isabella sheds,
Witness this heart, that, sighing for thee, breaks, 165
How dear my lord is to poor Isabel.

_K. Edw._ And witness Heaven how dear thou art to me!
There weep; for till my Gaveston be repeal’d.
Assure thyself thou com’st not in my sight.
_Exeunt_ EDWARD _and_ GAVESTON.

_Q. Isab._ O miserable and distressed queen!
Would, when I left sweet France and was embark’d, 171
That charming Circes, walking on the waves,
Had chang’d my shape, or at the marriage-day
The cup of Hymen had been full of poison,
Or with those arms that twin’d about my neck
I had been stifled, and not liv’d to see 176
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 180
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; 185
And so am I for ever miserable.

_Re-enter_ Nobles [LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, _the_ Elder MORTIMER, _and_ Young MORTIMER] _to the_ Queen.

_Lan._ Look where the sister of the King of France
Sits wringing of her hands, and beats her breast!

_War._ The king, I fear, hath ill-entreated her.

_Pem._ Hard is the heart that injures such a saint. 190

_Y. Mor._ I know ’t is ’long of Gaveston she weeps.

_E. Mor._ Why? He is gone.

_Y. Mor._ Madam, how fares your grace?

_Q. Isab._ Ah, Mortimer! now breaks the king’s hate forth,
And he confesseth that he loves me not.

_Y. Mor._ Cry quittance, madam, then; and love not him. 195

_Q. Isab._ No, rather will I die a thousand deaths!
And yet I love in vain;—he’ll ne’er love me.

_Lan._ Fear ye not, madam; now his minion’s gone,
His wanton humour will be quickly left. 199

_Q. Isab._ O never, Lancaster! I am enjoin’d
To sue upon you all for his repeal;
This wills my lord, and this must I perform,
Or else be banish’d from his highness’ presence.

_Lan._ For his repeal? Madam, he comes not back,
Unless the sea cast up his shipwrack’d body. 205

_War._ And to behold so sweet a sight as that,
There’s none here but would run his horse to death.

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

_Q. Isab._ Ay. Mortimer, for till he be restor’d,
The angry king hath banish’d me the court; 210
And, therefore, as thou lov’st and tend’rest me,
Be thou my advocate unto these peers.

_Y. Mor._ What! would you have me plead for Gaveston?

_E. Mor._ Plead for him he that will, I am resolv’d.

_Lan._ And so am I, my lord. Dissuade the queen. 215

_Q. Isab._ O Lancaster! let him dissuade the king,
For ’t is against my will he should return.

_War._ Then speak not for him, let the peasant go.

_Q. Isab._ ’T is for myself I speak, and not for him.

_Pem._ No speaking will prevail, and therefore cease. 220

_Y. Mor._ 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.

_Q. Isab._ Sweet Mortimer, sit down by me awhile, 225
And I will tell thee reasons of such weight
As thou wilt soon subscribe to his repeal.

_Y. Mor._ It is impossible; but speak your mind.

_Q. Isab._ Then thus,—but none shall hear it but ourselves.
[_Talks to_ Young MORTIMER _apart_.]

_Lan._ My lords, albeit the queen win Mortimer, 230
Will you be resolute, and hold with me?

_E. Mor._ Not I, against my nephew.

_Pem._ Fear not, the queen’s words cannot alter him.

_War._ No? Do but mark how earnestly she pleads!

_Lan._ And see how coldly his looks make denial! 235

_War._ She smiles; now for my life his mind is chang’d!

_Lan._ I’ll rather lose his friendship, I, than grant.

_Y. Mor._ Well, of necessity it must be so.
My lords, that I abhor base Gaveston,
I hope your honours make no question, 240
And therefore, though I plead for his repeal,
’T is not for his sake, but for our avail;
Nay for the realm’s behoof, and for the king’s.

_Lan._ Fie, Mortimer, dishonour not thyself!
Can this be true, ’t was good to banish him? 245
And is this true,[624] to call him home again?
Such reasons make white black, and dark night day.

_Y. Mor._ My lord of Lancaster, mark the respect.[625]

_Lan._ In no respect can contraries be true.

_Q. Isab._ Yet, good my lord, hear what he can allege. 250

_War._ All that he speaks is nothing; we are resolv’d.

_Y. Mor._ Do you not wish that Gaveston were dead?

_Pem._ I would he were!

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

_E. Mor._ But, nephew, do not play the sophister. 255

_Y. Mor._ 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? 260
And whereas he shall live and be belov’d,
’T is hard for us to work his overthrow.

_War._ Mark you but that, my lord of Lancaster.

_Y. Mor._ But were he here, detested as he is,
How easily might some base slave be suborn’d
To greet his lordship with a poniard, 266
And none so much as blame the murderer,
But rather praise him for that brave attempt,
And in the chronicle enrol his name
For purging of the realm of such a plague! 270

_Pem._ He saith true.

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

_Y. Mor._ 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, 275
’T will make him vail[626] the top-flag of his pride,
And fear to offend the meanest nobleman.

_E. Mor._ But bow if he do not, nephew?

_Y. Mor._ Then may we with some colour[627] rise in arms;
For howsoever we have borne it out, 280
’T is treason to be up against the king.
So we shall have the people of our side,
Which for his father’s sake lean to the king,
But cannot brook a night-grown mushroom,
Such a one as my lord of Cornwall is, 285
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, 290
Think me as base a groom as Gaveston.

_Lan._ On that condition, Lancaster will grant.

_War._ And so will Pembroke and I.

_E. Mor._ And I. 294

_Y. Mor._ In this I count me highly gratified,
And Mortimer will rest at your command.

_Q. Isab._ And when this favour Isabel forgets,
Then let her live abandon’d and forlorn.—
But see, in happy time, my lord the king,
Having brought the Earl of Cornwall on his way, 300
Is new return’d. This news will glad him much,
Yet not so much as me. I love him more
Than he can Gaveston; would he lov’d me
But half so much, then were I treble-blest.

_Re-enter_ KING EDWARD, _mourning_.

_K. Edw._ He’s gone, and for his absence thus I mourn. 305
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 gain’d, having bought so dear a friend. 310

_Q. Isab._ Hark! how he harps upon his minion.

_K. Edw._ 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. 315
Ah! had some bloodless Fury rose from hell,
And with my kingly sceptre struck me dead,
When I was forc’d to leave my Gaveston!

_Lan. Diablo!_ What passions call you these?

_Q. Isab._ My gracious lord, I come to bring you news. 320