Chapter XXIII: Act V: Scene I.581 (3)

_Y. Mor._ 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 show’d himself; but, madam, right makes room 50
Where weapons want; and, though a many friends
Are made away, away, as Warwick, Lancaster,
And others of our party and faction;
Yet have we friends, assure your grace, in England
Would cast up caps, and clap their hands for joy, 55
To see us there, appointed[689] for our foes.

_Kent._ Would all were well, and Edward well reclaim’d,
For England’s honour, peace, and quietness.

_Y. Mor._ But by the sword, my lord, ’t must be deserv’d;[690]
The king will ne’er forsake his flatterers. 60

_Sir J._ My lord of England, sith th’ 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, 64
We will find comfort, money, men, and friends
Ere long, to bid the English king a base.[691]
How say, young prince? What think you of the match?

_P. Edw._ I think King Edward will outrun us all.

_Q. Isab._ Nay, son, not so; and you must not discourage
Your friends, that are so forward in your aid. 70

_Kent._ Sir John of Hainault, pardon us, I pray;
These comforts that you give our woful queen
Bind us in kindness all at your command.

_Q. Isab._ Yea, gentle brother; and the God of heaven
Prosper your happy motion, good Sir John. 75

_Y. Mor._ 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 restor’d and comforted. 80

_Sir J._ Madam, along, and you my lords, with me,
That England’s peers may Hainault’s welcome see. [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE III.][692]

_Enter_ KING [EDWARD,] ARUNDEL, _the_ Elder _and_ Younger SPENCER, _with others_.

_K. Edw._ Thus after many threats of wrathful war,
Triumpheth England’s Edward with his friends;
And triumph, Edward, with his friends uncontroll’d!
My lord of Gloucester, do you hear the news?

_Y. Spen._ What news, my lord? 5

_K. Edw._ Why, man, they say there is great execution
Done through the realm; my lord of Arundel,
You have the note, have you not?

_Arun._ From the Lieutenant of the Tower, my lord.

_K. Edw._ I pray let us see it. [_Takes the note._]
What have we there? 10
Read it, Spencer.
[_Hands the note to_] Young SPENCER [_who_] _reads the names_.
Why, so; they bark’d 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. 16
What now remains? Have you proclaim’d, my lord,
Reward for them can bring in Mortimer?

_Y. Spen._ My lord, we have; and if he be in England,
’A will be had ere long, I doubt it not. 20

_K. Edw._ If, dost thou say? Spencer, as true as death,
He is in England’s ground; our portmasters
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;— 25
To you, my lord of Gloucester, from Levune.
[_Gives letters to_ Young SPENCER]

_K. Edw._ Read.

_Y. Spen._ (_reads_).
“My duty to your honour premised, &c, I have, according to
instructions in that behalf, dealt with the King of France his lords,
and (30) 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 (35) 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. 40

Your honour’s in all service, LEVUNE.”

_K. Edw._ Ah, villains! hath that Mortimer escap’d?
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. 46
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 50
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 Bristow,[693] there to make us strong;
And, winds, as equal be to bring them in, 55
As you injurious were to bear them forth!
[_Exeunt._]

[SCENE IV.][694]

_Enter_ QUEEN [ISABELLA], _her son_, [PRINCE EDWARD,] KENT, Young MORTIMER, _and_ SIR JOHN [_of_ HAINAULT].

_Q. Isab._ 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 5
In civil broils make kin and countrymen
Slaughter themselves in others, and their sides
With their own weapons gor’d! But what’s the help?
Misgoverned kings are cause of all this wrack;
And, Edward, thou art one among them all, 10
Whose looseness hath betray’d thy land to spoil,
Who made the channels overflow with blood.
Of thine own people patron shouldst thou be,
But thou— 14

_Y. Mor._ Nay, madam, if you be a warrior.
You must not grow so passionate in speeches.
Lords,
Sith that we are by sufferance of Heaven
Arriv’d and armed in this prince’s right,
Here for our country’s cause swear we to him 20
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 wreak it with the sword;
That England’s queen in peace may repossess
Her dignities and honours; and withal 26
We may remove these flatterers from the king,
That havocs England’s wealth and treasury.

_Sir J._ Sound trumpets, my lord, and forward let us march.
Edward will think we come to flatter him. 30

_Kent._ I would he never had been flattered more. [_Exeunt._]

[SCENE V.][695]

_Enter_ KING EDWARD, BALDOCK, _and_ Young SPENCER, _flying about the stage_.

_Y. Spen._ Fly, fly, my lord! the queen is over-strong;
Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail.
Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe.

_K. Edw._ What! was I born to fly and run away,
And leave the Mortimers conquerors behind? 5
Give me my horse, and let’s reinforce our troops:
And in this bed of honour die with fame.

_Bald._ O no, my lord, this princely resolution
Fits not the time; away! we are pursu’d.
[_Exeunt._]

_Enter_ KENT, _with sword and target_.

_Kent._ This way he fled, but I am come too late. 10
Edward, alas! my heart relents for thee.
Proud traitor, Mortimer, why dost thou chase
Thy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword?
Vile 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 17
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 21
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! Bristow to Longshanks’ blood
Is false. Be not found single for suspect;[696] 26
Proud Mortimer pries near unto thy walks.

_Enter_ QUEEN [ISABELLA,] PRINCE [EDWARD,] Young MORTIMER, _and_ SIR JOHN _of_ HAINAULT.

_Q. Isab_. Successful battle gives the God of kings
To them that fight in right and fear his wrath.
Since then successfully we have prevailed, 30
Thanked 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 35
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 offence, if I may ask,
How will you deal with Edward in his fall? 40

_P. Edw._ Tell me, good uncle, what Edward do you mean?

_Kent._ Nephew, your father; I dare not call him king.

_Y. Mor._ My lord of Kent, what needs these questions?
’T is not in her controlment, nor in ours,
But as the realm and parliament shall please, 45
So shall your brother be disposed of.—
I like not this relenting mood in Edmund.
Madam, ’tis good to look to him betimes.
[_Aside to the_ QUEEN.]

_Q. Isab._ My lord, the Mayor of Bristol knows our mind.

_Y. Mor._ Yea, madam, and they scape not easily 50
That fled the field.

_Q. Isab._ Baldock is with the king,
A goodly chancellor, is he not, my lord?

_Sir J._ 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 the_ Elder SPENCER [_prisoner, and_ Attendants].

_Rice._ God save Queen Isabel, and her princely son! 55
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, 60
Revelled in England’s wealth and treasury.

_Q. Isab._ We thank you all.

_Y. Mor._ Your loving care in this
Deserveth princely favours and rewards.
But where’s the king and the other Spencer fled?

_Rice._ Spencer the son, created Earl of Gloucester, 65
Is with that smooth-tongu’d scholar Baldock gone
And shipt but late for Ireland with the king.

_Y. Mor._ [_Aside._] Some whirlwind fetch them back or sink them all!—
They shall be started thence, I doubt it not.

_P. Edw._ Shall I not see the king my father yet? 70

_Kent._ [_Aside._] Unhappy’s Edward, chas’d from England’s bounds.

_Sir J._ Madam, what resteth, why stand you in a muse?

_Q. Isab._ I rue my lord’s ill-fortune; but alas!
Care of my country call’d me to this war.

_Y. Mor._ Madam, have done with care and sad complaint; 75
Your king hath wrong’d 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.

_E. Spen._ Rebel is he that fights against his prince; 80
So fought not they that fought in Edward’s right.

_Y. Mor._ Take him away, he prates.
[_Exeunt_ Attendants _with the_ Elder SPENCER.]
You, Rice ap Howell,
Shall do good service to her majesty,
Being of countenance in your country here,
To follow these rebellious runagates. 85
We in meanwhile, madam, must take advice
How Baldock, Spencer, and their complices
May in their fall be followed to their end.
_Exeunt._

[SCENE VI.][697]

_Enter the_ Abbot, Monks, [KING] EDWARD, Young SPENCER, _and_ BALDOCK [_the three latter disguised_].

_Abbot._ Have you no doubt, my lord; have you no fear;
As silent and as careful we will be,
To keep your royal person safe with us,
Free from suspect and fell invasion
Of such as have your majesty in chase, 5
Yourself, and those your chosen company,
As danger of this stormy time requires.

_K. Edw._ Father, thy face should harbour no deceit.
O! hadst thou ever been a king, thy heart,
Pierced deeply with sense of my distress, 10
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? 15
Come, Spencer; come, Baldock, come, sit down by me;
Make trial now of that philosophy,
That in our famous nurseries of arts
Thou suck’dst from Plato and from Aristotle.
Father, this life contemplative is Heaven. 20
O that I might this life in quiet lead!
But we, alas! are chas’d; 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. 25

_Monks._ Your grace may sit secure, if none but we
Do wot of your abode.

_Y. Spen._ Not one alive; but shrewdly I suspect
A gloomy fellow in a mead below,
’A gave a long look after us, my lord; 30
And all the land I know is up in arms,
Arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate.

_Bald._ We were embark’d for Ireland, wretched we!
With awkward winds and [with] sore tempests driven
To fall on shore, and here to pine in fear 35
Of Mortimer and his confederates.

_K. Edw._ 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. 40
O might I never open these eyes again!
Never again lift up this drooping head!
O never more lift up this dying heart!

_Y. Spen._ Look up, my lord.—Baldock, this drowsiness
Betides no good; here even we are betray’d. 45

_Enter, with Welsh hooks._ RICE AP HOWELL, _a_ Mower, _and_ LEICESTER.

_Mow._ Upon my life, these be the men ye seek.

_Rice._ Fellow, enough.—My lord, I pray be short,
A fair commission warrants what we do.

_Leices._ The queen’s commission, urged by Mortimer;
What cannot gallant Mortimer with the queen?
Alas! see where he sits, and hopes unseen 51
T’ escape their hands that seek to reave his life.
Too true it is, _Quem dies vidit veniens superbum,
Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem_.[698]
But, Leicester, leave to grow so passionate. 55
Spencer and Baldock, by no other names,
I do arrest you of high treason here.
Stand not on titles, but obey th’ arrest;
’T is in the name of Isabel the queen.
My lord, why droop you thus? 60

_K. Edw._ O day, the last of all my bliss on earth!
Centre 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? 65
Here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine,
And take my heart in rescue of my friends!

_Rice._ Away with them!

_Y. Spen._ It may become thee yet
To let us take our farewell of his grace.

_Abbot._ My heart with pity earns[699] to see this sight,— 70
[_Aside._] A king to bear these words and proud commands.

_K. Edw._ Spencer, ah, sweet Spencer, thus then must we part?

_Y. Spen._ We must, my lord, so will the angry Heavens.

_K. Edw._ Nay, so will hell and cruel Mortimer;
The gentle Heavens have not to do in this. 75

_Bald._ 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.

_K. Edw._ In Heaven we may, in earth ne’er shall we meet: 79
And, Leicester, say, what shall become of us?

_Leices._ Your majesty must go to Killingworth.[700]

_K. Edw._ Must! it is somewhat hard, when kings _must_ go.

_Leices._ Here is a litter ready for your grace,
That waits your pleasure, and the day grows old.

_Rice._ As good be gone, as stay and be benighted. 85

_K. Edw._ 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, 90
And these must die under a tyrant’s sword.

_Rice._ My lord, be going; care not for these,
For we shall see them shorter by the heads.

_K. Edw._ Well, that shall be, shall be: part we must! 94
Sweet Spencer, gentle Baldock, part we must!
Hence feigned weeds! unfeigned are my woes:
[_Throws off his disguise._]
Father, farewell! Leicester, thou stay’st for me,
And go I must. Life, farewell, with my friends.
_Exeunt_ EDWARD _and_ LEICESTER.

_Y. Spen._ O! is he gone? Is noble Edward gone?
Parted from hence, never to see us more? 100
Rent, sphere of Heaven! and, fire, forsake thy orb!
Earth, melt to air! gone is my sovereign,
Gone, gone, alas! never to make return.

_Bald._ Spencer, I see our souls are fleeted hence;
We are depriv’d the sunshine of our life: 105
Make for a new life, man; throw up thy eyes,
And heart, and hand to Heaven’s immortal throne;
Pay nature’s debt with cheerful countenance;
Reduce we all our lessons unto this: 109
To die, sweet Spencer, therefore live we all;
Spencer, all live to die, and rise to fall.

_Rice._ Come, come, keep these preachments till you come to the place
appointed. You, and such as you are, have made wise work in England.
Will your lordships away? 115

_Mow._ Your lordship, I trust, will remember me?

_Rice._ Remember thee, fellow! what else?
Follow me to the town. [_Exeunt._]

[ACT V]

[SCENE I.][701]

_Enter_ KING [EDWARD,] LEICESTER, _the_ BISHOP [_of_ WINCHESTER] _for the crown_ [_and_ TRUSSEL].

_Leices._ Be patient, good my lord, cease to lament;
Imagine Killingworth Castle were your court,
And that you lay for pleasure here a space,
Not of compulsion or necessity.

_K. Edw._ Leicester, if gentle words might comfort me, 5
Thy speeches long ago had eas’d my sorrows;
For kind and loving hast thou always been.
The griefs of private men are soon allay’d,
But not of kings. The forest deer, being struck,
Runs to an herb that closeth up the wounds; 10
But, when the imperial lion’s flesh is gor’d,
He rends and tears it with his wrathful paw,
[And] highly scorning that the lowly earth
Should drink his blood, mounts up into the air.
And so it fares with me, whose dauntless mind
The ambitious Mortimer would seek to curb, 15
And that unnatural queen, false Isabel,
That thus hath pent and mew’d me in a prison;
For such outrageous passions cloy my soul,
As with the wings of rancour and disdain 20
Full often am I soaring up to Heaven,
To plain me to the gods against them both.
But when I call to mind I am a king,
Methinks I should revenge me of my wrongs,
That Mortimer and Isabel have done. 25
But what are kings, when regiment[702] is gone,
But perfect shadows in a sunshine day?
My nobles rule, I bear the name of king;
I wear the crown, but am controll’d by them,
By Mortimer, and my unconstant queen, 30
Who spots my nuptial bed with infamy;
Whilst I am lodg’d within this cave of care,
Where sorrow at my elbow still attends,
To company my heart with sad laments,
That bleeds within me for this strange exchange. 35
But tell me, must I now resign my crown,
To make usurping Mortimer a king?

_B. of Win._ Your grace mistakes; it is for England’s good,
And princely Edward’s right we crave the crown.

_K. Edw._ No, ’t is for Mortimer, not Edward’s head: 40
For he’s a lamb, encompassed by wolves,
Which in a moment will abridge his life.
But if proud Mortimer do wear this crown,
Heavens turn it to a blaze of quenchless fire!
Or like the snaky wreath of Tisiphon, 45
Engirt the temples of his hateful head;
So shall not England’s vine be perished,
But Edward’s name survives, though Edward dies.

_Leices._ My lord, why waste you thus the time away?
They stay your answer; will you yield your crown? 50

_K. Edw._ Ah, Leicester, weigh how hardly I can brook
To lose my crown and kingdom without cause;
To give ambitious Mortimer my right,
That like a mountain overwhelms my bliss, 54
In which extreme my mind here murdered is.
But what the heavens appoint, I must obey!
Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too;
[_Taking off the crown._]
Two kings in England cannot reign at once.
But stay awhile, let me be king till night,
That I may gaze upon this glittering crown; 60
So shall my eyes receive their last content,
My head, the latest honour due to it,
And jointly both yield up their wished right.
Continue ever thou celestial sun;
Let never silent night possess this clime: 65
Stand still you watches of the element;
All times and seasons, rest you at a stay,
That Edward may be still fair England’s king!
But day’s bright beam doth vanish fast away,
And needs I must resign my wished crown. 70
Inhuman creatures! nurs’d with tiger’s milk!
Why gape you for your sovereign’s overthrow!
My diadem I mean, and guiltless life.
See, monsters, see, I’ll wear my crown again!
[_He puts on the crown._]
What, fear you not the fury of your king? 75
But, hapless Edward, thou art fondly[703] led;
They pass[704] not for thy frowns as late they did,
But seek to make a new-elected king;
Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts,
Which thoughts are martyred with endless torments, 80
And in this torment comfort find I none,
But that I feel the crown upon my head;
And therefore let me wear it yet awhile.

_Trus._ My lord, the parliament must have present news,
And therefore say, will you resign or no? 85
_The_ KING _rageth_.

_K. Edw._ I’ll not resign, but whilst I live [be king.][705]
Traitors, be gone and join with Mortimer!
Elect, conspire, install, do what you will:—
Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries!

_B. of Win._ This answer we’ll return, and so farewell.
[_Going with_ TRUSSEL.] 90

_Leices._ Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair;
For if they go, the prince shall lose his right.

_K. Edw._ Call thou them back, I have no power to speak.

_Leices._ My lord, the king is willing to resign.

_B. of Win._ If he be not, let him choose. 95

_K. Edw._ O would I might, but heavens and earth conspire
To make me miserable! Here receive my crown;
Receive it? No, these innocent hands of mine
Shall not be guilty of so foul a crime.
He of you all that most desires my blood, 100
And will be call’d the murderer of a king,
Take it. What, are you mov’d? Pity you me?
Then send for unrelenting Mortimer,
And Isabel, whose eyes, being turn’d to steel,
Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear. 105
Yet stay, for rather than I’ll look on them,
Here, here! [_Gives the crown._]
Now, sweet God of Heaven,
Make me despise this transitory pomp,
And sit for aye enthronized in Heaven!
Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes, 110
Or if I live, let me forget myself.

_B. of Win._ My lord—

_K. Edw._ Call me not lord; away—out of my sight!
Ah, pardon me: grief makes me lunatic!
Let not that Mortimer protect my son; 115
More safety is there in a tiger’s jaws,
Than his embracements. Bear this to the queen,
Wet with my tears, and dried again with sighs;
[_Gives a handkerchief._]
If with the sight thereof she be not mov’d,
Return it back and dip it in my blood. 120
Commend me to my son, and bid him rule
Better than I. Yet how have I transgress’d,
Unless it be with too much clemency?

_Trus._ And thus most humbly do we take our leave. 124

_K. Edw._ Farewell;
[_Exeunt the_ BISHOP _of_ WINCHESTER _and_ TRUSSEL.]
I know the next news that they bring
Will be my death; and welcome shall it be;
To wretched men, death is felicity.

_Enter_ BERKELEY,[706] [_who gives a paper to_ LEICESTER].

_Leices._ Another post! what news brings he?

_K. Edw._ Such news as I expect—come, Berkeley, come,
And tell thy message to my naked breast. 130

_Berk._ My lord, think not a thought so villainous
Can harbour in a man of noble birth.
To do your highness service and devoir,
And save you from your foes, Berkeley would die.

_Leices._ My lord, the council of the queen commands 135
That I resign my charge.

_K. Edw._ And who must keep me now? Must you, my lord?

_Berk._ Ay, my most gracious lord; so ’t is decreed.

_K. Edw._ [_taking the paper._] By Mortimer, whose
name is written here! 139
Well may I rend his name that rends my heart! [_Tears it._]
This poor revenge has something eas’d my mind.
So may his limbs be torn, as is this paper!
Hear me, immortal Jove, and grant it too!

_Berk._ Your grace must hence with me to Berkeley straight.

_K. Edw._ Whither you will; all places are alike, 145
And every earth is fit for burial.

_Leices._ Favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in you.

_Berk._ Even so betide my soul as I use him.

_K. Edw._ Mine enemy hath pitied my estate,
And that’s the cause that I am now remov’d.

_Berk._ And thinks your grace that Berkeley will be cruel? 151

_K. Edw._ I know not; but of this am I assured,
That death ends all, and I can die but once.
Leicester, farewell!

_Leices._ Not yet, my lord; I’ll bear you on your way. _Exeunt._ 155

[SCENE II.][707]

_Enter_ QUEEN ISABELLA _and_ Young MORTIMER.

_Y. Mor._ Fair Isabel, now have we our desire;
The proud corrupters of the light-brain’d king
Have done their homage to the lofty gallows,
And he himself lies in captivity.
Be rul’d by me, and we will rule the realm. 5
In any case take heed of childish fear,
For now we hold an old wolf by the ears,
That, if he slip, will seize upon us both,
And gripe the sorer, being gript himself.
Think therefore, madam, that imports us much
To erect[708] your son with all the speed we may, 11
And that I be protector over him;
For our behoof will bear the greater sway
Whenas a king’s name shall be under writ.

_Q. Isab._ Sweet Mortimer, the life of Isabel,
Be thou persuaded that I love thee well, 16
And therefore, so the prince my son be safe,
Whom I esteem as dear as these mine eyes,
Conclude against his father what thou wilt,
And I myself will willingly subscribe. 20

_Y. Mar._ First would I hear news that he were depos’d,
And then let me alone to handle him.
_Enter_ Messenger.
Letters! from whence?

_Mess._ From Killingworth, my lord.

_Q. Isab._ How fares my lord the king?

_Mess._ In health, madam, but full of pensiveness, 24

_Q. Isab._ Alas, poor soul, would I could ease his grief!
[_Enter the_ BISHOP _of_ WINCHESTER _with the crown._]
Thanks, gentle Winchester. [_To the_ Messenger.]
Sirrah, be gone. [_Exit_ Messenger.]

_B. of Win._ The king hath willingly resign’d his crown.

_Q. Isab._ O happy news! send for the prince, my son.

_B. of Win._ Further, or this letter was seal’d,
Lord Berkeley came, 30
So that he now is gone from Killingworth;
And we have heard that Edmund laid a plot
To set his brother free; no more but so.
The lord of Berkeley is so pitiful
As Leicester that had charge of him before. 35

_Q. Isab._ Then let some other be his guardian.

_Y. Mor._ Let me alone, here is the privy seal.
[_Exit the_ BISHOP _of_ WINCHESTER.]
Who’s there?—Call hither Gurney and Matrevis.
[_To Attendants within._]
To dash the heavy-headed Edmund’s drift, 39
Berkeley shall be discharg’d, the king remov’d,
And none but we shall know where he lieth.

_Q. Isab._ But, Mortimer, as long as he survives,
What safety rests for us, or for my son?

_Y. Mor._ Speak, shall he presently be despatch’d and die?

_Q. Isab._ I would he were, so ’t were not by my means. 45

_Enter_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY.

_Y. Mor._ Enough.—
Matrevis, write a letter presently
Unto the lord of Berkeley from ourself
That he resign the king to thee and Gurney; 49
And when ’t is done, we will subscribe our name.

_Mat._ It shall be done, my lord.

_Y. Mor._ Gurney.

_Gur._ My lord.

_Y. Mor._ As thou intend’st to rise by Mortimer,
Who now makes Fortune’s wheel turn as he please,
Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop, 54
And neither give him kind word nor good look.

_Gur._ I warrant you, my lord.

_Y. Mor._ And this above the rest: because we hear
That Edmund casts[709] to work his liberty,
Remove him still from place to place by night,
Till at the last he come to Killingworth, 60
And then from thence to Berkeley back again;
And by the way, to make him fret the more,
Speak curstly to him, and in any case
Let no man comfort him; if he chance to weep,
But amplify his grief with bitter words. 65

_Mat._ Fear not, my lord, we’ll do as you command.

_Y. Mor._ So now away; post thitherwards amain.

_Q. Isab._ Whither goes this letter? To my lord the king?
Commend me humbly to his majesty,
And tell him that I labour all in vain 70
To ease his grief, and work his liberty;
And bear him this as witness of my love. [_Gives a ring._]

_Mat._ I will, madam. _Exit with_ GURNEY.

_Enter_ PRINCE [EDWARD,] _and_ KENT _talking with him_.

_Y. Mor._ Finely dissembled. Do so still, sweet queen.
Here comes the young prince with the Earl of Kent. 75

_Q. Isab._ Something he whispers in his childish ears.

_Y. Mor._ If he have such access unto the prince,
Our plots and stratagems will soon be dash’d.

_Q. Isab._ Use Edmund friendly, as if all were well.

_Y. Mor._ How fares my honourable lord of Kent? 80

_Kent._ In health, sweet Mortimer. How fares your grace?

_Q. Isab._ Well, if my lord your brother were enlarg’d.

_Kent._ I hear of late he hath depos’d himself.

_Q. Isab._ The more my grief.

_Y. Mor._ And mine.

_Kent._ [_Aside._] Ah, they do dissemble!

_Q. Isab._ Sweet son, come hither, I must talk with thee. 85

_Y. Mor._ You being his uncle, and the next of blood,
Do look, to be protector o’er the prince.

_Kent._ Not I, my lord; who should protect the son,
But she that gave him life? I mean the queen.

_P. Edw._ Mother, persuade me not to wear the crown: 90
Let him be king—I am too young to reign.

_Q. Isab._ But be content, seeing ’t is his highness’ pleasure.

_P. Edw._ Let me but see him first, and then I will.

_Kent._ Ay, do, sweet nephew.

_Q. Isab._ Brother, you know it is impossible.

_P. Edw._ Why, is he dead? 95

_Q. Isab._ No, God forbid!

_Kent._ I would those words proceeded from your heart.

_Y. Mor._ Inconstant Edmund, dost thou favour him,
That wast the cause of his imprisonment? 100

_Kent._ The more cause have I now to make amends.

_Y. Mor._ [_Aside to Q. Isab._] I tell thee, ’tis not meet that one
so false
Should come about the person of a prince.—
My lord, he hath betray’d the king his brother,
And therefore trust him not. 105

_P. Edw._ But he repents, and sorrows for it now.

_Q. Isab._ Come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me.

_P. Edw._ With you I will, but not with Mortimer.

_Y. Mor._ Why, youngling, ’sdain’st thou so of Mortimer?
Then I will carry thee by force away. 110

_P. Edw._ Help, uncle Kent! Mortimer will wrong me.

_Q. Isab._ Brother Edmund, strive not; we are his friends;
Isabel is nearer than the Earl of Kent.

_Kent._ Sister, Edward is my charge, redeem him.

_Q. Isab._ Edward is my son, and I will keep him. 115

_Kent._ Mortimer shall know that he hath wrong’d me!—
[_Aside._] Hence will I haste to Killingworth Castle,
And rescue aged Edward from his foes.
To be reveng’d on Mortimer and thee.

_Exeunt_ [_on one side_ QUEEN ISABELLA, PRINCE EDWARD, _and_ Young MORTIMER; _on the other_ KENT.]

[SCENE III.][710]

_Enter_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY [_and_ Soldiers,] _with_ KING [EDWARD].

_Mat._ My lord, be not pensive, we are your friends;
Men are ordain’d to live in misery.
Therefore come,—dalliance dangereth our lives.

_K. Edw._ Friends, whither must unhappy Edward go?
Will hateful Mortimer appoint no rest? 5
Must I be vexed like the nightly bird,
Whose sight is loathsome to all winged fowls?
When will the fury of his mind assuage?
When will his heart be satisfied with blood?
If mine will serve, unbowel straight, this breast,
And give my heart to Isabel and him; 11
It is the chiefest mark they level[711] at.

_Gur._ Not so my liege, the queen hath given this charge
To keep your grace in safety;
Your passions make your dolours to increase.

_K. Edw._ This usage makes my misery to increase. 16
But can my air of life continue long
When all my senses are annoy’d with stench?
Within a dungeon England’s king is kept,
Where I am starv’d for want of sustenance. 20
My daily diet is heart-breaking sobs,
That almost rents the closet of my heart.
Thus lives old Edward not reliev’d by any,
And so must die, though pitied by many.
O, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst, 25
And clear my body from foul excrements!

_Mat._ Here’s channel[712] water, as our charge is given.
Sit down, for we’ll be barbers to your grace.

_K. Edw._ Traitors, away! What, will you murder me,
Or choke your sovereign with puddle water? 30

_Gur._ No; but wash your face, and shave away your beard,
Lest you be known and so be rescued.

_Mat._ Why strive you thus? Your labour is in vain!

_K. Edw._ The wren may strive against the lion’s strength,
But all in vain: so vainly do I strive 35
To seek for mercy at a tyrant’s hand.
_They wash him with puddle water, and shave his beard away._
Immortal powers! that knows the painful cares
That wait upon my poor distressed soul,
O level all your looks upon these daring men,
That wrongs their liege and sovereign, England’s king! 40
O Gaveston, ’t is for thee I am wrong’d,
For me, both thou and both the Spencers died!
And for your sakes a thousand wrongs I’ll take.
The Spencers’ ghosts, wherever they remain, 44
Wish well to mine; then tush, for them I’ll die.

_Mat._ ’Twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity.
Come, come away; now put the torches out,
We’ll enter in by darkness to Killingworth.

_Enter_ KENT.

_Gur._ How now, who comes there?

_Mat._ Guard the king sure: it is the Earl of Kent. 50

_K. Edw._ O gentle brother, help to rescue me!

_Mat._ Keep them asunder; thrust in the king.

_Kent._ Soldiers, let me but talk to him one word.

_Gur._ Lay hands upon the earl for this assault.

_Kent._ Lay down your weapons, traitors! Yield the king! 55

_Mat._ Edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die.

_Kent._ Base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus?

_Gur._ Bind him and so convey him to the court.

_Kent._ Where is the court but here? Here is the king;
And I will visit him; why stay you me? 60

_Mat._ The court is where Lord Mortimer remains;
Thither shall your honour go; and so farewell.
_Exeunt_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY, _with_ KING EDWARD.

_Kent._ O miserable is that commonweal,
Where lords keep courts, and kings are lockt in prison!

_Sol._ Wherefore stay we? On, sirs, to the court! 65

_Kent._ Ay, lead me whither you will, even to my death,
Seeing that my brother cannot be releas’d. _Exeunt._

[SCENE IV.][713]

_Enter_ Young MORTIMER, _alone_.

_Y. Mor._ The king must die, or Mortimer goes down;
The commons now begin to pity him.
Yet he that is the cause of Edward’s death,
Is sure to pay for it when his son’s of age;
And therefore will I do it cunningly. 5
This letter, written by a friend of ours,
Contains his death, yet bids them save his life. [_Reads._]
“_Edwardum occidere nolite timere, bonum est:_
Fear not to kill the king, ’tis good he die.”
But read it thus, and that’s another sense: 10
“_Edwardum occidere nolite, timere bonum est:_
Kill not the king, ’tis good to fear the worst.”
Unpointed as it is, thus shall it go,
That, being dead, if it chance to be found,
Matrevis and the rest may bear the blame, 15
And we be quit that caus’d it to be done.
Within this room is lock’d the messenger
That shall convey it, and perform the rest;
And by a secret token that he bears,
Shall he be murdered when the deed is done.—
Lightborn, come forth! 21
[_Enter_ LIGHTBORN.]
Art thou as resolute as thou wast?

_Light._ What else, my lord? And far more resolute.

_Y. Mor._ And hast thou cast[714] how to accomplish it?

_Light._ Ay, ay, and none shall know which way he died. 25

_Y. Mor._ But at his looks, Lightborn, thou wilt relent.

_Light._ Relent! ha, ha! I use much to relent.

_Y. Mor._ Well, do it bravely, and be secret.

_Light._ You shall not need to give instructions;
’Tis not the first time I have kill’d a man. 30
I learn’d in Naples how to poison flowers;
To strangle with a lawn[715] thrust through the throat;
To pierce the windpipe with a needle’s point;
Or whilst one is asleep, to take a quill
And blow a little powder in his ears; 35
Or open his mouth and pour quicksilver down.
And yet I have a braver way than these.

_Y. Mor._ What’s that?

_Light._ Nay, you shall pardon me; none shall know my tricks.

_Y. Mor._ I care not how it is, so it be not spied. 40
Deliver this to Gurney and Matrevis. [_Gives letter._]
At every ten mile end thou hast a horse.
Take this; [_Gives money_] away! and never see me more.

_Light._ No?

_Y. Mor._ No; 45
Unless thou bring me news of Edward’s death.

_Light._ That will I quickly do. Farewell, my lord. [_Exit._]

_Y. Mor._ The prince I rule, the queen do I command,
And with a lowly congé to the ground,
The proudest lords salute me as I pass; 50
I seal, I cancel, I do what I will.
Fear’d am I more than lov’d;—let me be fear’d,
And when I frown, make all the court look pale.
I view the prince with Aristarchus’ eyes,
Whose looks were as a breeching to a boy. 55
They thrust upon me the protectorship,
And sue to me for that that I desire.
While at the council-table, grave enough,
And not unlike a bashful puritan,
First I complain of imbecility, 60
Saying it is _onus quam gravissimum_,[716]
Till being interrupted by my friends,
_Suscepi_ that _provinciam_[717] as they term it;
And to conclude, I am Protector now.
Now is all sure: the queen and Mortimer 65
Shall rule the realm, the king; and none rule us.
Mine enemies will I plague, my friends advance;
And what I list command who dare control?
_Major sum quam cui possit fortuna nocere._[718]
And that this be the coronation-day, 70
It pleaseth me, and Isabel the queen.
[_Trumpets within._]
The trumpets sound, I must go take my place.

_Enter the young_ KING, QUEEN [ISABELLA,] _the_ ARCHBISHOP [_of_ CANTERBURY,] Champion _and_ Nobles.

_A. of Cant._ Long live King Edward, by the grace of God
King of England and Lord of Ireland!

_Cham._ If any Christian, Heathen, Turk, or Jew, 75
Dares but affirm that Edward’s not true king,
And will avouch his saying with the sword,
I am the champion that will combat him.

_Y. Mor._ None comes, sound trumpets.
[_Trumpets sound._]

_K. Edw. Third._ Champion, here’s to thee.
[_Gives a purse._]

_Q. Isab._ Lord Mortimer, now take him to your charge. 80

_Enter_ Soldiers, _with_ KENT _prisoner_.

_Y. Mor._ What traitor have we there with blades and bills?

_Sol._ Edmund, the Earl of Kent.

_K. Edw. Third._ What hath he done?

_Sol._ ’A would have taken the king away perforce,
As we were bringing him to Killingworth.

_Y. Mor._ Did you attempt this rescue, Edmund? Speak. 85

_Kent._ Mortimer, I did; he is our king,
And thou compell’st this prince to wear the crown.

_Y. Mor._ Strike off his head! he shall have martial law.

_Kent._ Strike off my head! Base traitor, I defy thee!

_K. Edw. Third._ My lord, he is my uncle, and shall live. 90

_Y. Mor._ My lord, he is your enemy, and shall die.

_Kent._ Stay, villains!

_K. Edw. Third._ Sweet mother, if I cannot pardon him,
Entreat my Lord Protector for his life.

_Q. Isab._ Son, be content; I dare not speak a word. 95

_K. Edw. Third._ Nor I, and yet methinks I should command;
But, seeing I cannot, I’ll entreat for him—
My lord, if you will let my uncle live,
I will requite it when I come to age.

_Y. Mor._ ’T is for your highness’ good, and for the realm’s.— 100
How often shall I bid you bear him hence?

_Kent._ Art thou king? Must I die at thy command?

_Y. Mor._ At our command—Once more away with him.

_Kent._ Let me but stay and speak; I will not go.
Either my brother or his son is king, 105
And none of both them thirst for Edmund’s blood:
And therefore, soldiers, whither will you hale me?
Soldiers _hale_ KENT _away, and carry him to be beheaded_.

_K. Edw. Third._ What safety may I look for at his hands,
If that my uncle shall be murdered thus?

_Q. Isab._ Fear not, sweet boy, I’ll guard thee from thy foes; 110
Had Edmund liv’d, he would have sought thy death.
Come, son, we’ll ride a-hunting in the park.

_K. Edw. Third._ And shall my uncle Edmund ride with us?

_Q. Isab._ He is a traitor; think not on him; come. _Exeunt._

[SCENE V.][719]

_Enter_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY.

_Mat._ Gurney, I wonder the king dies not,
Being in a vault up to the knees in water,
To which the channels of the castle run,
From whence a damp continually ariseth,
That were enough to poison any man, 5
Much more a king brought up so tenderly.

_Gur._ And so do I, Matrevis: yesternight
I opened but the door to throw him meat,
And I was almost stifled with the savour.

_Mat._ He hath a body able to endure 10
More than we can inflict: and therefore now
Let us assail his mind another while.

_Gur._ Send for him out thence, and I will anger him.

_Mat._ But stay, who’s this?

_Enter_ LIGHTBORN.

_Light._ My Lord Protector greets you. [_Gives letter._]

_Gur._ What’s here? I know not how to construe it. 15

_Mat._ Gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce;[720]
“_Edwardum occidere nolite timere_,”
That’s his meaning.

_Light._ Know ye this token? I must have the king. [_Gives token._]

_Mat._ Ay, stay awhile, thou shalt have answer straight.— 20
[_Aside._] This villain’s sent to make away the king.

_Gur._ [_Aside._] I thought as much.

_Mat._ [_Aside._] And when the murder’s done,
See how he must be handled for his labour.
_Pereat iste!_[721] Let him have the king.— 24
What else? Here is the keys, this is the lake,[722]
Do as you are commanded by my lord.

_Light._ I know what I must do. Get you away.
Yet be not far off, I shall need your help;
See that in the next room I have a fire,
And get me a spit, and let it be red-hot. 30

_Mat._ Very well.

_Gur._ Need you anything besides?

_Light._ What else? A table and a feather-bed.

_Gur._ That’s all?

_Light._ Ay, ay; so, when I call you, bring it in.

_Mat._ Fear not thou that. 35

_Gur._ Here’s a light, to go into the dungeon.
[_Gives a light; and then exit with_ MATREVIS.]

_Light._ So now
Must I about this gear;[723] ne’er was there any
So finely handled as this king shall be. 39
For, here’s a place indeed, with all my heart!

_K. Edw._ Who’s there? What light is that?
Wherefore com’st thou?

_Light._ To comfort you, and bring you joyful news.

_K. Edw._ Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks.
Villain, I know thou com’st to murder me. 44

_Light._ To murder you, my most gracious lord!
Far is it from my heart to do you harm.
The queen sent me to see how you were used,
For she relents at this your misery:
And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears,
To see a king in this most piteous state? 50

_K. Edw._ Weep’st thou already? List awhile to me
And then thy heart, were it as Gurney’s is,
Or as Matrevis’, hewn from the Caucasus,
Yet will it melt, ere I have done my tale. 54
This dungeon where they keep me is the sink
Wherein the filth of all the castle falls.

_Light._ O villains!

_K. Edw._ And there in mire and puddle have I stood
This ten days’ space; and, lest that I should sleep.
One plays continually upon a drum. 60
They give me bread and water, being a king;
So that, for want of sleep and sustenance,
My mind’s distempered, and my body’s numb’d,
And whether I have limbs or no I know not. 64
O, would my blood dropp’d out from every vein,
As doth this water from my tattered robes.
Tell Isabel, the queen, I look’d not thus,
When for her sake I ran at tilt in France,
And there unhors’d the Duke of Cleremont.

_Light._ O speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart. 70
Lie on this bed, and rest yourself awhile.

_K. Edw._ These looks of thine can harbour nought but death:
I see my tragedy written in thy brows.
Yet stay awhile; forbear thy bloody hand,
And let me see the stroke before it comes, 75
That even then when I shall lose my life,
My mind may be more steadfast on my God.

_Light._ What means your highness to mistrust me thus?

_K. Edw._ What mean’st thou to dissemble with me thus?

_Light._ These hands were never stain’d with innocent blood, 80
Nor shall they now be tainted with a king’s.

_K. Edw._ Forgive my thought for having such a thought.
One jewel have I left; receive thou this. [_Giving jewel._]
Still fear I, and I know not what’s the cause,
But every joint shakes as I give it thee. 85
O, if thou harbour’st murder in thy heart,
Let this gift change thy mind, and save thy soul!
Know that I am a king: O, at that name
I feel a hell of grief! Where is my crown?
Gone, gone! and do I remain alive? 90

_Light._ You’re overwatch’d,[724] my lord; lie down and rest.

_K. Edw._ But that grief keeps me waking, I should sleep;
For not these ten days have these eye-lids clos’d.
Now as I speak they fall, and yet with fear
Open again. O wherefore sitt’st thou here? 95

_Light._ If you mistrust me, I’ll begone, my lord.

_K. Edw._ No, no, for if thou mean’st to murder me,
Thou wilt return again, and therefore stay.

_Light._ He sleeps.

_K. Edw._ [_waking._] O let me not die yet!
Stay, O stay a while! 100

_Light._ How now, my lord?

_K. Edw._ Something still buzzeth in mine ears,
And tells me if I sleep I never wake;
This fear is that which makes me tremble thus.
And therefore tell me, wherefore art thou come?

_Light._ To rid thee of thy life.—Matrevis, come! 106

[_Enter_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY.]

_K. Edw._ I am too weak and feeble to resist:—
Assist me, sweet God, and receive my soul!

_Light._ Run for the table.

_K. Edw._ O spare me, or despatch me in a trice.
[MATREVIS _brings in a table_.] 110

_Light._ So, lay the table down, and stamp on it,
But not too hard, lest that you bruise his body.
[KING EDWARD _is murdered_.]

_Mat._ I fear me that this cry will raise the town,
And therefore, let us take horse and away. 114

_Light._ Tell me, sirs, was it not bravely done?

_Gur._ Excellent well: take this for thy reward.
GURNEY _stabs_ LIGHTBORN [_who dies_].
Come, let us cast the body in the moat,
And bear the king’s to Mortimer our lord:
Away! _Exeunt_ [_with the bodies_].

[SCENE VI.][725]

_Enter_ Young MORTIMER _and_ MATREVIS.

_Y. Mor._ Is’t done, Matrevis, and the murderer dead?

_Mat._ Ay, my good lord; I would it were undone!

_Y. Mor._ Matrevis, if thou now growest penitent
I’ll be thy ghostly father; therefore choose,
Whether thou wilt be secret in this, 5
Or else die by the hand of Mortimer.

_Mat._ Gurney, my lord, is fled, and will, I fear,
Betray us both, therefore let me fly.

_Y. Mor._ Fly to the savages!

_Mat._ I humbly thank your honour. [_Exit._] 10

_Y. Mor._ As for myself, I stand as Jove’s huge tree,
And others are but shrubs compar’d to me.
All tremble at my name, and I fear none;
Let’s see who dare impeach me for his death!

_Enter_ QUEEN ISABELLA.

_Q. Isab._ Ah, Mortimer, the king my son hath news 15
His father’s dead, and we have murdered him!

_Y. Mor._ What if he have? The king is yet a child.

_Q. Isab._ Ay, but he tears his hair, and wrings his hands,
And vows to be reveng’d upon us both.
Into the council-chamber he is gone, 20
To crave the aid and succour of his peers.
Ay me! see here he comes, and they with him.
Now, Mortimer, begins our tragedy.

Enter KING [EDWARD THE THIRD], LORDS [_and_ Attendants].

_1 Lord._ Fear not, my lord, know that you are a king.

_K. Edw. Third._ Villain!— 25

_Y. Mor._ How now, my lord!

_K. Edw. Third._ Think not that I am frighted with thy words!
My father’s murdered through thy treachery;
And thou shalt die, and on his mournful hearse
Thy hateful and accursed head shall lie, 30
To witness to the world, that by thy means
His kingly body was too soon interr’d.

_Q. Isab._ Weep not, sweet son!

_K. Edw. Third._ Forbid me not to weep, he was my father;
And, had you lov’d him half so well as I, 35
You could not bear his death thus patiently.
But you, I fear, conspir’d with Mortimer.

_1 Lord._ Why speak you not unto my lord the king?

_Y. Mor._ Because I think scorn to be accused.
Who is the man dares say I murdered him? 40

_K. Edw. Third._ Traitor! in me my loving father speaks,
And plainly saith, ’t was thou that murd’redst him.

_Y. Mor._ But has your grace no other proof than this?

_E. Edw. Third._ Yes, if this be the hand of Mortimer.
[_Shewing letter._]

_Y. Mor._ [_Aside._] False Gurney hath betray’d me and himself. 45

_Q. Isab._ [_Aside._] I fear’d as much; murder cannot be hid.

_Y. Mor._ It is my hand; what gather you by this?

_K. Edw. Third._ That thither thou didst send a murderer.

_Y. Mor._ What murderer? Bring forth the man I sent.

_K. Edw. Third._ Ah, Mortimer, thou knowest that he is slain; 50
And so shalt thou be too.—Why stays he here?
Bring him unto a hurdle, drag him forth;
Hang him, I say, and set his quarters up;
But bring his head back presently to me.

_Q. Isab._ For my sake, sweet son, pity Mortimer! 55

_Y. Mor._ Madam, entreat not, I will rather die,
Than sue for life unto a paltry boy.

_K. Edw. Third._ Hence with the traitor! with the murderer!

_Y. Mor._ Base Fortune, now I see, that in thy wheel
There is a point, to which when men aspire, 60
They tumble headlong down: that point I touch’d,
And, seeing there was no place to mount up higher,
Why should I grieve at my declining fall?—
Farewell, fair queen; weep not for Mortimer,
That scorns the world, and, as a traveller, 65
Goes to discover countries yet unknown.

_K. Edw. Third._ What! suffer you the traitor to delay?
[Young MORTIMER _is taken away by_ 1 Lord _and_ Attendants.]

_Q. Isab._ As thou receivedst thy life from me,
Spill not the blood of gentle Mortimer!

_K. Edw. Third._ This argues that you spilt my father’s blood, 70
Else would you not entreat for Mortimer.

_Q. Isab._ I spill his blood? No!

_K. Edw. Third._ Ay, madam, you; for so the rumour runs.

_Q. Isab._ That rumour is untrue; for loving thee,
Is this report rais’d on poor Isabel. 75

_K. Edw. Third._ I do not think her so unnatural.

_2 Lord._ My lord, I fear me it will prove too true.

_K. Edw. Third._ Mother, you are suspected for his death,
And therefore we commit you to the Tower
Till farther trial may be made thereof; 80
If you be guilty, though I be your son,
Think not to find me slack or pitiful.

_Q. Isab._ Nay, to my death, for too long have I liv’d
Whenas my son thinks to abridge my days.

_K. Edw. Third._ Away with her, her words enforce these tears, 85
And I shall pity her if she speak again.

_Q. Isab._ Shall I not mourn for my beloved lord,
And with the rest accompany him to his grave?

_2 Lord._ Thus, madam, ’t is the king’s will you shall hence.

_Q. Isab._ He hath forgotten me; stay, I am his mother. 90

_2 Lord._ That boots not; therefore, gentle madam, go.