with some colour rise in armes For howsoeuer we haue borne it out T is treason to be vp against the king So shall we haue the people of our side Which for his fathers sake leane to the king But cannot brooke a night growne mushrump Such a one as my Lord of Cornewall is Should beare vs downe of the nobilitie And when the commons and the nobles ioyne T is not the king can buckler Gaueston Wee le pull him from the strongest hould he hath My lords if to performe this I be slack Thinke me as base a groome as Gaueston Lan. On that condition Lancaster will graunt War And so will Penbrooke and I Mor. se. And I Mor. iu. In this I count me highly gratified And Mortimer will rest at your commaund Qu. And when this fauour Isabell forgets Then let her liue abandond and forlorne But see in happie time my lord the king Hauing brought the Earle of Cornewall on his way Is new returnd this newes will glad him much Yet not so much as me I loue him more Then he can Gaueston would he lou'd me But halfe so much then were I treble blest Enter king Edward moorning Edw. Hee s gone and for his absence thus I moorne Did neuer sorrow go so neere my heart As dooth the want of my sweete Gaueston And could my crownes reuenew bring him back I would freelie giue it to his enemies And thinke I gaind hauing bought so deare a friend Qu. Harke how he harpes vpon his minion Edw. My heart is as an anuill vnto sorrow Which beates vpon it like the Cyclops hammers And with the noise turnes vp my giddie braine And makes me frantick for my Gaueston Ah had some bloudlesse furie rose from hell And with my kinglie scepter stroke me dead When I was forst to leaue my Gaueston Lan. Diablo what passions call you these Qu. My gratious lord I come to bring you newes Edw. That you haue parled with your Mortimer Qu. That Gaueston my Lord shal be repeald Edw. Repeald the newes is too sweet to be true Qu. But will you loue me if you finde it so Edw. If it be so what will not Edward do Qu. For Gaueston but not for Isabell Edw. For thee faire Queene if thou louest Gaueston I le hang a golden tongue about thy neck Seeing thou hast pleaded with so good successe Qu. No other iewels hang about my neck Then these my lord nor let me haue more wealth Then I may fetch from this ritch treasurie O how a kisse reuiues poore Isabell Edw. Once more receiue my hand and let this be A second mariage twixt thy selfe and me Qu. And may it prooue more happie then the first My gentle lord be these nobles faire That waite attendance for a gratious looke And on their knees salute your maiestie Edw. Couragious Lancaster imbrace thy king And as grosse vapours perish by the sunne Euen so let hatred with thy soueraigne smile Liue thou with me as my companion Lan. This salutation ouerioyes my heart Edw. Warwick shal be my chiefest counseller These siluer haires will more adorne my court Then gaudie silkes or rich imbrotherie Chide me sweete Warwick if I go astray War Slay me my lord when I offend your grace Edw. In sollemne triumphes and in publike showes Penbrooke shall beare the sword before the king Pen. And with this sword Penbrooke wil fight for you Edw. But wherefore walkes yong Mortimer aside Be thou commaunder of our royall fleete Or if that loftie office like thee not I make thee heere lord Marshall of the realme Mor. iu. My lord I le marshall so your enemies As England shall be quiet and you safe Edw. And as for you lord Mortimer of Chirke Whose great atchiuements in our forrain warre Deserues no common place nor meane reward Be you the generall of the leuied troopes That now are readie to assaile the Scots Mor. se. In this your grace hath highly honoured me For with my nature warre doth best agree Qu. Now is the king of England riche and strong Hauing the loue of his renowned peeres Edw. I Isabell nere was my heart so light Clarke of the crowne direct our warrant forth For Gaueston to Ireland Beamont flie As fast as Iris or Ioues Mercurie Beam It shal be done my gratious Lord Edw. Lord Mortimer we leaue you to your charge Now let vs in and feast it roiallie Against our friend the earle of Cornewall comes Wee le haue a generall tilt and turnament And then his mariage shal be solemnized For wot you not that I haue made him sure Vnto our cosin the earle of Glosters heire Lan. Such newes we heare my lord Edw. That day if not for him yet for my sake Who in the triumphe will be challenger Spare for no cost we will requite your loue Warwick In this or ought your highnes shall commaund vs Edward Thankes gentle Warwick come le ts in and reuell Exeunt Manent Mortimers Mor. se. Nephue I must to Scotland thou staiest here Leaue now to oppose thy selfe against the king Thou seest by nature he is milde and calme And seeing his minde so dotes on Gaueston Let him without controulement haue his will The mightiest kings haue had their minions Great Alexander loude Ephestion The conquering Hector for Hilas wept And for Patroclus sterne Achillis droopt And not kings onelie but the wisest men The Romaine Tullie loued Octauis Graue Socrates wilde Alcibiades Then let his grace whose youth is flexible And promiseth as much as we can wish Freely enioy that vaine light-headed earle For riper yeares will weane him from such toyes Mor. iu. Vnckle his wanton humor greeues not me But this I scorne that one so baselie borne Should by his soueraignes fauour grow so pert And riote it with the treasure of the realme While souldiers mutinie for want of paie He weares a lords reuenewe on his back And Midas like he iets it in the court With base outlandish cullions at his heeles Whose proud fantastick liueries make such show As if that Proteus god of shapes appearde I haue not seene a dapper lack so briske He weares a short Italian hooded cloake Larded with pearle and in his tuskan cap A iewell of more value then the crowne Whiles other walke below the king and he From out a window laugh at such as we And floute our traine and iest at our attire Vnckle t is this that makes me impatient Mor. se. But nephew now you see the king is changd Mor. iu. Then so am I and liue to do him seruice But whiles I haue a sword a hand a hart I will not yeeld to any such vpstart You know my minde come vnckle le ts away Exeunt Enter Spencer and Balduck Bald. Spencer seeing that our Lord th' earle of Glosters dead Which of the nobles dost thou meane to serue Spen. Not Mortimer nor any of his side Because the king and he are enemies Baldock learne this of me a factious lord Shall hardly do
mindes distempered and my bodies numde And whether I haue limmes or no I know not O would my bloud dropt out from euery vaine As doth this water from my tattered robes Tell Isabell the Queene I lookt not thus VVhen for her sake I ran at tilt in Fraunce And there vnhorste the duke of Cleremont Light O speake no more my lorde this breakes my heart Lie on this bed and rest your selfe a while Edw. These lookes of thine can harbor nought but death I see my tragedie written in thy browes Yet stay a while forbeare thy bloudie hande And let me see the stroke before it comes That and euen then when I shall lose my life My minde may be more stedfast on my God Light VVhat meanes your highnesse to mistrust me thus Edwa. What meanes thou to dissemble with me thus Light These handes were neuer stainde with innocent bloud Nor shall they now be tainted with a kings Edward Forgiue my thought for hauing such a thought One iewell haue I left receiue thou this Still feare I and I know not what 's the cause But euerie iointe shakes as I giue it thee O if thou harborst murther in thy hart Let this gift change thy minde and saue thy soule Know that I am a king oh at that name I feele a hell of greefe where is my crowne Gone gone and doe I remaine aliue Light Your ouer watchde my lord lie downe and rest Edw. But that greefe keepes me waking I shoulde sleepe For not these ten daies haue these eye lids closd Now as I speake they fall and yet with feare Open againe O wherefore sits thou heare Light If you mistrust me I le be gon my lord Edw. No no for if thou meanst to murther me Thou wilt returne againe and therefore stay Light He sleepes Edw. O let me not die yet stay O stay a while Light How now my Lorde Edw. Something still busseth in mine eares And tels me if I sleepe I neuer wake This feare is that which makes me tremble thus And therefore tell me wherefore art thou come Light To rid thee of thy life Matreuis come Edw. I am too weake and feeble to resist Assist me sweete God and receiue my soule Light Runne for the table Edw. O spare me or dispatche me in a trice Light So lay the table downe and stampe his body But not too hard least that you bruse his body Matreuis I feare mee that this crie will raise the towne And therefore let vs take horse and away Light Tell me sirs was it not braue lie done Gurn. Excellent well take this for thy rewarde Then Gurney stabs Lightborne Come let vs cast the body in the more And beare the kings to Mortimer our lord away Exeunt omnes Enter Mortimer and Matreuis Mortim. iu. I st done Matreuis and the murtherer dead Matr. I my good Lord I would it were vndone Mort. iu. Matreuis if thou now growest penitent I le be thy ghostly father therefore choose Whether thou wilt be secret in this Or else die by the hand of Mortimer Matr. Gurney my lord is fled and will I feare Betray vs both therefore let me slie Mort. iu. Flie to the Sauages Matr. I humblie thanke your honour Mor. iu. As for my selfe I stand as Ioues huge tree And others are but shrubs compard to me All tremble at my name and I feare none Le ts see who dare impeache me for his death Enter the Queene Queen A Mortimer the king my sonne hath news His father 's dead and we haue murdered him Mor. iu. What if he haue the king is yet a childe Queene I I but he teares his haire and wrings his handes And vowes to be reuengd vpon vs both Into the councell chamber he is gone To craue the aide and succour of his peeres Aye me see where he comes and they with him Now Mortimer begins our tragedie Enter the king with the lords Lords Feare not my lord know that you are a king King Villaine Mort. iu. How now my lord King Thinke not that I am frighted with thy words My father 's murdered through thy treacherie And thou shalt die and on his mournefull hearse Thy hatefull and accursed head shall lie To witnesse to the world that by thy meanes His kingly body was too soone interrde Qu. Weepe not sweete sonne King Forbid not me to weepe he was my father And had you lou'de him halfe so well as I You could not beare his death thus patiently But you I feare conspirde with Mortimer Lords Why speake you not vnto my lord the king Mor. iu. Because I thinke scorne to be accusde Who is the man dare say I murderedd him King Traitor in me my louing father speakes And plainely saith t was thou that murdredst him Mort. iu. But hath your grace no other proofe then this King Yes if this be the hand of Mortimer Mortim. iu. False Gurney hath betraide me and himselfe Queen I feard as much murther cannot be hid Mort. iu. T is my hand what gather you by this King That thither thou didst send a murtherer Mort. iu. What murtherer bring foorth the man I sent King A Mortimer thou knowest that he is slaine And so shalt thou be too why staies he heere Bring him vnto a hurdle drag him foorth Hang him I say and set his quarters vp But bring his head back presently to me Queen For my sake sweete sonne pittie Mortimer Mort. iu. Madam intreat not I will rather die Then sue for life vnto a paltrie boye King Hence with the traitor with the murderer Mort. iu. Base fortune now I see that in thy wheele There is a point to which when men aspire They tumble hedlong downe that point I touchte And seeing there was no place to mount vp higher Why should I greeue at my declining fall Farewell faire Queene weepe not for Mortimer That scornes the world and as a traueller Goes to discouer countries yet vnknowne King What suffer you the traitor to delay Queen As thou receiuedst thy life from me Spill not the bloud of gentle Mortimer King This argues that you spilt my fathers bloud Els would you not intreate for Mortimer Queen I spill his bloud no King I madam you for so the rumor runnes Queen That rumor is vntrue for louing thee Is this report raisde on poore Isabell King I doe not thinke her so vnnaturall Lords My lord I feare me it will prooue too true King Mother you are suspected for his death And therefore we commit you to the Tower Till further triall may be made thereof If you be guiltie though I be your sonne Thinke not to finde me slack or pitifull Qu Nay to my death for too long haue I liued When as my sonne thinkes to abridge my daies King Awaye with her her wordes inforce these teares And I shall pitie her if she speake againe Queen Shall I not moorne for my beloued lord And with the rest accompanie him to his graue Lords Thus madam t is the kings will you shall hence Quee. He hath forgotten me stay I am his mother Lords That bootes not therefore gentle madam goe Queen Then come sweete death and rid me of this greefe Lords My lord here is the head of Mortimer King Goe fetche my fathers hearse where it shall lie And bring my funerall robes accursed head Could I haue rulde thee then as I do now Thou hadst not hatcht this monstrous treacherie Heere comes the hearse helpe me to moorne my lords Sweete father heere vnto thy murdered ghost I offer vp this wicked traitors head And let these teares distilling from mine eyes Be witnesse of my greefe and innocencie FINIS Imprinted at London for William Ihones and are to be solde at his shop neere vnto Houlburne Conduit 1694
What Gaueston welcome kis not my hand Embrace me Gaueston as I do thee Why shouldst thou kneele Knowest thou not who I am Thy friend thy selfe another Gaueston Not Hilas was more mourned of Hercules Then thou hast beene of me since thy exile Gau. And since I went from hence no soule in hell Hath felt more torment then poore Gaueston Edw. I know it brother welcome home my friend Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire And that high minded earle of Lancaster I haue my wish in that I ioy thy sight And sooner shall the sea ore whelme my land Then beare the ship that shall transport thee hence I heere create thee Lord high Chamberlaine Cheefe Secretarie to the state and me Earle of Cornewall king and lord of Man Gauest. My lord these titles far exceed my worth Kent Brother the least of these may well suffice For one of greater birth then Gaueston Edw. Cease brother for I cannot brooke these words Thy woorth sweet friend is far aboue my guifts Therefore to equall it receiue my hart If for these dignities thou be enuied I le giue thee more for but to honour thee Is Edward pleazd with kinglie regiment Fearst thou thy person thou shalt haue a guard Wants thou gold go to my treasurie Wouldst thou be loude and fearde receiue my seale Saue or condemne and in our name commaund What so thy minde affectes or fancie likes Gaue. It shall suffice me to enioy your loue Which whiles I haue I thinke my selfe as great As Caesar riding in the Romaine streete With captiue kings at his triumphant Carre Enter the Bishop of Couentrie Edw. Whether goes my Lord of Couentrie so fast Bish. To celebrate your fathers exequies But is that wicked Gaueston returnd Edw. I priest and liues to be reuengd on thee That wert the onely cause of his exile Gaue. T is true and but for reuerence of these robes Thou shouldst not plod one foote beyond this place Bish. I did no more then I was bound to do And Gaueston vnlesse thou be reclaimd As then I did incense the parlement So will I now and thou shalt back to France Gaue. Sauing your reuerence you must pardon me Edw. Throwe of his golden miter rend his stole And in the channell christen him a new Kent Ah brother lay not violent hands on him For hee le complaine vnto the sea of Rome Gaue. Let him complaine vnto the sea of hell I le be reuengd on him for my exile Edw. No spare his life but seaze vpon his goods Be thou lord bishop and receiue his rents And make him serue thee as thy chaplaine I giue him thee here vse him as thou wilt Gaue. He shall to prison and there die in boults Edw. I to the tower the fleete or where thou wilt Bish. For this offence be thou accurst of God Edw. Whos 's there conueie this priest to the tower Bish. True true Edw. But in the meane time Gaueston away And take possession of his house and goods Come follow me and thou shalt haue my guarde To see it done and bring thee safe againe Gaue. What should a priest do with so faire a house A prison may be his holinesse Enter both the Mortimers Warwicke and Lancaster War T is true the Bishop is in the tower And goods and body giuen to Gaueston Lan. What will they tyrannize vpon the Church Ah wicked king accurssed Gaueston This ground which is corrupted with their steps Shall be their timeles sepulcher or mine Mor. iu. Wel let that peeuish Frenchmā guard him sure Vnlesse his brest be sword proofe he shall die Mor. se. How now why droops the earle of Lancaster Mor. iu. Wherfore is Guy of Warwicke discontent Lan. That villaine Gaueston is made an Earle Mortim. sen. An Earle War I and besides lord Chamberlaine of the realme And secretary to and lord of Man Mor. se. We may not nor we will not suffer this Mor. iu. Why post we not from hence to leuie men Lan. My lord of Cornewall now at euery worde And happie is the man whom he vouchsafes For vailing of his bonnet one good looke Thus arme in arme the king and he dooth marche Nay more the guarde vpon his lordship waites And all the court begins to flatter him War Thus leaning on the shoulder of the king He nods and scornes and smiles at those that passe Mor. se. Doth no man take exceptions at the slaue Lan. All stomack him but none dare speake a word Mor. iu. Ah that bewraies their basenes Lancaster Were all the Earles and Barons of my minde Wee le hale him from the bosome of the king And at the court gate hang the pessant vp Who swolne with venome of ambitious pride Will be the ruine of the realme and vs Enter the Bishop of Canterburie War Here comes my lord of Canterburies grace Lan. His countenance bewraies he is displeasd Bish. First were his sacred garments rent and torne Then laide they violent hands vpon him next Himselfe imprisoned and his goods asceasd This certifie the Pope away take horsse Lan. My lord will you take armes against the king Bish. What neede I God himselfe is vp in armes When violence is offered to the church Mor. iu. Then wil you ioine with vs that be his peeres To banish or behead that Gaueston Bish. VVhat els my lords for it concernes me neere The Bishoprick of Couentrie is his Enter the Queene Mor. iu. Madam whether walks your maiestie so fast Que. Vnto the forrest gentle Mortimer To liue in greefe and balefull discontent For now my lord the king regardes me not But dotes vpon the loue of Gaueston He claps his cheekes and hanges about his neck Smiles in his face and whispers in his eares And when I come he frownes as who should say Go whether thou wilt seeing I haue Gaueston Mor. se. Is it not straunge that he is thus bewitcht Mor. iu. Madam returne vnto the court againe That slie inueigling Frenchman wee le exile Or lose our liues and yet ere that day come The king shall lose his crowne for we haue power And courage to to be reuengde at full Bish. But yet lift not your swords against the king Lan. No but wee le lift Gaueston from hence War And war must be the meanes or hee le stay stil Queen Then let him stay for rather then my lord Shall be opprest by ciuill mutinies I wil endure a melancholie life And let him frollick with his minion Bish. My lords to eaze all this but heare me speake VVe and the rest that are his counsellers VVill meete and with a generall consent Confirme his banishment with our handes and seales Lan. VVhat we confirme the king will frustrate Mor. iu. Then may we lawfully reuolt from him War But say my lord where shall this meeting bee Bish. At the new temple Mor. iu. Content And in the meane time I le intreat you all To crosse to Lambeth and there stay with me Lan. Come then le ts away
Edw. I and t is likewise thought you fauour him Qu. Thus do you still suspect me without cause La. Sweet vnckle speake more kindly to the queene Gau. My lord dissemble with her speake her faire Edw. Pardon me sweet I forgot my selfe Qu. Your pardon is quicklie got of Isabell Edw. The yonger Mortimer is growne so braue That to my face he threatens ciuill warres Gau. VVhy do you not commit him to the tower Edw. I dare not for the people loue him well Gau. Why then wee le haue him priuilie made away Edw. VVould Lancaster and he had both carroust A bowle of poison to each others health But let them go and tell me what are these Lad. Two of my fathers seruants whilst he liu'de Mai t please your grace to entertaine them now Edw. Tell me where wast thou borne VVhat is thine armes Bald. My name is Baldock and my gentrie I fetcht from Oxford not from Heraldrie Edw. The fitter art thou Baldock for my turne VVaite on me and I le see thou shalt not want Bald. I humblie thanke your maiestie Edw. Knowest thou him Gaueston Gau. I my lord his name is Spencer he is well alied For my sake let him waite vpon your grace Scarce shall you finde a man of more desart Edw. Then Spencer waite vpon me for his sake I le grace thee with a higher stile ere long Spen. No greater titles happen vnto me Then to be fauoured of your maiestie Edw. Cosin this day shal be your mariage feast And Gaueston thinke that I loue thee well To wed thee to our neece the onely heire Vnto the Earle of Gloster late deceased Gau. I know my lord many will stomack me But I respect neither their loue nor hate Edw. The head-strong Barons shall not limit me He that I list to fauour shall be great Come le ts away and when the mariage ends Haue at the rebels and their complices Exeunt omnes Enter Lancaster Mortimer Warwick Penbrooke Kent Kent My lords of loue to this our natiue land I come to ioine with you and leaue the king And in your quarrell and the realmes behoofe VVill be the first that shall aduenture life Lan. I feare me you are sent of pollicie To vndermine vs with a showe of loue Warw. He is your brother therefore haue we cause To cast the worst and doubt of your reuolt Edm. Mine honor shal be hostage of my truth If that will not suffice farewell my lords Mor. iu. Stay Edmund neuer was Plantagenet False of his word and therefore trust we thee Pen. But what 's the reason you should leaue him now Kent I haue enformd the Earle of Lancaster Lan. And it sufficeth now my lords know this That Gaueston is secretlie arriude And here in Tinmoth frollicks with the king Let vs with these our followers scale the walles And sodenly surprize them vnawares Mor. iu. I le giue the onset War And I le follow thee Mor. iu. This tottered ensigne of my auncesters Which swept the desart shore of that dead sea Whereof we got the name of Mortimer Will I aduaunce vpon this castell walles Drums strike alarum raise them from their sport And ring aloude the knell of Gaueston Lanc. None be so hardie as to touche the King But neither spare you Gaueston nor his friends Exeunt Enter the king and Spencer to them Gaueston c. Edw. O tell me Spencer where is Gaueston Spen. I feare me he is slaine my gratious lord Edw. No here he comes now let them spoile and kill Flie flie my lords the earles haue got the holde Take shipping and away to Scarborough Spencer and I will post away by land Gau. O stay my lord they will not iniure you Edw. I will not trust them Gaueston away Gau. Farewell my Lord Edw. Ladie farewell Lad. Farewell sweete vnckle till we meete againe Edw. Farewell sweete Gaueston and farewell Neece Qu. No farewell to poore Isabell thy Queene Edw. Yes yes for Mortimer your louers sake Exeunt omnes manet Isabella Qu. Heauens can witnesse I loue none but you From my imbracements thus he breakes away O that mine armes could close this I le about That I might pull him to me where I would Or that these teares that drissell from mine eyes Had power to mollifie his stonie hart That when I had him we might neuer part Enter the Barons alarums Lan. I wonder how he scapt Mor. iu. Whos 's this the Queene Qu. I Mortimer the miserable Queene Whose pining heart her inward sighes haue blasted And body with continuall moorning wasted These hands are tir'd with haling of my lord From Gaueston from wicked Gaueston And all in vaine for when I speake him faire He turnes away and smiles vpon his minion Mor. iu. Cease to lament and tell vs where 's the king Qu. What would you with the king i st him you seek Lan. No madam but that cursed Gaueston Farre be it from the thought of Lancaster To offer violence to his soueraigne We would but rid the realme of Gaueston Tell vs where he remaines and he shall die Qu. Hee s gone by water vnto Scarborough Pursue him quicklie and he cannot scape The king hath left him and his traine is small War Forslowe no time sweet Lancaster le ts march Mor. How comes it that the king and he is parted Qu. That this your armie going seuerall waies Might be of lesser force and with the power That he intendeth presentlie to raise Be easilie supprest and therefore be gone Mor. Heere in the riuer rides a Flemish hoie Le ts all aboord and follow him amaine Lan. The wind that bears him hence wil fil our sailes Come come aboord t is but an houres sailing Mor. Madam stay you within this castell here Qu. No Mortimer I le to my lord the king Mor. Nay rather saile with vs to Scarborough Qu. You know the king is so suspitious As if he heare I haue but talkt with you Mine honour will be cald in question And therefore gentle Mortimer be gone Mor. Madam I cannot stay to answer you But thinke of Mortimer as he deserues Qu. So well hast thou deseru'de sweete Mortimer As Isaebell could liue with thee for euer In vaine I looke for loue at Edwards hand Whose eyes are fixt on none but Gaueston Yet once more I le importune him with praiers If he be straunge and not regarde my wordes My sonne and I will ouer into France And to the king my brother there complaine How Gaueston hath robd me of his loue But yet I hope my sorrowes will haue end And Gaueston this blessed day be slaine Exeunt Enter Gaueston pursued Gau. Yet lustie lords I haue escapt your handes Your threats your larums and your hote pursutes And though deuorsed from king Edwards eyes Yet liueth Pierce of Gaueston vnsurprizd Breathing in hope malgrado all your beards That muster rebels thus against your king To see his royall soueraigne once againe Enter the Nobles War Vpon him souldiers take
away his weapons Mor. Thou proud disturber of thy countries peace Corrupter of thy king cause of these broiles Base flatterer yeeld and were it not for shame Shame and dishonour to a souldiers name Vpon my weapons point here shouldst thou fall And welter in thy goare Lan. Monster of men that like the Greekish strumpet Traind to armes and bloudie warres So many valiant knights Looke for no other fortune wretch then death Kind Edward is not heere to buckler thee War Lancaster why talkst thou to the slaue Go souldiers take him hence For by my sword his head shall off Gaueston short warning shall serue thy turne It is our countries cause That here seuerelie we will execute Vpon thy person hang him at a bough Gau. My Lord War Souldiers haue him away But for thou wert the fauorit of a King Thou shalt haue so much honor at our hands Gau. I thanke you all my lords then I perceiue That heading is one and hanging is the other And death is all Enter earle of Arundell Lan. How now my lord of Arundell Arun. My lords king Edward greetes you all by me War Arundell say your message Aru. His maiesty hearing that you had takē Gaueston Intreateth you by me yet but he may See him before he dies for why he saies And sends you word he knowes that die he shall And if you gratifie his grace so farre He will be mindfull of the curtesie Warw. How now Gau. Renowmed Edward how thy name Reuiues poore Gaueston War No it needeth not Arundell we will gratifie the king In other matters he must pardon vs in this Souldiers away with him Gauest. Why my Lord of VVarwicke Will not these delaies beget my hopes I know it lords it is this life you aime at Yet graunt king Edward this Mor. iu. Shalt thou appoint what we shall graunt Souldiers away with him Thus wee le gratifie the king Wee le send his head by thee let him bestow His teares on that for that is all he gets Of Gaueston or else his sencelesse trunck Lan. Not so my Lord least he bestow more cost In burying him then he hath euer earned Arun. My lords it is his maiesties request And in the honor of a king he sweares He will but talke with him and send him backe War When can you tell Arundell no we wot He that the care of realme remits And driues his nobles to these exigents For Gaueston will if he zease him once Violate any promise to possesse him Arun. Then if you will not trust his grace in keepe My lords I will be pledge for his returne Mor. iu. It is honourable in thee to offer this But for we know thou art a noble gentleman We will not wrong thee so To make away a true man for a theefe Gaue. How meanst thou Mortimer that is ouer base Mor. Away base groome robber of kings renowme Question with thy companions and thy mates Pen. My lord Mortimer and you my lords each one To gratifie the kings request therein Touching the sending of this Gaueston Because his maiestie so earnestlie Desires to see the man before his death I will vpon mine honor vndertake To carrie him and bring him back againe Prouided this that you my lord of Arundell Will ioyne with me War Penbrooke what wilt thou do Cause yet more bloudshed is it not enough That we haue taken him but must we now Leaue him on had-I wist and let him go Pen. My lords I will not ouer wooe your honors But if you dare trust Penbrooke with the prisoner Vpon mine oath I will returne him back Arun. My lord of Lancaster what say you in this Lan. Why I say let him go on Penbrookes word Pen. And you lord Mortimer Mor. iu. How say you my lord of Warwick War Nay do your pleasures I know how t will prooue Pen. Then giue him me Gau. Sweete soueraigne yet I come To see thee ere I die Warw. Yet not perhaps If Warwickes wit and policie preuaile Mor. iu. My lord of Penbrooke we deliuer him you Returne him on your honor sound away Exeunt Manent Penbrooke Mat. Gauest Penbrookes men foure souldiers Pen. My Lord you shall go with me My house is not farre hence out of the way A little but our men shall go along We that haue prettie wenches to our wiues Sir must not come so neare and balke their lips Mat. T is verie kindlie spoke my lord of Penbrooke Your honor hath an adamant of power To drawe a prince Pen. So my lord come hether Iames I do commit this Gaueston to thee Be thou this night his keeper in the morning We will discharge thee of thy charge be gon Gau. Vnhappie Gaueston whether goest thou now Exit cum seruis Pen Horse boy My lord wee le quicklie be at Cobham Exeunt ambo Enter Gaueston moorning and the earle of Penbrookes men Gaue. O treacherous Warwicke thus to wrong thy friend Iames. I see it is your life these armes pursue Gau. Weaponles must I fall and die in bands O must this day be period of my life Center of all my blisse and yee be men Speede to the king Enter Warwicke and his companie War My lord of Penbrookes men Striue you no longer I will haue that Gaueston Iam. Your lordship doth dishonor to your selfe And wrong our lord your honorable friend War No Iames it is my countries cause I follow Goe take the villaine soldiers come away Wee l make quick worke cōmend me to your maister My friend and tell him that I watcht it well Come let thy shadow parley with king Edward Gau. Treacherous earle shall I not see the king War The king of heauen perhaps no other king Away Exeunt Warwike and his men with Gauest Manet Iames cum caeteris Come fellowes it booted not for vs to striue We will in hast go certifie our Lord Exeunt Enter king Edward and Spencer with Drummes and Fifes Edw. I long to heare an answer from the Barons Touching my friend my deerest Gaueston Ah Spencer not the riches of my realme Can ransome him ah he is markt to die I know the malice of the yonger Mortimer VVarwick I know is roughe and Lancaster Inexorable and I shall neuer see My louely Pierce my Gaueston againe The Barons ouerbeare me with their pride Spencer Were I king Edward Englands soueraigne Sonne to the louelie Elenor of Spaine Great Edward Longshankes issue would I bear These braues this rage and suffer vncontrowld These Barons thus to beard me in my land In mine owne realme my lord pardon my speeche Did you retaine your fathers magnanimitie Did you regard the honor of your name You would not suffer thus your maiestie Be counterbuft of your nobilitie Strike off their heads and let them preach on poles No doubt such lessons they will teach the rest As by their preachments they will profit much And learne obedience to their lawfull king Edw. Yea gentle Spencer we haue beene too milde Too kinde
you go with your friends And shake off all our fortunes equallie Prin. So pleaseth the Queene my mother me it likes The king of England nor the court of Fraunce Shall haue me from my gratious mothers side Till I be strong enough to breake a staffe And then haue at the proudest Spencers head Sir Iohn Well said my lord Qu. Oh my sweet hart how do I mone thy wrongs Yet triumphe in the hope of thee my ioye Ah sweete sir Iohn euen to the vtmost verge Of Europe or the shore of Tanaise Will we with thee to Henolt so we will The Marques is a noble Gentleman His grace I dare presume will welcome me But who are these Enter Edmund and Mortimer Edm. Madam long may you liue Much happier then your friends in England do Qu. Lord Edmund and lord Mortimer aliue Welcome to Fraunce the newes was heere my lord That you were dead or very neare your death Mor. iu. Lady the last was truest of the twaine But Mortimer reserude for better hap Hath shaken off the thraldome of the tower And liues t' aduance your standard good my lord Prin. How meane you and the king my father liues No my lord Mortimer not I I trow Qu. Not sonne why not I would it were no worse But gentle lords friendles we are in Fraunce Mor. iu. Mounsier le Grand a noble friend of yours Tould vs at our arriuall all the newes How hard the nobles how vnkinde the king Hath shewed himself but madam right makes roome Where weapons want and though a many friends Are made away as Warwick Lancaster And others of our partie and faction Yet haue we friends assure your grace in England Would cast vp cappes and clap their hands for ioy To see vs there appointed for our foes Edm. Would all were well and Edward well reclaimd For Englands honor peace and quietnes Mort. But by the sword my lord it must be deseru'd The king will nere forsake his flatterers S. Ioh. My Lords of England sith the vngentle king Of Fraunce refuseth to giue aide of armes To this distressed Queene his sister heere Go you with her to Henolt doubt yee not We will finde comfort money men and friends Ere long to bid the English king a base How say yong Prince what thinke you of the match Prin. I thinke king Edward will out run vs all Qu. Nay soune not so and you must not discourage Your friends that are so forward in your aide Edm. Sir Iohn of Henolt pardon vs I pray These comforts that you giue our wofull queene Binde vs in kindenes all at your commaund Qu. Yea gentle brother and the God of heauen Prosper your happie motion good sir Iohn Mor. iu. This noble gentleman forward in armes Was borne I see to be our anchor hold Sir Iohn of Henolt be it thy renowne That Englands Queene and nobles in distresse Haue beene by thee restored and comforted S. Iohn Madam along and you my lord with me That Englands peeres may Henolts welcome see Enter the king Matr. the two Spencers with others Edw. Thus after many threats of wrathfull warre Triumpheth Englands Edward with his friends And triumph Edward with his friends vncontrould My lord of Gloster do you heare the newes Spen. iu. What newes my lord Edw. Why man they say there is great execution Done through the realme my lord of Arundell You haue the note haue you not Matr. From the lieutenant of the tower my lord Edw. I pray let vs see it what haue we there Read it Spencer Spencer reads their names Why so they barkt a pace a month a goe Now on my life thei le neither barke nor bite Now sirs the newes from Fraunce Gloster I trowe The lords of Fraunce loue Englands gold so well As Isabell gets no aide from thence What now remaines haue you proclaimed my lord Reward for them can bring in Mortimer Spen. iu. My lord we haue and if he be in England A will be had ere long I doubt it not Edw. If doost thou say Spencer as true as death He is in Englands ground our port-maisters Are not so careles of their kings commaund Enter a Poaste How now what newes with thee from whence come these Post Letters my lord and tidings foorth of Fraunce To you my lord of Gloster from Lewne Edward Reade Spencer reades the letter My dutie to your honor promised c. I haue according to instructions in that behalfe dealt with the king of Fraunce his lords and effected that the Queene all discontented and discomforted is gone whither if you aske with sir Iohn of Henolt brother to the Marquesse into Flaunders with them are gone lord Edmund and the lord Mortimer hauing in their company diuers of your nation and others and as constant report goeth they intend to giue king Edward battell in England sooner then he can looke for them this is all the newes of import Your honors in all seruice Lewne Edw. A villaines hath that Mortimer escapt With him is Edmund gone associate And will sir Iohn of Henolt lead the round Welcome a Gods name Madam and your sonne England shall welcome you and all your route Gallop a pace bright Phoebus through the skie And duskie night in rustie iron carre Betweene you both shorten the time I pray That I may see that most desired day When we may meet these traitors in the field Ah nothing greeues me but my little boye Is thus misled to countenance their ils Come friends to Bristow there to make vs strong And windes as equall be to bring them in As you iniurious were to beare them foorth Enter the Queene her sonne Edmund Mortimer and sir Iohn Qu. Now lords our louing friends and countrimen Welcome to England all with prosperous windes Our kindest friends in Belgia haue we left To cope with friends at home a heauie case When force to force is knit and sword and gleaue In ciuill broiles makes kin and country men Slaughter themselues in others and their sides With their owne weapons gorde but what 's the helpe Misgouerned kings are cause of all this wrack And Edward thou art one among them all Whose loosnes hath betrayed thy land to spoyle And made the channels ouerflow with blood Of thine own people patrō shouldst thou be but thou Mor. iu. Nay madam if you be a warriar Ye must not grow so passionate in speeches Lords sith that we are by sufferance of heauen Arriude and armde in this princes right Heere for our countries cause sweare we to him All homage fealtie and forwardnes And for the open wronges and iniuries Edward hath done to vs his Queene and land We come in armes to wrecke it with the swords That Englands queene in peace may reposesse Her dignities and honors and withall We may remooue these flatterers from the king That hauocks Englands wealth and treasurie S. Io. Sound trūpets my lord forward let vs martch Edward will thinke we come to flatter him Edm. I would he
to them but now haue drawne our sword And if they send me not my Gaueston Wee le steele it on their crest and powle their tops Bald. This haught resolue becomes your maiestie Not to be tied to their affection As though your highnes were a schoole boy still And must be awde and gouernd like a child Enter Hugh Spencer an old man father to the yong Spencer with his trunchion and soldiers Spen. pa. Long liue my soueraigne the noble Edward In peace triumphant fortunate in warres Edw. Welcome old man comst thou in Edwards aide Then tell thy prince of whence and what thou art Spen. pa. Loe with a band of bowmen and of pikes Browne bils and targetiers 400 strong Sworne to defend king Edwards royall right I come in person to your maiestie Spencer the father of Hugh Spencer there Bound to your highnes euerlastinglie For fauors done in him vnto vs all Edw. Thy father Spencer Spen. filius True and it like your grace That powres in lieu of all your goodnes showne His life my lord before your princely feete Edw. Welcome ten thousand times old man againe Spencer this loue this kindnes to thy King Argues thy noble minde and disposition Spencer I heere create thee earle of Wilshire And daily will enrich thee with our fauour That as the sun-shine shall reflect ore thee Beside the more to manifest our loue Because we heare Lord Bruse dooth sell his land And that the Mortimers are in hand withall Thou shalt haue crownes of vs t' out the Barons And Spenser spare them not but lay it on Souldier 's a largis and thrice welcome all Spen. My lord here comes the Queene Enter the Queene and her sonne and Lewne a Frenchman Edw. Madam what newes Qu. Newes of dishonor lord and discontent Our friend Lewne faithfull and full of trust Informeth vs by letters and by words That lord Valoyes our brother king of Fraunce Because your highnesse hath beene slack in homage Hath seazed Normandie into his hands These be the letters this the messenger Edw. Welcome Lewne tush Sib if this be all Valoys and I will soone be friends againe But to my Gaueston shall I neuer see Neuer behold thee now Madam in this matter We will employ you and your little sonne You shall go parley with the king of Fraunce Boye see you beare you brauelie to the king And do your message with a maiestie Prin. Commit not to my youth things of more waigh Then fits a prince so yong as I to beare And feare not lord and father heauens great beames On Atlas shoulder shall not lie more safe Then shall your charge committed to my trust Qu. A boye this towardnes makes thy mother feare Thou art not markt to many daies on earth Edw. Madam we will that you with speed be shipt And this our sonne Lewne shall follow you With all the hast we can dispatch him hence Choose of our lords to beare you companie And go in peace leaue vs in warres at home Qu. Vnnatural wars where subiects braue their king God end them once my lord I take my leaue To make my preparation for Fraunce Enter lord Matre Edw. What lord Matre dost thou come alone Mat. Yea my good lord for Gaueston is dead Edw. Ah traitors haue they put my friend to death Tell me Matre died he ere thou camst Or didst thou see my friend to take his death Matr. Neither my lord for as he was surprizd Begirt with weapons and with enemies round I did your highnes message to them all Demanding him of them entreating rather And said vpon the honour of my name That I would vndertake to carrie him Vnto your highnes and to bring him back Edw. And tell me would the rebels denie me that Spen. Proud recreants Edw. Yea Spencer traitors all Matr. I found them at the first inexorable The earle of Warwick would not bide the hearing Mortimer hardly Penbrooke and Lancaster Spake least and when they flatly had denyed Refusing to receiue me pledge for him The earle of Penbrooke mildlie thus bespake My lords because our soueraigne sends for him And promiseth he shall be safe returnd I will this vndertake to haue him hence And see him redeliuered to your hands Edw. Well and how fortunes that he came not Spen. Some treason or some villanie was cause Mat. The earle of Warwick seazde him on his way For being deliuered vnto Penbrookes men Their lord rode home thinking his prisoner safe But ere he came Warwick in ambush laie And bare him to his death and in a trenche Strake off his head and marcht vnto the campe Spen. A bloudie part flatly against law of armes Edw. O shall I speake or shall I sigh and die Spen. My lord referre your vengeance to the sword Vpon these Barons harten vp your men Let them not vnreuengd murther your friends Aduaunce your standard Edward in the field And marche to sire them from their starting holes Edward kneeles and saith By earth the common mother of vs all By heauen and all the moouing orbes thereof By this right hand and by my fathers sword And all the honors longing to my crowne I will haue heads and liues for him as many As I haue manors castels townes and towers Tretcherous Warwicke traiterous Mortimer If I be Englands king in lakes of gore Your headles trunkes your bodies will I traile That you may drinke your fill and quaffe in bloud And staine my roiall standard with the same That so my bloudie colours may suggest Remembrance of reuenge immortallie On your accursed traiterous progenie You villaines that haue slaine my Gaueston And in this place of honor and of trust Spencer sweet Spencer I adopt thee heere And meerely of our loue we do create thee Earle of Gloster and lord Chamberlaine Despite of times despite of enemies Spen. My lord here 's is a messenger from the Barons Desires accesse vnto your maiestie Edw. Admit him neere Enter the Herald from the Barons with his coate of armes Messen. Long liue king Edward Englands lawful lord Edw. So wish not they I wis that sent thee hither Thou comst from Mortimer and his complices A ranker route of rebels neuer was Well say thy message Messen. The Barons vp in armes by me salute Your highnes with long life and happines And bid me say as plainer to your grace That if without effusion of bloud You will this greefe haue ease and remedie That from your princely person you remooue This Spencer as a putrifying branche That deads the royall vine whose golden leaues Empale your princelie head your diadem Whose brightnes such pernitious vpstarts dim Say they and louinglie aduise your grace To cherish vertue and nobilitie And haue old seruitors in high esteeme And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers This graunted they their honors and their liues Are to your highnesse vowd and consecrate Spen. A traitors will they still display their pride Edw. Away tarrie no answer but be gon Rebels will