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
neuer had bin flattered more Enter the King Baldock and Spencer the sonne flying about the stage Spe. Fly fly my Lord the Queene is ouerstrong Her friends doe multiply and yours doe fayle Shape we our course to Ireland there to breath Edw. What was I borne to flye and runne away And leaue the Mortimers conquerers behind Giue me my horse and le ts r'enforce our troupes And in this bed of honor die with fame Bal. O no my lord this princely resolution Fits not the time away we are pursu'd Edmund alone with a sword and target Edm. This way he fled but I am come too late Edward alas my hart relents for thee Proud traytor Mortimer why doost thou chase Thy lawfull king thy soueraigne with thy sword Vilde wretch and why hast thou of all vnkinde Borne armes against thy brother and thy king Raigne showers of vengeance on my cursed head Thou God to whom in iustice it belongs To punish this vnnaturall reuolt Edward this Mortimer aimes at thy life O fly him then but Edmund calme this rage Dissemble or thou diest for Mortimer And Isabell doe kisse while they conspire And yet she beares a face of loue forsooth Fie on that loue that hatcheth death and hate Edmund away Bristow to Longshankes blood Is false be not found single for suspect Proud Mortimer pries neare into thy walkes Enter the Queene Mortimer the young Prince and Sir Iohn of Henolt Qu. Succesfull battells giues the God of kings To them that fight in right and feare his wrath Since then succesfully we haue preuayled Thankes be heauens great architect and you Ere farther we proceede my noble lordes We heere create our welbeloued sonne Of loue and care vnto his royall person Lord warden of the realme and sith the fates Haue made his father so infortunate Deale you my lords in this my louing lords As to your wisdomes fittest seemes in all Edm. Madam without offence if I may aske How will you deale with Edward in his fall Prince Tell me good vnckle what Edward doe you meane Edm. Nephew your father I dare not call him king Mor. My lord of Kent what needes these questions T is not in her controulment nor in ours But as the realme and parlement shall please So shall your brother be disposed of I like not this relenting moode in Edmund Madam t is good to looke to him betimes Qu. My lord the Maior of Bristow knows our mind Mor. Yea madam and they scape not easilie That fled the feeld Qu. Baldock is with the king A goodly chauncelor is he not my lord S. Ioh. So are the Spencers the father and the sonne Edm. This Edward is the ruine of the realme Enter Rice ap Howell and the Maior of Bristow with Spencer the father Rice God saue Queene Isabell her princely sonne Madam the Maior and Citizens of Bristow In signe of loue and dutie to this presence Present by me this traitor to the state Spencer the father to that wanton Spencer That like the lawles Catiline of Rome Reueld in Englands wealth and treasurie Qu. We thanke you all Mor. iu. Your louing care in this Deserueth princelie fauors and rewardes But where 's the king and the other Spencer fled Rice Spencer the sonne created earle of Gloster Is with that smoothe toongd scholler Baldock gone And shipt but late for Ireland with the king Mort. iu. Some whirle winde fetche them backe or sincke them all They shal be started thence I doubt it not Prin. Shall I not see the king my father yet Edmund Vnhappie Edward chaste from Englands bounds S. Ioh. Madam what resteth why stand ye in a muse Qu. I rue my lords ill fortune but alas Care of my countrie cald me to this warre Mort. Madam haue done with care sad complaine Your king hath wrongd your countrie and himselfe And we must seeke to right it as we may Meane while haue hence this rebell to the blocke Your lordship cannot priuiledge your head Spen. pa. Rebell is he that fights against his prince So fought not they that fought in Edwards right Mort. Take him away he prates you Rice ap howell Shall do good seruice to her Maiestie Being of countenance in your countrey here To follow these rebellious runnagates We in meane while madam must take aduise How Baldocke Spencer and their complices May in their fall be followed to their end Exeunt omnes Enter the Abbot Monkes Edward Spencer and Baldocke Abbot Haue you no doubt my Lorde haue you no feare As silent and as carefull will we be To keepe your royall person safe with vs Free from suspect and fell inuasion Of such as haue your maiestie in chase Your selfe and those your chosen companie As daunger of this stormie time requires Edwa. Father thy face should harbor no deceit O hadst thou euer beene a king thy hart Pierced deeply with sence of my distresse Could not but take compassion of my state Stately and proud in riches and in traine Whilom I was powerfull and full of pompe But what is he whome rule and emperie Haue not in life or death made miserable Come Spencer come Baldocke come sit downe by me Make triall now of that philosophie That in our famous nurseries of artes Thou suckedst from Plato and from Aristotle Father this life contemplatiue is heauen O that I might this life in quiet lead But we alas are chaste and you my friends Your liues and my dishonor they pursue Yet gentle monkes for treasure golde nor fee Do you betray vs and our companie Monks Your grace may sit secure if none but wee doe wot of your abode Spen. Not one aliue but shrewdly I suspect A gloomie fellow in a meade belowe A gaue a long looke after vs my lord And all the land I know is vp in armes Armes that pursue our liues with deadly hate Bald. We were imbarkt for Ireland wretched we With awkward windes and sore tempests driuen To fall on shoare and here to pine in feare Of Mortimer and his confederates Edw. Mortimer who talkes of Mortimer Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer That bloudy man good father on thy lap Lay I this head laden with mickle care O might I neuer open these eyes againe Neuer againe lift vp this drooping head O neuer more lift vp this dying hart Spen. son Looke vp my lord Baldock this drowsines Betides no good here euen we are betraied Enter with Welch hookes Rice vp Howell a Mower and the Earle of Leicester Mower Vpon my life those be the men ye see Rice Fellow enough my lord I pray be short A faire commission warrants what we do Lei. The Queenes commission vrgd by Mortimer What cannot gallant Mortimer with the Queene Alas see where he sits and hopes vnseene T' escape their hands that seeke to reaue his life Too true it is quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens iacentem But Leister leaue to growe so passionate Spencer and Baldocke
will Their bloud and yours shall seale these treacheries Bish. This answer wee le returne and so farewell Leist. Call them againe my lorde and speake them faire For if they goe the prince shall lose his right Edward Call thou them back I haue no power to speake Lei. My lord the king is willing to resigne Bish. If he be not let him choose Edw. O would I might but heauens earth conspire To make me miserable heere receiue my crowne Receiue it no these innocent hands of mine Shall not be guiltie of so foule a crime He of you all that most desires my bloud And will be called the murtherer of a king Take it what are you mooude pitie you me Then send for vnrelenting Mortimer And Isabell whose eyes beene turnd to steele Will sooner sparkle fire then shed a teare Yet stay for rather then I will looke on them Heere heere now sweete God of heauen Make me despise this transitorie pompe And sit for aye inthronized in heauen Come death and with thy fingers close my eyes Or if I liue let me forget my selfe Enter Bartley Bartley My lorde Edw. Call me not lorde Away out of my sight ah pardon me Greefe makes me lunatick Let not that Mortimer protect my sonne More safetie is there in a Tigers iawes This his imbrasements beare this to the queene Wet with my teares and dried againe with sighes If with the sight thereof she be not mooued Returne it backe and dip it in my bloud Commend me to my sonne and bid him rule Better then I yet how haue I transgrest Vnlesse it be with too much clemencie Tru. And thus most humbly do we take our leaue Edward Farewell I know the next newes that they bring Will be my death and welcome shall it be To wretched men death is felicitie Leist. An other poast what newes bringes he Edw. Such newes as I expect come Bartley come And tell thy message to my naked brest Bart. My lord thinke not a thought so villanous Can harbor in a man of noble birth To do your highnes seruice and deuoire And saue you from your foes Bartley would die Leist. My lorde the counsell of the Queene commaunds That I resigne my charge Edw. And who must keepe mee now must you my lorde Bart. I my most gratious lord so t is decreed Edw. By Mortimer whose name is written here Well may I rent his name that rends my hart This poore reuenge hath something easd my minde So may his limmes be torne as is this paper Heare me immortall loue and graunt it too Bart. Your grace must hence with mee to Bartley straight Edw. Whether you will all places are alike And euery earth is fit for buriall Leist. Fauor him my lord as much as lieth in you Bart. Euen so betide my soule as I vse him Edw. Mine enemie hath pitied my estate And that 's the cause that I am now remooude Bartley And thinkes your grace that Bartley will bee cruell Edw. I know not but of this am I assured That death ends all and I can die but once Leicester farewell Leicester Not yet my lorde I le beare you on your waye Exeunt omnes Enter Mortimer and Queene Isabell Mor. iu. Faire Isabell now haue we our desire The proud corrupters of the light-brainde king Haue done their homage to the loftie gallowes And he himselfe lies in captiuitie Be rulde by me and we will rule the realme In any case take heed of childish feare For now we hould an old Wolfe by the eares That if he flip will seaze vpon vs both And gripe the sorer being gript himselfe Thinke therefore madam that imports as much To erect your sonne withall the speed we may And that I be protector ouer him For our behoofe will beare the greater sway When as a kings name shall be vnder writ Qu. Sweet Mortimer the life of Isabell Be thou perswaded that I loue thee well And therefore so the prince my sonne be safe Whome I esteeme as deare as these mine eyes Conclude against his father what thou wilt And I my selfe will willinglie subscribe Mort. iu. First would I heare newes that hee were deposde And then let me alone to handle him Enter Messenger Mor. iu. Letters from whence Messen. From Killing worth my lorde Qu. How fares my lord the king Messen. In health madam but full of pensiuenes Queene Alas poore soule would I could ease his greefe Thankes gentle Winchester sirra be gon Winchester The king hath willingly resignde his crowne Qu. O happie newes send for the prince my sonne Bish. Further or this letter was sealed Lord Bartley came So that he now is gone from Killingworth And we haue heard that Edmund laid a plot To set his brother free no more but so The lord of Bartley is so pitifull As Leicester that had charge of him before Qu. Then let some other be his guardian Mor. iu. Let me alone here is the priuie seale Whos 's there call hither Gurney and Matreuis To dash the heauie headed Edmunds drift Bartley shall be dischargd the king remooude And none but we shall know where he lieth Qu. But Mortimer as long as he suruiues What safetie rests for vs or for my sonne Mort. iu. Speake shall he presently be dispatch'd and die Queene I would hee were so it were not by my meanes Enter Matreuis and Guruey Mortim. iu. Inough Matreuis write a letter presently Vnto the Lord of Bartley from our selfe That he resigne the king to thee and Gurney And when t is done we will subscribe our name Matr. It shall be done my lord Mort. iu. Gurney Gurn. My Lorde Mort. iu. As thou intendest to rise by Mortimer Who now makes Fortunes wheele turne as he please Seeke all the meanes thou canst to make him droope And neither giue him kinde word nor good looke Gurn. I warrant you my lord Mort. iu. And this aboue the rest because we heare That Edmund casts to worke his libertie Remooue him still from place to place by night And at the last he come to Killingworth And then from thence to Bartley back againe And by the way to make him fret the more Speake curstlie to him and in any case Let no man comfort him if he chaunce to weepe But amplifie his greefe with bitter words Matre. Feare not my Lord wee le do as you commaund Mor. iu. So now away post thither wards amaine Qu. Whither goes this letter to my lord the king Commend me humblie to his Maiestie And tell him that I labour all in vaine To ease his greefe and worke his libertie And beare him this as witnesse of my loue Matre. I will madam Exeunt Matreuis and Gurney Manent Isabell and Mortimer Enter the yong Prince and the Earle of Kent talking with him Mor. iu. Finely dissembled do so still sweet Queene Heere comes the yong prince with the Earle of Kent Qu. Some thing he whispers in his childish eares Mort. iu. If he haue such accesse vnto the