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
himselfe good much lesse vs But he that hath the fauour of a king May with one word aduaunce vs while we liue The liberall earle of Cornewall is the man On whose good fortune Spencers hope depends Bald. What meane you then to be his follower Spen. No his companion for he loues me well And would haue once preferd me to the king Bald. But he is banisht there 's small hope of him Spen. I for a while but Baldock marke the end A friend of mine told me in secrecie That hee s repeald and sent for back againe And euen now a poast came from the court With letters to our ladie from the King And as she red she smild which makes me thinke It is about her louer Gaueston Bald. T is like enough for since he was exild She neither walkes abroad nor comes in sight But I had thought the match had beene broke off And that his banishment had changd her minde Spen. Our Ladies first loue is not wauering My life for thine she will haue Gaueston Bald. Then hope I by her meanes to be preferd Hauing read vnto her since she was a childe Spen. Then Balduck you must cast the scholler off And learne to court it like a Gentleman T is not a black coate and a little band A Veluet cap'de cloake fac'st before with Serge And smelling to a Nosegay all the day Or holding of a napkin in your hand Or saying a long grace at a tables end Or making lowe legs to a noble man Or looking downeward with your eye lids close And saying trulie an t may please your honor Can get you any fauour with great men You must be proud bold pleasant resolute And now and then stab as occasion serues Bald. Spencer thou knowest I hate such formall toies And vse them but of meere hypocrisie Mine old lord whiles he liude was so precise That he would take exceptions at my buttons And being like pins heads blame me for the bignesse Which made me curate-like in mine attire Though inwardly licentious enough And apt for any kinde of villanie I am none of these common pendants I That cannot speake without propterea quod Spen. But one of those that saith quandoquidem And hath a speciall gift to forme a verbe Bald. Leaue of this iesting here my lady comes Enter the Ladie Lady The greefe for his exile was not so much As is the ioy of his returning home This letter came from my sweete Gaueston VVhat needst thou loue thus to excuse thy selfe I know thou couldst not come and visit me I will not long be from thee though I die This argues the entire loue of my Lord VVhen I forsake thee death seaze on my heart But rest thee here where Gaueston shall sleepe Now to the letter of my Lord the King He wils me to repaire vnto the court And meete my Gaueston why do I stay Seeing that he talkes thus of my mariage day VVhos 's there Balduck See that my coache be readie I must hence Bald. It shall be done madam Exit Lad. And meete me at the parke pale presentlie Spencer stay you and beare me companie For I haue ioyfull newes to tell thee of My lord of Cornewall is a comming ouer And will be at the court as soone as we Spen. I knew the King would haue him home againe Lad. If all things sort out as I hope they will Thy seruice Spencer shal be thought vpon Spen. I humbly thanke your Ladieship Lad. Come lead the way I long till I am there Enter Edward the Queene Lancaster Mortimer Warwicke Penbrooke Kent attendants Edw. The winde is good I wonder why he stayes I feare me he is wrackt vpon the sea Queen Looke Lancaster how passionate he is And still his minde runs on his minion Lan. My Lord Edw. How now what newes is Gaueston arriude Mor. i. Nothing but Gaueston what means your grace You haue matters of more waight to thinke vpon The King of Fraunce sets foote in Normandie Edw. A triflle wee le expell him when we please But tell me Mortimer what 's thy deuise Against the stately triumph we decreed Mor. A homely one my lord not worth the telling Edw. Prethee let me know it Mor. iu. But seeing you are so desirous thus it is A loftie Cedar tree faire flourishing On whose top-branches Kinglie Eagles pearch And by the barke a canker creepes me vp And gets vnto the highest bough of all The motto Aeque tandem Edw. And what is yours my lord of Lancaster Lan. My lord mines more obscure then Mortimers Plinie reports there is a flying Fish Which all the other fishes deadly hate And therefore being pursued it takes the aire No sooner is it vp but ther 's a foule That seaseth it this fish my lord I beare The motto this Vndique mors est Edw. Proud Mortimer vngentle Lancaster Is this the loue you beare your soueraigne Is this the fruite your reconcilement beares Can you in words make showe of amitie And in your shields display your rancorous minds What call you this but priuate libelling Against the Earle of Cornewall and my brother Qu. Sweete husband be content they all loue you Edw. They loue me not that hate my Gaueston I am that Cedar shake me not too much And you the Eagles sore ye nere so high I haue the gresses that will pull you downe And Aeque tandem shall that canker crie Vnto the proudest peere of Britanie Though thou comparst him to a flying Fish And threatenest death whether he rise or fall T is not the hugest monster of the sea Nor fowlest Harpie that shall swallow him Mor. iu. If in his absence thus he fauors him What will he do when as he shall be present Lan. That shall wee see looke where his lordship comes Enter Gaueston Edw. My Gaueston welcome to Tinmouth welcome to thy friend Thy absence made me droope and pine away For as the louers of faire Danae When she was lockt vp in a brasen tower Desirde her more and waxt outragious So did it sure with me and now thy sight Is sweeter farre then was thy parting hence Bitter and irkesome to my sobbing heart Gau. Sweet Lord and King your speech preuenteth mine Yet haue I words left to expresse my ioy The sheepeherd nipt with biting winters rage Frolicks not more to see the paynted springe Then I doe to behold your Maiestie Edw. Will none of you salute my Gaueston Lan. Salute him yes welcome Lord Chamberlaine Mor. iu. Welcome is the good Earle of Cornewall War Welcome Lord gouernour of the I le of man Pen. Welcome maister secretarie Edw. Brother doe you heare them Edw. Stil wil these Earles and Barrons vse me thus Gau. My Lord I cannot brooke these iniuries Qu. Aye me poore soule when these begin to iarre Edw. Returne it to their throtes I le be thy warrant Gau. Base leaden Earles that glorie in your birth Goe sit at home and eate your tenants beefe And come not here to scoffe at
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
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
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
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
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