ARCHBISH. What else, my lords? for it concerns me near; The bishoprick of Coventry is his. Enter the QUEFN. Y. MOR. Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast? To live in grief and baleful discontent; He claps his cheek, and hangs about his neck, ARCHBISH. But yet lift not your swords against the LAN. No; but we'll lift Gaveston from hence. WAR. And war must be the means, or he'll stay still. QUEEN. Then let nim stay; for rather than my lord Shall be oppress'd with civil mutiníes, I will endure a melancholy life, And let him frolick with his minion. ARCHBISI. My lords, to ease all this, but hear me We and the rest, that are his counsellors, Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals. Y. MOR. Content. ARCHBISH. And, in the mean time, I'll intreat you all To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me. Y. MOR. Madam, farewell! QUEEN. Farewell, sweet Mortimer; and, for my sake. Forbear to levy arms against the king. Y. MOR. Aye, if words will serve, if not, I must. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Enter GAVESTON and the EARL of Kent. GAY. Edmund, the mighty prince of Lancaster, That hath more earldoms than an ass can bear, And both the Mortimers, two goodly men, With Guy of Warwick, that redoubted knight, Are gone toward Lambeth-there let them remain. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Enter NOBLES, and the ARCHBISHOP of CAN TERBURY. LAN. Here is the form of Gaveston's exile; May it please your lordship to subscribe your name. ARCHBISH. Give me the paper. I long to write my name. WAR. But I long more to see him banish'd hence. Y. MOR. The name of Mortimer shall fright the king, Unless he be declin'd from that base peasant. Enter the KING and GAVESTON. EDW. What, are you moved that Gaveston sits here ? It is our pleasure, we will have it so. LAN. Your grace doth well to place him by your side, For no where else the new earl is so safe. E. MOR. What man of noble birth can brook this sight? Quam male conveniunt ! See what a scornful look the peasant casts! PEM. Can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants? WAR. Ignoble vassal, that like Phaeton, Aspir❜st unto the guidance of the sun. Y. Mon. Their downfall is at hand, their forces down: We will not thus be fac'd and over-peer'd. peers. VOL. II. 2 EDW. Whither will you bear him? Stay, or ye shall die. E. MOR. We are no traitors, therefore threaten not. GAV. No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home! Were I a king Y. Mon. Thou villain, wherefore talk'st thou of a king, That hardly art a gentleman by birth? EDW. Were he a peasant, being my minion, I'll make the proudest of you stoop to him. LAN. My lord, you may not thus disparage us. Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston. E.MOR. And with the earl of Kent that favours him. EDW. Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king, Here, Mortimer, sit thou on Edward's throne: Warwick and Lancaster, wear you my crown: Was ever king thus over-rul'd as I? LAN. Learn then to rule us better, and the realm. Y. MOR. What we have done, Our heart-blood shall maintain. WAR. Think you that we can brook this upstart pride? EDW. Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech. ARCHBISH. Why are you mov'd? be patient, my lord, And see what we your counsellors have done. Y. MOR. My lords, now let us all be resolute, And either have our wills, or lose our lives. Edw. Meet you for this? proud over-daring peers! Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me, ARCHBISH. You know that I am legate to the pope; On your allegiance to the see of Rome, Subscribe, as we have done, to his exile. Y. MOR. Curse him, if he refuse; and then may we Depose him, and elect another king. Edw. Aye, there it goes-but yet I will not yield: Curse me, depose me, do the worst you can. LAN. Then linger not, my lord, but do it straight. ARCHBISH. Remember how the bishop was abus'd! Either banish him that was the cause thereof, Or I will presently discharge these lords Of duty and allegiance due to thee. Edw. It boots me not to threat-I must speak fair: [Aside. The legate of the pope will be obey'd. ARCHBISH. Nothing shall alter us-we are resolv'd. Y. MOR. Why should you love him |