QUEEN. Sweet husband, be content, they all love

you.

EDW. They love me not that hate my Gaveston. I am that cedar, shake me not too much;

And you the eagles; soar ye ne'er so high,
I have the gresses that will pull you down,
And Eque tandem shall that canker cry
Unto the proudest peer of Britainy.

Though thou compar'st him to a flying fish,
And threatenest death whether he rise or fall;
'Tis not the hugest monster of the sea,

Nor foulest harpy that shall swallow him.

Y. MOR. If in his absence thus he favours him, What will he do whenas he shall be present?

LAN. That shall we see; look where his lordship

comes.

Enter GAVESTON.

EDW. My Gaveston! welcome to Tinmouth! wel

come to thy friend!

Thy absence made me droop, and pine away;

For as the lovers of fair Danae,

When she was lock'd up in a brazen tower,
Desir'd her more, and wax'd outrageous,
So did it fare with me: and now thy sight
Is sweeter far, than was thy parting hence
Bitter and irksome to my sobbing heart.

GAV. Sweet lord and king, your speech pre

venteth mine,

Yet have I words left to express my joy:

* Or jesses.

The shepherd nipt with biting winter's rage,
Frolicks not more to see the painted spring,
Than I do to behold your majesty.

EDW. Will none of you salute my Gaveston?
LAN. Salute him? yes; welcome, lord chamberlain.
Y. MOR. Welcome is the good earl of Cornwall.
WAR. Welcome, lord governor of the Isle of Man.
PEM. Welcome, master secretary.

KENT. Brother, do you hear them?

EDW. Still will these earls and barons use me thus? GAV. My lord, I cannot brook these injuries. QUEEN. Ah me! poor soul, when these begin to jar.

EDW. Return it to their throats, I'll be thy

warrant.

GAV. Base, leaden earls, that glory in your birth, Go sit at home and eat your tenants' beef; And come not here to scoff at Gaveston,

Whose mounting thoughts did never creep so low As to bestow a look on such as you.

LAN. Yet I disdain not to do this for you. [Draws. EDW. Treason! treason! where's the traitor?

PEM. Here! here! king:

Convey hence Gaveston; they'll murder him.

GAV. The life of thee shall salve this foul disgrace. Y. MOR. Villain! thy life, unless I miss mine aim. [Offers to stab him. QUEEN. Ah! furious Mortimer, what hast thou

done?

Y. MOR. No more than I would answer, were he

slain.

EDW. Yes, more than thou canst answer, though

he live;

Dear shall you both abide this riotous deed.

Out of my presence! come not near the court.

Y. MOR. I'll not be barr'd the court for Gaveston. LAN. We'll hale him by the ears unto the block. EDW. Look to your own heads; his is sure enough. WAR. Look to your own crown, if you back him thus.

KENT. Warwick, these words do ill beseem thy

years.

EDW. Nay, all of them conspire to cross me thus; But if I live, I'll tread upon their heads

That think with high looks thus to tread me down. Come, Edmund, let's away and levy men,

'Tis war that must abate these barons' pride.

[Exeunt the King and Kent. WAR. Let's to our castles, for the king is mov'd. Y. MOR. Mov'd may he be, and perish in his wrath! LAN. Cousin, it is no dealing with him now, He means to make us stoop by force of arms; And therefore let us jointly here protest,

To prosecute that Gaveston to the death.

Y. MOR. By heav'n! the abject villain shall not live.

WAR. I'll have his blood, or die in seeking it.

PEM. The like oath Pembroke takes.

Las. And so doth Lancaster.

Now send our heralds to defy the king;

And make the people swear to put him down.
Exter MESSENGER.

Y. MOR. Letters! from whence?

MESS. From Scotland, my lord.

LAN. Why, how now, cousin, how fares all our friends?

Y. MOR. My uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots. Lax. We'll have him ransom'd, man, be of good cheer.

Y. MOR. They rate his ransom at five thousand pound.

Who should defray the money but the king,

Seeing he is taken prisoner in his wars?

I'll to the king.

LAN. Do, cousin, and I'll bear thee company.

WAR. Mean time, my lord of Pembroke and

myself

Will to Newcastle here, and gather head.

Y. MOR. About it then, and we will follow
LAN. Be resolute and full of secresy.

WAR. I warrant you.

you.

Y. MOR. Cousin, and if he will not ransom him, I'll thunder such a peal into his ears,

As never subject did unto his king.

LAN. Content, I'll bear my part-Holloa! who's

there?

[Guard appears.

Enter GUARD.

Y. MOR. Aye, marry, such a guard as this doth

well.

LAN. Lead on the way.

GUARD. Whither will your lordships?

Y. MOR. Whither else but to the king.

GUARD. His highness is dispos'd to be alone.

LAN. Why, so he may, but we will speak to him. GUARD. You may not in, my lord.

Y. MOR. May we not?

Enter EDWARD and KENT.

EDW. How now! what noise is this?

Who have we there, is't you?

[Going.

Y. MOR. Nay, stay, my lord, I come to bring you

news;

Mine uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots.

EDW. Then ransom him.

LAN. 'Twas in your wars; you should ransom him. Y. MOR. And you shall ransom him, or else— KENT. What! Mortimer, you will not threaten him? EDW. Quiet yourself, you shall have the broad seal, To gather for him throughout the realm.

LAN. Your minion Gaveston hath taught you this. Y. MOR. My lord, the family of the Mortimers Are not so poor, but would they sell their land, Could levy men enough to anger you.

We never beg, but use such prayers as these.
EDW. Shall I still be taunted thus?

Y. MOR. Nay, now you're here alone, I'll speak my mind.