PEM. But what's the reason you should leave him now? KENT. I have inform'd the earl of Lancaster. LAN. And it sufficeth. Now, my lords, know this, That Gaveston is secretly arriv'd, And here in Tinmouth frolicks with the king. Y. MOR. I'll give the onset. WAR. And I'll follow thee. Y. MOR. This totter'd ensign of my ancestors, Will I advance upon this castle's walls. LAN. None be so hardy as to touch the king; SCENE IV. [Exeunt. Enter the KING and SPENCER, to them GAVESTON, &c. EDW. O tell me, Spencer, where is Gaveston? SPEN. I fear me he is slain, my gracious lord. EDW. No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill. Fly, fly, my lords, the earls have got the hold, Take shipping and away to Scarborough, Spencer and I will post away by land. GAV. O stay, my lord, they will not injure you. LADY. Farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again. QUEEN. Heaven can witness, I love none but you That when I had him we might never part. LAN. I wonder how he 'scap'd! Y. MOR. Who's this, the Queen? QUEEN. Aye, Mortimer, the miserable Queen, Whose pining heart her inward sighs have blasted, And body with continual mourning wasted: These hands are tir'd with haling of my lord From Gaveston, from wicked Gaveston, And all in vain; for, when I speak him fair, He turns away, and smiles upon his minion. Y. MOR. Cease to lament, and tell us where's the king? QUEEN. What would you with the king, is't him you seek? VOL. II. 4 LAN. No, madam, but that cursed Gaveston. We would but rid the realm of Gaveston : Tell us where he remains, and he shall die. Y. MOR. How comes it that the king and he are parted? QUEEN. That thus your army, going several ways, Might be of lesser force: and with the power That he intendeth presently to raise, Be easily suppress'd; therefore be gone. Y. MOR. Here in the river rides a Flemish hoy; Let's all aboard, and follow him amain. LAN. The wind that bears him hence will fill our sails: Come, come aboard, 'tis but an hour's sailing. Y. MOR. Madam, stay you within this castle here. QUEEN. NO, Mortimer, I'll to my lord the king. Y. MOR. Nay, rather sail with us to Scarborough. QUEEN. You know the king is so suspicious, As if he hear I have but talk'd with you, Mine honour will be call'd in question; And therefore, gentle Mortimer, be gone. Forslow no time-Lose no time. Y. MOR. Madam, I cannot stay to answer you, But think of Mortimer as he deserves. [Exeunt Barons. QUEEN. So well hast thou deserv'd, sweet Mortimer, As Isabel could live with thee for ever. SCENE IV. Enter GAVESTON, pursued. [Exit. GAV. Yet, lusty lords, I have escap'd your hands, Your threats, your larums, and your hot pursuits; And though divorced from King Edward's eyes, Yet liveth Pierce of Gaveston unsurpriz'd, Breathing, in hope (malgrado all your beards, That muster rebels thus against your king) To see his royal sovereign once again. Enter the NOBLES. WAR. Upon him, soldiers, take away his weapons. Y. MOR. Thou proud disturber of thy country's peace, Corrupter of thy king, cause of these broils, Upon my weapon's point here shouldst thou fall, LAN. Monster of men! that like the Greekish strumpet, Train'd to arms and bloody wars So many valiant knights; Look for no other fortune, wretch, than death! WAR. Lancaster, why talk'st thou to the slave? Go soldiers, take him hence, For, by my sword, his head shall off: Gaveston, short warning shall serve thy turn. That here severely we will execute Upon thy person: hang him at a bough. WAR. Soldiers, have him away; But for thou wert the favourite of a king, Thou shalt have so much honour at our hands. GAV. I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive, That heading is one, and hanging is the other, And death is all. Enter EARL of ARUNDEL. LAN. How now, my lord of Arundel? ARUN. My lords, king Edward greets you all by me. WAR. Arundel, say your message. |