Lan. Monster of men, That, like the Greekish strumpet, train'd to arms War. Lancaster, why talk'st thou to the slave ?- : Upon thy person. Hang him at a bough. Gav. Soldiers, have him away.— Gav. I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive Lan. Enter ARUNDEL. How now, my lord of Arundel ! 15 20 25 30 Arun. My lords, King Edward greets you all by me. War. Arundel, say your message. Arun. His majesty, hearing that you had taken Gaveston, Entreateth you by me, yet but he may See him before he dies; for why, he says, And sends you word, he knows that die he shall; And if you gratify his grace so far, He will be mindful of the courtesy. War. How now? Gav. 35 Revives poor Gaveston ! War. Arundel, we will gratify the king In other matters; he must pardon us in this.— Gav. Why, my lord of Warwick, Will not these delays beget my hopes? Y. Mor. Shalt thou appoint What we shall grant ?—Soldiers, away with him! 45 [To ARUNDEL. We'll send his head by thee; let him bestow Lan. Not so, my lords, lest he bestow more cost In burying him, than he hath ever earn'd. Arun. My lords, it is his majesty's request, And in the honour of a king he swears, He will but talk with him, and send him back. War. When, can you tell? Arundel, no; we wot, He that the care of his realm remits, And drives his nobles to these exigents 50 55 For Gaveston, will, if he sees him once, 60 Arun. Then if you will not trust his grace in keep, My lords, I will be pledge for his return. Y. Mor. 'Tis honourable in thee to offer this; But for we know thou art a noble gentleman, We will not wrong thee so, To make away a true man for a thief. 65 Gav. How mean'st thou, Mortimer? that is over-base. Y. Mor. Away, base groom, robber of king's renown! Question with thy companions and mates. 70 Pem. My Lord Mortimer, and you, my lords, each one, Desires to see the man before his death, 75 Provided this, that you, my lord of Arundel, Will join with me. Arun. My lord of Lancaster, what say you in this? Y. Mor. How say you, my lord of Warwick? War. Nay, do your pleasures, I know how 'twill prove. [Aside. If Warwick's wit and policy prevail. Y. Mor. My lord of Pembroke, we deliver him you; Return him on your honour. Sound, away! [Exeunt all except PEMBROKE, ARUNDEL, GAVESTON, Pem. My lord, you shall go with me. 95 A little; but our men shall go along. We that have pretty wenches to our wives, Sir, must not come so near to balk their lips. Arun. 'Tis very kindly spoke, my lord of Pembroke; Your honour hath an adamant of power To draw a prince. Pem. So, my lord.-Come hither, James : I do commit this Gaveston to thee; Be thou this night his keeper; in the morning ΙΟΙ 105 Gav. Unhappy Gaveston, whither go'st thou now? [Exit with JAMES and other Attendants of PEMBROKE. Horse-boy. My lord, we'll quickly be at Cobham. [Exeunt. ACT III. SCENE 1. Country near Deddington. Enter GAVESTON mourning, JAMES and other Attendants of PEMBROKE. Gav. O treacherous Warwick, thus to wrong thy friend! Oh! must this day be period of my life, Centre of all my bliss? An ye be men, 5 War. Enter WARWICK and Soldiers. My lord of Pembroke's men, Strive you no longer: I will have that Gaveston. James. Your lordship doth dishonour to yourself, And wrong our lord, your honourable friend. II War. No, James, it is my country's cause I follow.Go, take the villain; soldiers, come away; We'll make quick work.-Commend me to your master, My friend, and tell him that I watch'd it well. Come, let thy shadow parley with King Edward. Gav. Treacherous earl, shall not I see the king? War. The King of heaven perhaps, no other king.— Away! [Exeunt WARWICK and Soldiers with GAVESTON. James. Come, fellows; it booted not for us to strive; We will in haste go certify our lord. [Exeunt. 15 SCENE II. King's camp, near Boroughbridge, Yorkshire. Enter KING EDWARD, the younger SPENSER, BALDOCK, Noblemen of the king's side, and Soldiers with drums and fifes. K. Edw. I long to hear an answer from the barons Touching my friend, my dearest Gaveston. Ah, Spenser, not the riches of my realm Can ransom him! ah, he is mark'd to die! Y. Spen, Were I King Edward, England's sovereign, Son to the lovely Eleanor of Spain, 5 II Great Edward Longshanks' issue, would I bear These braves, this rage, and suffer uncontroll❜d In mine own realm? My lord, pardon my speech; 15 Did you retain your father's magnanimity, Did you regard the honour of your name, You would not suffer thus your majesty Be counterbuff'd of your nobility. Strike off their heads, and let them preach on poles: 20 No doubt, such lessons they will teach the rest, As by their preachments they will profit much, And learn obedience to their lawful king. K. Edw. Yea, gentle Spenser, we have been too mild, Too kind to them; but now have drawn our sword, And if they send me not my Gaveston, We'll steel it on their crest, and poll their tops. Bald. This haught resolve becomes your majesty, As though your highness were a schoolboy still, 25 30 339 |