First P. Man. I can ride. Gav. But I have no horse.-What art thou? Sec. P. Man. A traveller. Gav. Let me see: thou wouldst do well To wait at my trencher, and tell me lies at dinner-time; And, as I like your discoursing, I'll have you.And what art thou? Third P. Man. A soldier, that hath serv'd against the Scot. : Gar. Why, there are hospitals for such as you: I have no war; and therefore, sir, be gone. Third P. Man. Farewell; and perish by a soldier's hand, That wouldst reward them with an hospital! Cav. Ay, ay, these words of his move me as much As if a goose should play the porcupine, And dart her plumes, thinking to pierce my breast. But yet it is no pain to speak men fair; I'll flatter these, and make them live in hope.[Aside. You know that I came lately out of France, Gav. I have some business: leave me to myself. Therefore haveItalian masks by night, 3 To hide those parts which men delight to see, die:// [Retires. 1 Music and poetry, &c.-'How exactly the author, as the learned Dr. Hurd observes, has painted the humour of the times, which esteemed masks and shows as the Bighest indulgence that could be provided for a luxuriGs and happy monarch, we may see from the enterTainment provided, not many years after, for the reception of King James at Althorp in Northamptonshire, where this very design of Sylvan Nymphs, Saturs, and Arteon, was executed in a Masque by Ben Jonson. [Hurd's] Moral and Political Dialogues, vol. 1, p. 194.' -DODSLEY'S Old Plays. antic hay-antic here means grotesque, fantastic, and is still used as a noun, meaning grotesque capers; it is the same word as 'antique.' Hay was the name of a round country dance; Shall we go dance the hay?' occurs in England's Helicon; and mention is made of it in Lore's Labour Lost, act v., sc. 1. Crownet-the diminutive of crown, i.e., coronet. Acton, according to the fable, was a hunter who was transformed by Artemis (Diana) into a stag, and torn to pieces by dogs, for peeping at the goddess and her nymphs bathing. Gav. That villain Mortimer! I'll be his death. [Aside. Y. Mor. Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself, Were sworn to your father at his death, Shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need, [Aside. K. Edw. Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee ruc these words. Beseems it thee to contradict thy king? I will have Gaveston; and you shall know Gav. Well done, Ned! [Aside. Lan. My lord, why do you thus incense your peers, That naturally would love and honour you, Kent. Barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute; But now I'll speak, and to the proof, I hope. K. Edw. Ay, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant. War. Bridle thy anger, gentle Mortimer. Y. Mor. I cannot, nor I will not; I must speak. Cousin, our hands, I hope, shall fence our heads, War. All Warwickshire will love him for my sake. 1 lore-Dyce reads 'leave.' Lan. And northward Lancaster1 hath many friends. Adieu, my lord; and either change your mind, [Exeunt all except KING EDWard, Kent, K. Edw. I cannot brook these haughty menaces; Am I a king, and must be overrul'd?Brother, display my ensigns in the field: I'll bandy with the barons and the earls, And either die or live with Gaveston. Gav. I can no longer keep me from my lord. [Comes forward. K. Edw. What! Gaveston! welcome! Kiss not my hand: Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee. Thy friend, thyself, another Gaveston: Gav. And, since I went from hence, no soul in Hath felt more torment than poor Gaveston. K. Edw. I know it.-Brother, welcome home my friend. Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire, I here create thee Lord High Chamberlain, Gav. My lord, these titles far exceed my worth. Kent. Brother, the least of these may well suffice For one of greater birth than Gaveston. K. Edw. Cease, brother, for I cannot brook these words. Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts: If for these dignities thou be envied," Wantest thou gold? go to my treasury: Would'st thou be lov'd and fear'd? receive my seal, Save or condemn, and in our name command Gav. It shall suffice me to enjoy your love; Enter the BISHOP OF COVENTRY. K. Edw. Whither goes my Lord of Coventry so fast? 1 Lancaster-Old eds. Gaueston.' 2 glozing-flattering. 3 bandy-i.e., oppose with all my force; totis viribus se opponere, says Skinner, voce bandy.'-DODSLEY'S Old Plays. Allylas, according to the fable, was the friend and perhaps the son of Hercules; he was so beautiful that the naiads stole him, and Hercules tried in vain to find him. 5 joy-enjoy. 6enried-hated. Bish. of Cov. To celebrate your father's exequies. But is that wicked Gaveston return'd? K. Edw. Ay, priest, and lives to be reveng’d on thee, That wert the only cause of his exile. Gav. 'Tis true; and, but for reverence of these robes, Thou should'st not plod one foot beyond this place. Bish. of Cov. did no more than I was bound to do: And, Gaveston, unless thou be reclaim'd, me. K. Edw. Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole, And in the channel2 christen him anew. Kent. Ah, brother, lay not violent hands on him! For he'll complain unto the see of Rome. Gav. Let him complain unto the see of hell: I'll be reveng'd on him for my exile. K. Edw. No, spare his life, but seize upon his goods: Be thou lord bishop, and receive his rents, thou wilt. Bish. of Cov. For this offence be thou accurs'd of God! K. Edw. Who's there? Convey this priest to the Tower. Bish. of Cov. True, true.3 K. Edw. But, in the mean time, Gaveston, away, And take possession of his house and goods. Come, follow me, and thou shalt have my guard To see it done, and bring thee safe again. Gav. What should a priest do with so fair a house? A prison may best beseem his holiness. [Exeunt. Ah, wicked king! accursed Gaveston! Y. Mor. Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure; Unless his breast be sword-proof, he shall die. Y. Mor. Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent? Lan. That villain Gavestone is made an earl. E. Mor. An earl! War. Ay, and besides, Lord Chamberlain of the realm. And Secretary too, and Lord of Man. 1 Gav., &c.-'He "lays violent hands" upon the bishop. See p. 103, 1st col.-DODSLEY'S Old Plays. 2 channel-kennel or gutter. 3 True, true. Altered in Dodsley (ed. 1825) to 'Do, do.' Dyce suggests Prut, prut' (an exclamation of 7 regiment-rule, government; Lat. regimentum, regi- contempt). men, from rego, to rule. 4 timeless-untimely. E. Mor. We may not nor we will not suffer this. Y. Mor. Why post we not from hence to levy men ? Lan. My Lord of Cornwall' now at every word; And happy is the man whom he vouchsafes, War. Thus leaning on the shoulder of the king, He nods, and scorns, and smiles at those that pass. E. Mor. Doth no man take exceptions at the slave? Lan. All stomach2 him, but none dare speak a word. Y. Mor. Ah, that bewrays their baseness, Lancaster! Were all the earls and barons of my mind, War. Here comes my Lord of Canterbury's grace. Lan. His countenance bewrays he is displeas'd. Enter the ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, and an Attendant. Archb. of Cant. First were his sacred garments rent and torn; Then laid they violent hands upon him; next, Himself imprison'd, and his goods asseiz'd: This certify the Pope: away, take horse. [Exit Attendant. Lan. My lord, will you take arms against the king? Archb. of Cant. What need I? God himself is up in arms When violence is offer'd to the church. Y. Mor. Then will you join with us, that be his peers, To banish or behead that Gaveston? concerns me near; The bishoprick of Coventry is his. Enter QUEEN ISABELLA. Y. Mor. Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast? Q. Isab. Unto the forest, gentle Mortimer, He claps his cheeks, and hangs about his neck, Y. Mor. Madam, return unto the court again: That sly inveigling Frenchman we'll exile, Or lose our lives; and yet, ere that day come, The king shall lose his crown; for we have power, And courage too, to be reveng'd at full. Archb. of Cant. But yet lift not your swords against the king. Lan. No; but we will lift Gaveston from hence. War. And war must be the means, or he'll stay still. Q. Isab. Then let him stay; for, rather than my lord Shall be oppress'd with civil mutinies, And let him frolic with his minion. Archb. of Cant. My lords, to ease all this but hear me speak: We and the rest, that are his counsellors, Archb. of Cant. At the New Temple. Y. Mor. Content. Archb. of Cant. And, in the meantime, I'll entreat you all To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me. Y. Mor. Madam, farewell. Q. Isab. Farewell, sweet Mortimer; and, for my sake, Forbear to levy arms against the king. Y. Mor. Ay, if words will serve; if not, I must. [Exeunt. Enter GAVESTON and KENT. Gav. 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 towards Lambeth: there let them remain. [Exeunt. Enter LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, the elder MORTIMER, the younger MORTIMER, the ARCHBISHOP Of CanterburyY, and Attendants. Lan. Here is the form of Gaveston's exile; May it please your lordship to subscribe your name. Archb. of Cant. Give me the paper. Lan. Quick, quick, my lord! 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 KING EDWARD, GAVESTON, and KENT. K. Edw. What are you mov'd 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 nowhere else the new earl is so safe. E. Mor. What man of noble birth can brook this sight? Quam male conveniunt! 3 See what a scornful look the peasant casts! Y. Mor. Their downfall is at hand, their forces down: We will not thus be fac'd and over-peer'd. 1 railing-lowering. 2 stomach meant to brook or resent; here it means to be angry at. 3 We'll. Dyce reads 'We'd' here. 1 frolic-play or amuse himself. 2 declin'd from-turned or estranged from. 3 Quam, &c.—'how badly are they matched." K. Edw. Whither will you bear him? stay, or ye shall die. E. Mor. We are no traitors; therefore threaten not. Y. Mor. Why should you love him whom the world hates so? K. Edw. Because he loves me more than all the world. Gav. No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them Ali, none but rude and savage-minded men Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston! E. Mor. And with the Earl of Kent that favours him. [GAVESTON and KENT are removed. K. Edw. Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king: Here, Mortimer, sit thou in Edward's throne; 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? K. Edw. Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech. Archb. of Cant. Why are you moved? be patient, my lord, And see what we your counsellors have done. Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me, 1 And wander to the unfrequented Inde. Archb. of Cant. You know that I am legate to the Pope: On your allegiance to the see of Rome, Y. Mor. Curse him, if he refuse; and then may we Depose him, and elect another king. K. Edw. Ay, 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. Archb. of Cant. Remember how the bishop was abus'd: Either banish him that was the cause thereof, K. Edw. It boots 2 me not to threat; I must speak fair: The legate of the Pope will be obey'd.- [Aside. So I may have some nook or corner left, To frolic with my dearest Gaveston. Archb. of Cant. Nothing shall alter us; we are resolved. Lan. Come, come, subscribe. 1 fleet-float; Anglo-Saxon, fleotan, to float. 2 boots-profits; Anglo-Saxon, bot, compensation, betan, to cement, from the same root as better. Would seek the ruin of my Gaveston! War. You that are princely-born should shake him off: For shame, subscribe, and let the lown depart. E. Mor. Urge him, my lord. Archb. of Cant. Are you content to banish him the realm? K. Edw. I see I must, and therefore am content: Instead of ink, I'll write it with my tears. [Subscribes. Y. Mor. The king is love-sick for his minion. K. Edw. "Tis done: and now accursed hand, fall off! Lan. Give it me: I'll have it publish'd in the streets. Y. Mor. I'll see him presently despatch'd away. Archb. of Cant. Now is my heart at ease. War. And so is mine. Pem. This will be good news to the common sort. E. Mor. Be it or no, he shall not linger here. [Exeunt Nobles. K. Edw. How fast they run to banish him I love! They would not stir, were it to do me good. And banks rais'd higher with their sepulchres! Enter GAVESTON. Gav. My Lord, I hear it whisper'd everywhere, That I am banish'd and must fly the land. K. Edw. 'Tis true, sweet Gaveston: Oh were it false! The legate of the Pope will have it so, Gav. Is all my hope turn'd to this hell of grief? K. Edw. Rend not my heart with thy toopiercing words: Thou from this land, I from myself am banish'd. But to forsake you, in whose gracious looks K. Edw. And only this torments my wretched soul, That, whether I will or no, thou must depart. And there abide till fortune call thee home. Gav. The peers will frown. 1 K. Edw. I pass not for their anger. Come, let's go: Oh, that we might as well return as go! Enter EDMUND [EARL OF KENT and] QUEEN ISABELLA. Q. Isab. Whither goes my lord? K. Edo. Fawn not on me, French strumpet; get thee gone! Q. Isab. On whom but on my husband should I fawn? Gav. On Mortimer; with whom, ungentle I say no more-judge you the rest, my lord. Is't not enough that thou corrupt'st my lord, But thou must call mine honour thus in question? me. K. Edw. Thou art too familiar with that Mortimer, And by thy means is Gaveston exil'd: Q. Isab. Your highness knows, it lies not in my power. K. Edw. Away, then! touch me not.-Come, Gaveston. Q. Isab. Villain, 'tis thou that robb'st me of my lord. Gav. Madam, 'tis you that rob me of my lord. K. Edw. Speak not unto her: let her droop and pine. Q. Ieab. Wherein, my lord, have I deserv'd these words? Witness the tears that Isabella sheds, K. Edw. And witness heaven how dear thou art to me! There weep; for, till my Gaveston be repeal'd, Assure thyself thou com'st not in my sight. [Exeunt KING EDWARD and GAVESTON. Q. Isab. Oh miserable and distressèd queen! Would, when I left sweet France, and was embark'd, That charming Circe, walking on the waves, Had chang'd my shape! or at the marriage-day The cup of Hymen had been full of poison! Or with those arms, that twin'd about my neck, I had been stifled, and not liv'd to see With ghastly murmur of my sighs and cries; Enter LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, the elder MORTIMER, and the younger MORTIMER. Lan. Look, where the sister of the king of France Sits wringing of her hands, and beats her breast! War. The king, I fear, hath ill-entreated her. Pem. Hard is the heart that injures such a saint. Y. Mor. I know 'tis 'long of Gaveston she weeps. E. Mor. Why, he is gone. Y. Mor. Madam, how fares your grace? Q. Isab. Ah, Mortimer, now breaks the king's hate forth, And he confesseth that he loves me not! Y. Mor. Cry quittance, madam, then, and love not him. Q. Isab. No, rather will I die a thousand deaths: And yet I love in vain; he'll ne'er love me. Lan. Fear ye not, madam; now his minion's gone, His wanton humour will be quickly left. Q. Isab. Oh, never, Lancaster! I am enjoin'd To sue unto you all for his repeal: This wills my lord, and this must I perform, Unless the sea cast up his shipwreck'd body. War. And to behold so sweet a sight as that, There's none here but would run his horse to death. Y. Mor. But, madam, would you have us call him home? Q. Isab. Ay, Mortimer; for, till he be restor❜d, The angry king hath banish'd me the court; And therefore, as thou lov'st and tender'st 2 me, Be thou my advocate unto these peers. Y. Mor. What! would you have me plead for Gaveston? E. Mor. Plead for him that will, I am resolv'd. Lan. And so am I, my lord: dissuade the Which, being caught, strikes him that takes it dead; I mean that vile torpedo, Gaveston, Q. Isab. Sweet Mortimer, sit down by me a while, And I will tell thee reasons of such weight Y. Mor. It is impossible: but speak your mind. Q. Isab. Then thus;-but none shall hear it but ourselves. [Talks to Y. MOR. apart. Lan. My lords, albeit the queen win Mortimer, Will you be resolute, and hold with me? 1 ill-entreated-ill-treated. 2 tender'st-hast a tender regard for. |