As for the multitude, they are but sparks, That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away. Enter three poor MEN. MEN. Such as desire your worship's service. 1 MAN. I can ride. GAV. But I have no horse. What art thou? 2 MAN. A traveller. GAV, Let me see-thou wouldst do well To wait at my trencher, and tell me lies at dinnertime; And as I like your discoursing, I'll have you. And what art thou? 3 MAN. A soldier, that hath serv'd against the Scot. GAV. Why there are hospitals for such as you; I have no war, and therefore, sir, be gone. 3 MAN. Farewell, and perish by a soldier's hand, That would'st reward them with an hospital. GAV. Aye, aye, these words of his move me as much As if a goose would play the porcupine, And dart her plumes, thinking to pierce my breast. I'll flatter these, and make them live in hope. [Aside. OMNES. We thank your worship. GAV. I have some business. Leave me to myself. OMNES. We will wait here about the court. [Exeunt. GAV. Do; these are not men for me; Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night, By yelping hounds pull'd down, shall seem to die ;Such things as these best please his majesty. By'r lord! here comes the king, and the nobles,* In the old editions of this play we read, My lord here comes, &c. This reading is evidently incorrect, and we have, therefore, ventured on the above emendation. From the parliament. I'll stand aside. Enter the KING, LANCASTER, MORTIMER, senior, MORTIMER, junior, EDMUND EARL of KENT, GUY EARL of WARWICK, &c. EDW. Lancaster ! LAN. My lord. GAV. That earl of Lancaster do I abhor. [Aside. EDW. Will you not grant me this? In spite of them I'll have my will; and these two Mortimers, E. MOR. If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston. [Aside. Y. MOR. Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself, Were sworn unto your father at his death, That he should ne'er return into the realm: And know, my lord, e'er I will break my oath, GAV. Mort dieu ! [Aside. EDW. Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee rue these words. Beseems it thee to contradict thy king? Frown'st thou thereat, aspiring Lancaster? The sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows, I will have Gaveston; and you shall know What danger 'tis to stand against your king. GAV. Well done, Ned! [Aside. LAN. My lord, why do you thus incense your peers, That naturally would love and honour you But for that base and obscure Gaveston? Four earldoms have I, besides LancasterDerby, Salisbury, Lincoln, Leicester, These will I sell, to give my soldiers pay, Ere Gaveston shall stay within the realm; Therefore, if he be come, expel him straight. EDW. Barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute; But now I'll speak, and to the proof, I hope. I do remember, in my father's days, Lord Piercy of the North, being highly mov'd, EDW. Aye, yours; aud 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, And strike off his that makes you threaten us. Come, uncle, let us leave the brainsick king, E. MOR. Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads. WAR. All Warwickshire will love him for my sake. LAN. And northward Lancaster* hath many friends. Adieu, my lord and either change your mind, Or look to see the throne, where you should sit, To float in blood; and at thy wanton head, The glozing head of thy base minion thrown. [Exeunt Nobles. EDW. I cannot brook these haughty menaces: And either die or live with Gaveston. GAV. I can no longer keep me from my lord: EDW. What, Gaveston! welcome-Kiss not my hand Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee. Why shouldst thou kneel? Know'st thou not who I am? Thy friend, thyself, another Gaveston! Than thou hast been of me since thy exile. GAV. And since I went from hence, no soul in hell Hath felt more torment than poor Gaveston. EDW. I know it-Brother, welcome home my friend. Gaveston, in the old editions. |