Thou should'st not plod one foot beyond this place. As then I did incense the parliament, So will I now, and thou shalt back to France. Gav. Saving your reverence, you must pardon me. K. Edw. Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole, And in the channel1o 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, And make him serve thee as thy chaplain. I give him thee-here, use him as thou wilt. Gav. He shall to prison, and there die in bolts. K. Edw. Ay, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt. K. Edw. But in the meantime, 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. [SCENE II. The scene is at Westminster] [Exeunt.] Enter [on one side] both the MORTIMERS; [on the other,] WARWICK and LANCASTER War. 'Tis true, the bishop is in the Tower, And goods and body given to Gaveston. Lan. What! will they tyrannise upon the church? Ah, wicked king! accursed Gaveston! 10 Gutter. 11 I. e., You have used the true word 'Convey' (= steal). This ground, which is corrupted with their steps, Y. Mor. Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure; E. Mor. How now! why droops the Earl of Lancaster? Y. Mor. Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent? E. Mor. An earl! War. Ay, and besides Lord Chamberlain of the realm, E. Mor. We may not, nor we will not suffer this. 2 For vailing of his bonnet, one good look. Thus, arm in arm, the king and he doth march: War. Thus leaning on the shoulder of the king, E. Mor. Doth no man take exceptions at the slave? Enter the [ARCH] BISHOP of CANTERBURY [and an Attendant] Lan. His countenance bewrays he is displeas'd. A. of Cant. First were his sacred garments rent and torn, [Exit Attendant] 3 Feel resentment at. 4 Shows. Lan. My lord, will you take arms against the king? A. of Cant. What need I? God himself is up in arms, When violence is offered to the church. Y. Mor. Then will you join with us, that be his peers, To banish or behead that Gaveston? A. of Cant. What else, my lords? for it concerns me near; The bishopric of Coventry is his. Enter QUEEN [ISabella] Y. Mor. Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast? Q. Isab. Unto the forest, gentle Mortimer, To live in grief and baleful discontent; He claps his cheeks, and hangs about his neck, Q. Isab. But yet lift not your swords against the king. War. And war must be the means, or he'll stay still. I will endure a melancholy life, And let him frolic with his minion. A. of Cant. My lords, to ease all this, but hear me speak:We and the rest, that are his counsellors, Will meet, and with a general consent Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals. War. But say, my lord, where shall this meeting be? Y. Mor. Content. A. of Cant. And, in the meantime, I'll entreat you all To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me. Lan. Come then, let's away. 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. [SCENE III] Enter GAVESTON and KENT Gav. Edmund, the mighty Prince of Lancaster, [SCENE IV] [Exeunt.] Exeunt. Enter [LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, the Elder MORTIMER, Young MORTIMER, the ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY and Attendants] Lan. Here is the form of Gaveston's exile: May it please your lordship to subscribe your name. A. of Cant. Give me the paper. [He subscribes, as do the others after him.] 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!1 See what a scornful look the peasant casts! Pem. Can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants? Aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun! Y. Mor. Their downfall is at hand, their forces down; K. Edw. Lay hands on that traitor Mortimer! Y. Mor. Thou villain, wherefore talk'st thou of a king, K. Edw. Were he a peasant, being my minion, I'll make the proudest of you stoop to him. Lan. My lord, you may not thus disparage us. Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston! E. Mor. And with the Earl of Kent that favours him. [Attendants remove KENT and GAVESTON.] K. Edw. Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king. Here, Mortimer, sit thou in Edward's throne; Warwick and Lancaster, wear you my crown. Was ever king thus over-rul'd as I? Lan. Learn then to rule us better, and the realm. Y. Mor. What we have done, our heart-blood shall maintain. K. Edw. Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech. 1 How ill they agree! |