The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Publisher's Notice
• To My Worthy Friend , Master Thomas Hammon, of Gray's Inn , &c.
• Persons Represented.
• The Jew of Malta.
• Act the First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Act the Second.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Act the Third.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Act the Fourth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Act the Fifth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Edward the Second.
• Act the First.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act the Second.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Act the Third.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Act the Fourth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Act the Fifth.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• The Massacre At Paris.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Scene V.
• Scene VI.
• Scene VII.
• Scene VIII.
• Scene IX.
• Scene X.
• Scene XI.
• Scene XII.
• Scene XIII.
• Scene XIV.
• Scene XV.
• Scene XVI.
• Scene XVII.
• Scene XVIII.
• Scene XIX.
• Scene XX.
• Scene XXI.
• Scene XXII.
• Scene XXIII.
• Scene XXIV.
• The Tragedy of Dido, Queen of Carthage.
• Act I.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Act II.
• Scene I.
• Act III.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene III.
• Scene IV.
• Act IV.
• Scene I.
• Scene II.
• Scene Iii
• Scene IV.
• Scene V
• Act V.
• Scene I.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.

Enter1Gaveston, reading a letter from the King.

Gav.

• My father is deceased! Come, Gaveston, And share the kingdom with thy dearest friend.
• Ah! words that make me surfeit with delight!
• What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston
• Than live and be the favourite of a king!
• Sweet prince, I come; these, these thy amorous lines
• Might have enforced me to have swum from France,
• And, like Leander, gasped upon the sand,
• So thou would'st smile, and take me in thine arms.
• The sight of London to my exiled eyes

  10

• Is as Elysium to a new-come soul;
• Not that I love the city, or the men,
• But that it harbours him I hold so dear—
• The king, upon whose bosom let me die,2
• And with the world be still at enmity.
• What need the arctic people love starlight,
• To whom the sun shines both by day and night?
• Farewell base stooping to the lordly peers!
• My knee shall bow to none but to the king.
• As for the multitude, that are but sparks,

  20

• Raked up in embers of their poverty;—
• Tanti;1 I'll fawn2 first on the wind
• That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away.
• But how now, what are these?
• Enter three poor Men.

Men.

• Such as desire your worship's service.

Gav.

• What canst thou do?

1 Man.

• I can ride.

Gav.

• But I have no horse. What art thou?

2 Man.

• A traveller.

Gav.

• Let me see—thou would'st do well
• To wait at my trencher and tell me lies at dinner-time;

  30

• And as I like your discoursing, I'll have you.
• And what art thou?

3 Man.

• A soldier, that hath served against the Scot.

Gav.

• Why, there are hospitals for such as you;
• I have no war, and therefore, sir, begone.

3 Man.

• Farewell, and perish by a soldier's hand,
• That would'st reward them with an hospital.

Gav.

• Ay, ay, these words of his move me as much
• As if a goose would play the porcupine,
• And dart her plumes,1 thinking to pierce my breast.

  40

• 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,
• And yet I have not viewed my lord the king;
• If I speed well, I'll entertain you all.

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;
• I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits,

  50

• Musicians, that with touching of a string
• May draw the pliant king which way I please.
• Music and poetry is his delight;
• Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night,
• Sweet speeches, comedies, and pleasing shows;
• And in the day, when he shall walk abroad,
• Like silvian2 nymphs my pages shall be clad;
• My men, like satyrs grazing on the lawns,
• Shall with their goat-feet dance the antic hay.1
• Sometime a lovely boy in Dian's shape,

  60

• With hair that gilds the water as it glides,
• Crownets of pearl about his naked arms,
• And in his sportful hands an olive-tree,
• To hide those parts which men delight to see,
• Shall bathe him in a spring; and there hard by,
• One like Actæon peeping though the grove,
• Shall by the angry goddess be transformed,
• And running in the likeness of an hart
• By yelping hounds pulled down, and2 seem to die;—
• Such things as these best please his majesty.

  70

• Here comes my lord3 the king, and [here] the nobles
• From the parliament. I'll stand aside.
• Enter theKing, Lancaster, ElderMortimer, YoungMortimer, 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.

Gav.

• That villain Mortimer, I'll be his death!
• [Aside.

Y. Mor.

• Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself,

  81

• Were sworn1 to your father at his death,
• That he should ne'er return into the realm:
• And know, my lord, ere I will break my oath,
• This sword of mine, that should offend your foes,
• Shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need,
• And underneath thy banners march who will,
• For Mortimer will hang his armour up.

Gav.

• Mort dieu!
• [Aside.

Edw.

• Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee rue these words.
• Beseems it thee to contradict thy king?

  91

• Frown'st thou thereat, aspiring Lancaster?2
• The sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows,
• And hew these knees that now are grown so stiff.
• 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
• But for that base and obscure Gaveston?

  100

• Four earldoms have I, besides Lancaster—
• Derby, Salisbury, Lincoln, Leicester,
• These will I sell, to give my soldiers pay,
• Ere Gaveston shall stay within the realm;

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 Percy of the north, being highly moved,
• Braved Moubery1 in presence of the king;

  110

• For which, had not his highness loved him well,
• He should have lost his head; but with his look
• The undaunted spirit of Percy was appeased,
• And Moubery and he were reconciled:
• Yet dare you brave the king unto his face.—
• Brother, revenge it, and let these their heads

War.

• O, our heads!

Edw.

• Ay, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant—

War.

• Bridle thy anger, gentle Mortimer.

  120

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 brain-sick king,
• And henceforth parley with our naked swords.

E. Mor.

• Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads.

War.

• All Warwickshire will love2 him for my sake.

Lan.

• And northward Gaveston1 hath many friends.
• Adieu, my lord; and either change your mind,
• Or look to see the throne, where you should sit,

  130

• 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;
• Am I a king, and must be overruled?
• Brother, display my ensigns in the field;
• I'll bandy2 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.

Edw.

• What, Gaveston! welcome.—Kiss not my hand—
• Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee.

  140

• Why should'st thou kneel? know'st thou not who I am?
• Thy friend, thyself, another Gaveston!
• Not Hylas was more mourned of3 Hercules,
• 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.
• Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire,
• And that high-minded Earl of Lancaster:
• I have my wish, in that I joy thy sight;

  150

• And sooner shall the sea o'erwhelm my land,
• Than bear the ship that shall transport thee hence.
• I here create thee Lord High Chamberlain,
• Chief Secretary to the state and me,

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.

Edw.

• Cease, brother: for I cannot brook these words.
• Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts,

  160

• Therefore, to equal it, receive my heart;
• If for these dignities thou be envied,
• I'll give thee more; for, but to honour thee,
• Is Edward pleased with kingly regiment.1
• Fear'st thou thy person? thou shalt have a guard.
• Wantest thou gold? go to my treasury.
• Wouldst thou be loved and feared? receive my seal;
• Save or condemn, and in our name command
• Whatso thy mind affects, or fancy likes.

Gav.

• It shall suffice me to enjoy your love,

  170

• Which whiles I have, I think myself as great
• As Cæsar riding in the Roman street,
• With captive kings at his triumphant car.
• Enter theBishopofCoventry.

Edw.

• Whither goes my lord of Coventry so fast?

Bish.

• To celebrate your father's exequies.
• But is that wicked Gaveston returned?

Edw.

• Ay, priest, and lives to be revenged 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.

  180

Bish.

• I did no more than I was bound to do;
• And, Gaveston, unless thou be reclaimed,
• 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.

Edw.

• Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole,
• And in the channel1 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,

  190

• I'll be revenged on him for my exile.

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.

Edw.

• Ay, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt.

Bish.

• For this offence, be thou accurst of God!

Edw.

• Who's there? Convey this priest to the Tower.

Bish.

• True, true.2

  200

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 best1 beseem his holiness.
• [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter2 both theMortimers, Warwick, andLancaster.

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!
• This ground, which is corrupted with their steps,
• Shall be their timeless3 sepulchre or mine.

Y. Mor.

• Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure;
• Unless his breast be sword-proof he shall die.

E. Mor.

• How now, why droops the Earl of Lancaster?

Y. Mor.

• Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent?

  10

Lan.

• That villain Gaveston is made an earl.

E. Mor.

• An earl!

War.

• Ay, and besides Lord Chamberlain of the realm,
• And Secretary too, and Lord of Man.

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,
• For vailing of his bonnet, one good look.
• Thus, arm in arm, the king and he doth march:

  20

• Nay more, the guard upon his lordship waits;
• And all the court begins to flatter him.

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 stomach1 him, but none dare speak a word.

Y. Mor.

• Ah, that bewrays their baseness, Lancaster.
• Were all the earls and barons of my mind,
• We'd2 hale him from the bosom of the king,

• And at the court-gate hang the peasant up;

  30

• Who, swoln with venom of ambitious pride,
• Will be the ruin of the realm and us.
• Enter theArchbishopofCanterburyand a Messenger.

War.

• Here comes my Lord of Canterbury's grace.

Lan.

• His countenance bewrays he is displeased.

Archbish.

• First were his sacred garments rent and torn,
• Then laid they violent hands upon him; next
• Himself imprisoned, and his goods asseized:
• This certify the pope;—away, take horse.
• [Exit Messenger.

Lan.

• My lord, will you take arms against the king?

Archbish.

• What need I? God himself is up in arms,

  40

• 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?

Archbish.

• What else, my lords? for it concerns me near;—
• The bishoprick of Coventry is his.
• EnterQueenIsabella.

Y. Mor.

• Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast?

Queen.

• Unto the forest,1 gentle Mortimer,
• To live in grief and baleful discontent;
• For now, my lord, the king regards me not,
• But doats upon the love of Gaveston,

  50

• He claps his cheek, and hangs about his neck,
• Smiles in his face, and whispers in his ears;
• And when I come he frowns, as who should say,
• “Go whither thou wilt, seeing I have Gaveston.”

E. Mor.

• Is it not strange that he is thus bewitched?

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 revenged at full.

  60

Archbish.

• 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.

Queen.

• Then let him stay; for rather than my lord
• Shall be oppressed with civil mutinies,
• I will endure a melancholy life,

Archbish.

• 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

  70

• Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals.

Lan.

• What we confirm the king will frustrate.

Y. Mor.

• Then may we lawfully revolt from him.

War.

• But say, my lord, where shall this meeting be?

Archbish.

• At the New Temple.

Y. Mor.

• Content.
• [Archbish.] 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!

  80

Queen.

• 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.

SCENE III.

Enter1Gavestonand theEarlofKent.

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 toward Lambeth—there let them remain.
• [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Enter2Noblesand theArchbishopofCanterbury.

Lan.

• Here is the form of Gaveston's exile:
• May it please your lordship to subscribe your name.

Archbish.

• Give me the paper.
• [He subscribes, as the others do after him.

Lan.

• Quick, quick, my lord; I long to write my name.

War.

• But I long more to see him banished hence.

Y. Mor.

• The name of Mortimer shall fright the king,
• Unless he be declined from that base peasant.
• Enter theKing, Gaveston, andKent.

Edw.

• What, are you moved that Gaveston sits here?
• It is our pleasure, and we will have it so.

Lan.

• Your grace doth well to place him by your side,

  10

• 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?
• War Ignoble vassal, that like Phaeton
• Aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun.

Y. Mor.

• Their downfall is at hand, their forces down
• We will not thus be faced and over-peered.

Edw.

• Lay hands on2 that traitor Mortimer!

  20

E. Mor.

• Lay hands on that traitor Gaveston!

Kent.

• Is this the duty that you owe your king?

War.

• We know our duties—let him know his peers.

Edw.

• Whither will you bear him? Stay, or ye shall die.

E. Mor.

• We are no traitors; therefore threaten not.

Gav.

• No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home!
• Were I a king——

Y. Mor.

• Thou villain, wherefore talk'st thou of a king,
• That hardly art a gentleman by birth?

Edw.

• Were he a peasant, being my minion,

  30

• 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 removeKentandGaveston.

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-ruled as I?

Lan.

• Learn then to rule us better, and the realm.

Y. Mor.

• What we have done, our heart-blood shall maintain.

  40

War.

• Think you that we can brook this upstart pride?

Edw.

• Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech.

Archbish.

• Why are you moved? be patient, my lord,
• And see what we your counsellors have done.

Y. Mor.

• My lords, now let us all be resolute,
• And either have our wills or lose our lives.

Edw.

• Meet you for this? proud overbearing peers!
• Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me,
• This isle shall fleet1 upon the ocean,
• And wander to the unfrequented Inde.

  50

Archbish.

• 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.

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.

Archbish.

• Remember how the bishop was abused!
• Either banish him that was the cause thereof,

  60

• Or I will presently discharge these lords1
• Of duty and allegiance due to thee.

Edw.

• It boots me not to threat—I must speak fair:
• The legate of the pope will be obeyed.
• [Aside.
• My lord, you shall be Chancellor of the realm;
• Thou, Lancaster, High Admiral of the fleet;
• Young Mortimer and his uncle shall be earls;
• And you, Lord Warwick, President of the North;
• And thou of Wales. If this content you not,
• Make several kingdoms of this monarchy,

  70

• And share it equally amongst you all,
• So I may have some nook or corner left,
• To frolic with my dearest Gaveston.

Archbish.

• Nothing shall alter us—we are resolved.

Lan.

• Come, come, subscribe.

Y. Mor.

• Why should you love him whom the world hates so?

Edw.

• Because he loves me more than all the world.
• Ah, none but rude and savage-minded men
• Would seek the ruin of my Gaveston;
• You that be2 noble-born should pity him.

  80

War.

• You that are princely-born should shake him off:
• For shame subscribe, and let the lown3 depart.

E. Mor.

• Urge him, my lord.

Archbish.

• Are you content to banish him the realm?

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.

Edw.

• 'Tis done—and now, accursèd hand, fall off!

Lan.

• Give it me—I'll have it published in the streets.

Y. Mor.

• I'll see him presently despatched away.

  90

Archbish.

• 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.

Edw.

• How fast they run to banish him I love!
• They would not stir, were it to do me good.
• Why should a king be subject to a priest?
• Proud Rome! that hatchest such imperial grooms,
• For1 these thy superstitious taper-lights,
• Wherewith thy antichristian churches blaze,
• I'll fire thy crazèd buildings, and enforce

  100

• The papal towers to kiss the lowly ground!2
• With slaughtered priests make3 Tiber's channel swell,
• And banks raised higher with their sepulchres!
• As for the peers, that back the clergy thus,
• If I be king, not one of them shall live.
• EnterGaveston.

Gav.

• My lord, I hear it whispered everywhere,
• That I am banished, and must fly the land.

Edw.

• 'Tis true, sweet Gaveston—O! were it false!
• The legate of the Pope will have it so,
• And thou must hence, or I shall be deposed.

  110

• But I will reign to be revenged of them;
• And therefore, sweet friend, take it patiently.
• Live where thou wilt, I'll send thee gold enough;
• And long thou shalt not stay, or if thou dost,

Gav.

• Is all my hope turned to this hell of grief?

Edw.

• Rend not my heart with thy too-piercing words:
• Thou from this land, I from myself am banished.

Gav.

• To go from hence grieves not poor Gaveston;
• But to forsake you, in whose gracious looks

  120

• The blessedness of Gaveston remains:
• For nowhere else seeks he felicity.

Edw.

• And only this torments my wretched soul,
• That, whether I will or no, thou must depart.
• Be governor of Ireland in my stead,
• And there abide till fortune call thee home.
• Here take my picture, and let me wear thine;
• [They exchange pictures.
• O, might I keep thee here as I do this,
• Happy were I! but now most miserable!

Gav.

• 'Tis something to be pitied of a king.

  130

Edw.

• Thou shalt not hence—I'll hide thee, Gaveston.

Gav.

• I shall be found, and then 'twill grieve me more.

Edw.

• Kind words, and mutual talk makes our grief greater:
• Therefore, with dumb embracement, let us part—
• Stay, Gaveston, I cannot leave thee thus.

Gav.

• For every look, my lord1 drops down a tear:
• Seeing I must go, do not renew my sorrow.

Edw.

• The time is little that thou hast to stay,
• And, therefore, give me leave to look my fill:
• But come, sweet friend, I'll bear thee on thy way.

  140

Gav.

• The peers will frown.

Edw.

• I pass2 not for their anger—Come, let's go;
• O that we might as well return as go.
• EnterKent3 and Queen Isabel.

Queen.

• Whither goes my lord?

Edw.

• Fawn not on me, French strumpet! get thee gone.

Queen.

• On whom but on my husband should I fawn?

Gav.

• On Mortimer! with whom, ungentle queen—
• I say no more—judge you the rest, my lord.

Queen.

• In saying this, thou wrong'st me, Gaveston;
• Is't not enough that thou corrupt'st my lord,

  150

• And art a bawd to his affections,
• But thou must call mine honour thus in question?

Gav.

• I mean not so; your grace must pardon me.

Edw.

• Thou art too familiar with that Mortimer,
• And by thy means is Gaveston exiled;
• But I would wish thee reconcile the lords,
• Or thou shalt ne'er be reconciled to me.

Queen.

• Your highness knows it lies not in my power.

Edw.

• Away then! touch me not—Come, Gaveston.

Queen.

• Villain! 'tis thou that robb'st me of my lord.

  160

Gav.

• Madam, 'tis you that rob me of my lord.

Edw.

• Speak not unto her; let her droop and pine.

Queen.

• Wherein, my lord, have I deserved these words?
• Witness the tears that Isabella sheds,
• Witness this heart, that sighing for thee, breaks,
• How dear my lord is to poor Isabel.

Edw.

• And witness heaven how dear thou art to me:
• There weep: for till my Gaveston be repealed,
• Assure thyself thou com'st not in my sight.
• [ExeuntEdwardandGaveston.

Queen.

• O miserable and distressèd queen!

  170

• Would, when I left sweet France and was embarked,
• That charming Circe1 walking on the waves,
• Had changed my shape, or at2 the marriage-day
• The cup of Hymen had been full of poison,
• Or with those arms that twined about my neck
• I had been stifled, and not lived to see
• The king my lord thus to abandon me!
• Like frantic Juno will I fill the earth
• With ghastly murmur of my sighs and cries;
• For never doated Jove on Ganymede

  180

• So much as he on cursèd Gaveston:
• But that will more exasperate his wrath:
• I must entreat him, I must speak him fair,
• And be a means to call home Gaveston:
• And yet he'll ever doat on Gaveston:
• And so am I for ever miserable.
• Enter the Nobles.

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 injuries1 such a saint.

  190

Y. Mor.

• I know 'tis 'long of Gaveston she weeps.

E. Mor.

• Why, he is gone.

Y. Mor.

• Madam, how fares your grace?

Queen.

• 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.

Queen.

• 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.

Queen.

• O never, Lancaster! I am enjoined

  200

• To sue upon you all for his repeal;
• This wills my lord, and this must I perform,

Lan.

• For his repeal, madam! he comes not back,
• Unless the sea cast up his shipwrecked 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?

Queen.

• Ay, Mortimer, for till he be restored,
• The angry king hath banished me the court;

  210

• And, therefore, as thou lov'st and tender'st 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 resolved.

Lan.

• And so am I, my lord: dissuade the queen.

Queen.

• O Lancaster! let him dissuade the king,
• For 'tis against my will he should return.

War.

• Then speak not for him, let the peasant go.

Queen.

• 'Tis for myself I speak, and not for him.

Pem.

• No speaking will prevail,1 and therefore cease.

  220

Y. Mor.

• Fair queen, forbear to angle for the fish
• Which, being caught, strikes him that takes it dead;
• I mean that vile torpedo, Gaveston,
• That now, I hope, floats on the Irish seas.

Queen.

• Sweet Mortimer, sit down by me awhile,
• And I will tell thee reasons of such weight
• As thou wilt soon subscribe to his repeal.

Y. Mor.

• It is impossible; but speak your mind.

Queen.

• Then thus, but none shall hear it but ourselves.
• [Talks toY. Mor. apart.

Lan.

• My lords, albeit the queen win Mortimer,

  230

• Will you be resolute, and hold with me?

E. Mor.

• Not I, against my nephew.

Pem.

• Fear not, the queen's words cannot alter him.

War.

• No? do but mark how earnestly she pleads!

Lan.

• And see how coldly his looks make denial!

War.

• She smiles; now for my life his mind is changed'

Lan.

• I'll rather lose his friendship, I, than grant.

Y. Mor.

• Well, of necessity it must be so.
• My lords, that I abhor base Gaveston,
• I hope your honours make no question,

  240

• And therefore, though I plead for his repeal,
• 'Tis not for his sake, but for our avail;
• Nay for the realm's behoof, and for the king's.

Lan.

• Fie, Mortimer, dishonour not thyself!
• Can this be true, 'twas good to banish him?
• And is this true, to call him home again?
• Such reasons make white black, and dark night day.

Y. Mor.

• My lord of Lancaster, mark the respect.1

Lan.

• In no respect can contraries be true.

Queen.

• Yet, good my lord, hear what he can allege.

  250

War.

• All that he speaks is nothing; we are resolved.

Y. Mor.

• Do you not wish that Gaveston were dead?

Pem.

• I would he were.

Y. Mor.

• Why then, my lord, give me but leave to speak.

E. Mor.

• But, nephew, do not play the sophister.

Y. Mor.

• This which I urge is of a burning zeal
• To mend the king, and do our country good.
• Know you not Gaveston hath store of gold,
• Which may in Ireland purchase him such friends
• As he will front the mightiest of us all?

  260

• And whereas he shall live and be beloved,
• 'Tis hard for us to work his overthrow.

War.

• Mark you but that, my lord of Lancaster.

Y. Mor.

• But were he here, detested as he is,
• How easily might some base slave be suborned
• To greet his lordship with a poniard,
• And none so much as blame the murderer,
• But rather praise him for that brave attempt,
• And in the chronicle enrol his name
• For purging of the realm of such a plague!

  270

Pem.

• He saith true.

Lan.

• Ay, but how chance this was not done before?

Y. Mor.

• Because, my lords, it was not thought upon.
• Nay, more, when he shall know it lies in us
• To banish him, and then to call him home,
• 'Twill make him vail1 the top-flag of his pride,
• And fear to offend the meanest nobleman.

E. Mor.

• But how if he do not, nephew?

Y. Mor.

• Then may we with some colour rise in arms;
• For howsoever we have borne it out,

  280

• 'Tis treason to be up against the king;
• So we shall have the people of our side,
• Which for his father's sake lean to the king,
• But cannot brook a night-grown mushroom,
• Such a one as my lord of Cornwall is,
• Should bear us down of the nobility.
• And when the commons and the nobles join,
• 'Tis not the king can buckler Gaveston;
• We'll pull him from the strongest hold he hath.
• My lords, if to perform this I be slack,

  290

• Think me as base a groom as Gaveston.

Lan.

• On that condition, Lancaster will grant.

War.

• And so will Pembroke and I.

E. Mor.

• And I.

Y. Mor.

• In this I count me highly gratified,
• And Mortimer will rest at your command.

Queen.

• And when this favour Isabel forgets,
• Then let her live abandoned and forlorn.
• But see, in happy time, my lord the king,
• Having brought the Earl of Cornwall on his way,

  300

• Is new returned; this news will glad him much;
• Yet not so much as me; I love him more
• Than he can Gaveston; would he love me
• But half so much, then were I treble-blessed!
• Enter KingEdward, mourning.

Edw.

• He's gone, and for his absence thus I mourn.
• Did never sorrow go so near my heart
• As doth the want of my sweet Gaveston;
• And could my crown's revenue bring him back,
• I would freely give it to his enemies,
• And think I gained, having bought so dear a friend.

  310

Queen.

• Hark! how he harps upon his minion.

Edw.

• My heart is as an anvil unto sorrow,
• Which beats upon it like the Cyclops' hammers,
• And with the noise turns up my giddy brain,
• And makes me frantic for my Gaveston.
• Ah! had some bloodless fury rose from hell,
• And with my kingly sceptre struck me dead,
• When I was forced to leave my Gaveston!

Lan.

• Diablo! what passions call you these?

Queen.

• My gracious lord, I come to bring you news.

  320

Edw.

• That you have parled with your Mortimer?

Queen.

• That Gaveston, my lord, shall be repealed.

Edw.

• Repealed! the news is too sweet to be true!

Queen.

• But will you love me, if you find it so?

Edw.

• If it be so, what will not Edward do?

Queen.

• For Gaveston, but not for Isabel.

Edw.

• For thee, fair queen, if thou lov'st Gaveston;
• I'll hang a golden tongue about thy neck,
• Seeing thou hast pleaded with so good success.

Queen.

• No other jewels hang about my neck

  330

• Than these, my lord; nor let me have more wealth
• Than I may fetch from this rich treasury—
• O how a kiss revives poor Isabel!

Edw.

• Once more receive my hand; and let this be
• A second marriage 'twixt thyself and me.

Queen.

• And may it prove more happy than the first!
• My gentle lord, bespeak these nobles fair,
• That wait attendance for a gracious look,
• And on their knees salute your majesty.

Edw.

• Courageous Lancaster, embrace thy king;

  340

• And, as gross vapours perish by the sun,
• Even so let hatred with thy sovereign's1 smile.
• Live thou with me as my companion.

Lan.

• This salutation overjoys my heart.

Edw.

• Warwick shall be my chiefest counsellor:
• These silver hairs will more adorn my court
• Than gaudy silks, or rich embroidery.

War.

• Slay me, my lord, when I offend your grace.

Edw.

• In solemn triumphs, and in public shows,

  350

• Pembroke shall bear the sword before the king.

Pem.

• And with this sword Pembroke will fight for you.

Edw.

• But wherefore walks young Mortimer aside?
• Be thou commander of our royal fleet;
• Or, if that lofty office like thee not,
• I make thee here Lord Marshal of the realm.

Y. Mor.

• My lord, I'll marshal so your enemies,
• As England shall be quiet, and you safe.

Edw.

• And as for you, Lord Mortimer of Chirke,
• Whose great achievements in our foreign war

  360

• Deserves no common place, nor mean reward;
• Be you the general of the levied troops,
• That now are ready to assail the Scots.

E. Mor.

• In this your grace hath highly honoured me,
• For with my nature war doth best agree.

Queen.

• Now is the king of England rich and strong,
• Having the love of his renownèd peers.

Edw.

• Ay, Isabel, ne'er was my heart so light.
• Clerk of the crown, direct our warrant forth
• For Gaveston to Ireland:
• [EnterBeaumontwith warrant.]
• Beaumont, fly

  370

• As fast as Iris or Jove's Mercury.

Bea.

• It shall be done, my gracious lord.

Edw.

• Lord Mortimer, we leave you to your charge.
• Now let us in, and feast it royally.
• Against our friend the Earl of Cornwall comes,
• We'll have a general tilt and tournament;
• And then his marriage shall be solemnised.
• For wot you not that I have made him sure1
• Unto our cousin, the Earl of Gloucester's heir?

Lan.

• Such news we hear, my lord.

  380

Edw.

• That day, if not for him, yet for my sake,
• Who in the triumph will be challenger,
• Spare for no cost; we will requite your love.

War.

• In this, or aught your highness shall command us.

Edw.

• Thanks, gentle Warwick: come, let's in and revel.
• [Exeunt. Manent theMortimers.

E. Mor.

• Nephew, I must to Scotland; thou stayest here.
• Leave now t'oppose thyself against the king.
• Thou seest by nature he is mild and calm,
• And, seeing his mind so doats on Gaveston,
• Let him without controulment have his will.

  390

• The mightiest kings have had their minions:
• Great Alexander loved Hephestion;
• The conquering Hercules1 for his Hylas wept;
• And for Patroclus stern Achilles drooped.
• And not kings only, but the wisest men:
• The Roman Tully loved Octavius;
• Grave Socrates wild Alcibiades.
• Then let his grace, whose youth is flexible,
• And promiseth as much as we can wish,
• Freely enjoy that vain, light-headed earl;

  400

• For riper years will wean him from such toys.

Y. Mor.

• Uncle, his wanton humour grieves not me;
• But this I scorn, that one so basely born
• Should by his sovereign's favour grow so pert,
• And riot it with the treasure of the realm.
• While soldiers mutiny for want of pay,
• He wears a lord's revenue on his back,2
• And Midas-like, he jets it in the court,
• With base outlandish cullions3 at his heels,
• Whose proud fantastic liveries make such show,

  410

• As if that Proteus, god of shapes, appeared.
• I have not seen a dapper Jack so brisk;
• He wears a short Italian hooded cloak,
• Larded with pearl, and, in his Tuscan cap,
• A jewel of more value than the crown.
• While other4 walk below, the king and he
• From out a window laugh at such as we,
• And flout our train, and jest at our attire.
• Uncle, 'tis this makes me impatient.

  419

E. Mor.

• But, nephew, now you see the king is changed.

Y. Mor.

• Then so am I, and live to do him service:
• But whiles I have a sword, a hand, a heart,
• I will not yield to any such upstart.
• You know my mind; come, uncle, let's away.
• [Exeunt.

[1]Scene: a street in London.

[2]So 4tos.—Dyce gives “lie;” but “die” may perhaps be interpreted as “swoon.”

[1]Cf. Day's Parliament of Bees:—

• “Yet if you meet a tart antagonist,
• Or discontented rugged satirist,
• That slights your errant or his art that penned it,
• Cry Tanti!”
• So in the Prologue to Day's Isle of Gulls:—
• “Detraction he scorns, honours the best:
• Tanti for hate, thus low for all the rest.”

[2]So Dyce.—4tos. “fanne.”

[1]Mr. Tancock quotes from Pliny's Natural History:— “Hystrici longiores aculei et cum intendit cutem missiles. Ora urgentium figit canum et paulo longius jaculatur.”

[2]So the 4tos.—Dyce reads “sylvan.”

[1]The name of a rustic dance.

[2]So the 4tos.—Dyce reads “shall”

[3]The 4tos. read, “My lord, here comes the king and the nobles.” Dyce gives, “Here comes my lord the king and the nobles.” Mr. Fleay arranges the passage thus:—

• “Here comes my lord
• The king and th' nobles from the parliament.
• I'll stand aside.”

[1]Equivalent to a dissyllable.

[2]Cf. 3 Henry VI., v. 6, “aspiring blood of Lancaster.”

[1]I have kept the form found in ed. 1598, as a trisyllable is here required.

[2]Dyce's correction “leave” seems unnecessary. Warwick is speaking ironically.

[1]Dyce altered “Gaveston” to “Lancaster;” but the language is ironical.

[2]Fight, contend. The word is borrowed from the game of tennis.

[3]Ed. 1598, “mourned for Hercules.” Eds. 1612,1622, “mourned for of Hercules “—and so Dyce.

[1]Rule. Cf, 1 Tamburlaine, i, 1,1. 119.

[1]Kennel, gutter.

[2]Dyce proposed to read “Prut prut!” others suppose that the bishop is playing on the word “convey,” which was a cant term for “steal” Cf. Richard II., iv. 1, 1. 113:—

• ”Bol. Go, some of you, convey him to the Tower.
• King. O good! convey! conveyers are you all.”

[1]So eds, 1612, 1622.—Ed. 1598 omits “best.”

[2]Scene. Westminster.

[3]Untimely.

[1]Are angry at him. We have the word again later in the play—

• “I know, my lord, many will stomach me.”

[2]Old eds. “Weele.”

[1]It is not absolutely necessary to suppose that there is an allusion to any particular forest. What the queen means is that she is seeking solitude.

[1]Scene: a street.

[2]Scene: the New Temple (cf. 11. 74-5 of scene ii.). At the entrance of the king we are to suppose a change of scene.

[1]“Was the poet thinking of Ovid, ‘Non bene conveniunt,’ &c. Met. ii. 846?”—Dyce.

[2]Perhaps we should read “upon”: but “traitor” may be pronounced as a trisyllable by inserting a vowel sound before the first r.

[1]Float.

[1]So ed. 1612.—Ed. 1598 “Lord.”

[2]So ed. 1598.—Ed. 1612 “are.”

[3]Loon, worthless fellow.

[1]So ed. 1598.—Dyce prints “with,” and neglects—contrary to his custom—to record the reading of the earlier copies.

[2]This line and the preceding occur with slight alteration in the Massacre of Paris:—

• “I'll fire his crazèd buildings and incense
• The papal towers to kiss the holy [sic] earth.”

[3]4tos. “may.”

[1]So the old copies.—Dyce reads “My love drops down a tear.”

[2]Care.

[3]“The entrance of Kent seems to have been marked here by mistake.”—Dyce.

[1]4tos. “Circes.”

[2]So ed. 1598.—Ed. 1612 “that.”

[1]So ed. 1598.—Dyce (who retains the verb “injury” in 1 Tamburlaine, i. 1) prints silently “injures.”

[1]Avail.

[1]Regard, consideration. Cf. Hamlet—

• “There's the respect
• That makes calamity of so long life.”

[1]Lower.

[1]So ed. 1612.—Ed. 1598 “soueraigne.”

[1]Affianced him.

[1]Eds. 1598, 1612, “Hector.” Ed. 1622 “The conquering Hector did for Hilas weepe.”

[2]Cf. 2 Henry VI., i.

• 3:—
• “She bears a duke's revenue on her back.”

[3]Worthless fellows.

[4]So eds. 1598.—Later eds. “others.”