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.

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.

ACT THE SECOND.

[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.”