If Y. Mor. Wigmore shall fly,' to set my uncle free. Look next to see us with our ensigns spread. [Exit with Young MORTIMER. Now let them thank themselves, and rue too late. K. Edw. Art thou an enemy to my Gaveston? K. Edw. Out of my sight, and trouble me no more! K. Edw. Away! Poor Gaveston, that has no friend but me, Do what they can, we'll live in Tynemouth here, And, so I walk with him about the walls, What care I though the earls begirt us round? [Exit KENT. Enter QUEEN ISABELLA with KING EDWARD's Niece, two Ladies, Q. Isab. My lord, 'tis thought the earls are up in arms. Gav. Why do you not commit him to the Tower? I Wigmore was the name of young Mortimer's estate. K. Edw. I dare not, for the people love him well. But let them go, and tell me what are these. Niece. Two of my father's servants whilst he liv'd,— May't please your grace to entertain them now. K. Edw. Tell me, where wast thou born? what is thine arms? Bald. My name is Baldock, and my gentry I fetch from Oxford, not from heraldry. K. Edw. The fitter art thou, Baldock, for my turn. K. Edw. Knowest thou him, Gaveston? His name is Spencer, he is well allied; For my sake, let him wait upon your grace; Scarce shall you find a man of more desert. K. Edw. Then, Spencer, wait upon me; for his sake Y. Spen. No greater titles happen unto me, Than to be favoured of your majesty ! K. Edw. Cousin, this day shall be your marriage feast. To wed thee to our niece, the only heir Unto the Earl of Gloucester late deceased. Gav. I know, my lord, many will stomach me, But I respect neither their love nor hate. K. Edw. The headstrong barons shall not limit me ; He that I list to favour shall be great. Come, let's away; and when the marriage ends, SCENE III.- NEAR TYNEMOUTH CASTLE [Exeunt. Enter KENT, LANCASTER, Young MORTIMER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and others. Kent. My lords, of love to this our native land I come to join with you and leave the king; To undermine us with a show of love. War. He is your brother, therefore have we cause To cast the worst, and doubt of your revolt. Kent. Mine honour shall be hostage of my truth: Y. Mor. Stay, Edmund; never was Plantagenet Pem. But what's the reason you should leave him now? Lan. And it sufficeth. Now, my lords, know this, That Gaveston is secretly arrived, And here in Tynemouth frolics with the king. Y. Mor. I'll give the onset. War. And I'll follow thee. Y. Mor. This tottered 2 ensign of my ancestors, Lan. None be so hardy as to touch the king; SCENE IV.-IN TYNEMOUTH CASTLE Enter severally KING EDWARD and Young SPENCER. K. Edw. O tell me, Spencer, where is Gaveston? [Exeunt. K. Edw. No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill. Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, KING EDWARD'S Niece, GAVESTON, and Nobles. Fly, fly, my lords, the earls have got the hold; Spencer and I will post away by land. Gav. O stay, my lord, they will not injure you. K. Edw. Lady, farewell. Niece. Farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again. ! K. Edw. Farewell, sweet Gaveston; and farewell, niece. 1 Conjecture. 2 Tattered. * In all Latin deeds the Mortimers are called “de Mortuo mari.”—Cunningham. K. Edw. Yes, yes, for Mortimer, your lover's sake. Q. Isab. Heaven can witness I love none but you: [Exeunt all but QUEEN ISABELLA. From my embracements thus he breaks away. O that mine arms could close this isle about, That I might pull him to me where I would! Or that these tears, that drizzle from mine eyes, Had power to mollify his stony heart, That when I had him we might never part. Enter LANCASTER, WARWICK, Young MORTIMER, and others. Lan. I wonder how he 'scaped! Y. Mor. Who's this? the queen! Q. Isab. Ay, Mortimer, the miserable queen, And all in vain; for, when I speak him fair, He turns away, and smiles upon his minion. Y. Mor. Cease to lament, and tell us where's the king? Far be it from the thought of Lancaster To offer violence to his sovereign. We would but rid the realm of Gaveston : Tell us where he remains, and he shall die. Q. Isab. He's gone by water unto Scarborough ; Pursue him quickly, and he can not 'scape; The king hath left him, and his train is small. I War. Foreslow no time, sweet Lancaster; let's march. Be easily suppressed; therefore be gone. Y. Mor. Here in the river rides a Flemish hoy; Let's all aboard, and follow him amain. Lan. The wind that bears him hence will fill our sails : Y. Mor. Madam, stay you within this castle here. I Delay. Q. Isab. You know the king is so suspicious, Y. Mor. Madam, I can not stay to answer you, [Exeunt all except QUEEN ISABELLA Q. Isab. So well hast thou deserved, sweet Mortimer As Isabel could live with thee for ever. In vain I look for love at Edward's hand, SCENE V.-THE OPEN COUNTRY Enter GAVESTON, pursued. Gav. Yet, lusty lords, I have escaped your hands, [Exit. Enter WARWICK, LANCASTER, PEMBROKE, Young MORTIMER, Soldiers, JAMES, and other Attendants of PEMBROKE. War. Upon him, soldiers, take away his weapons. Y. Mor. Thou proud disturber of thy country's peace, Base flatterer, yield! and were it not for shame, Upon my weapon's point here should'st thou fall, Lan. Monster of men! That, like the Greekish strumpet, 2 trained to arms Look for no other fortune, wretch, than death! King Edward is not here to buckler thee. 1 Ital., meaning "in spite of." 2 Helen of Troy. |