EDWARD THE SECOND G ACT I SCENE I.-A STREET IN LONDON Enter GAVESTON, reading a letter. AV. "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 So thou would'st smile, and take me in thine arms. That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away. Enter three Poor Men. Men. Such as desire your worship's service. First P. Man. I can ride. Gav. But I have no horse. What art thou? Gav. Let me see — thou would'st do well To wait at my trencher and tell me lies at dinner-time; And what art thou? Third P. 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. Third P. 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 And dart her plumes, thinking to pierce my breast. I'll flatter these, and make them live in hope. Gav. I have some business. Leave me to myself. I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits, Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night, By yelping hounds pulled down, shall seem to die ; 1 Or heydeguy, a rural dance. [Aside. [Exeunt. [Retires. Enter KING EDWARD, LANCASTER, the Elder MORTIMER, Young MORTIMER, KENT, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, and Attendants. K. Edw. Lancaster ! Lan. My lord. Gav. That Earl of Lancaster do I abhor. [Aside. K. Edw. Will you not grant me this? In spite of them [Aside. E. Mor. If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston. [Aside. Y. Mor. Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself, Were sworn to your father at his death, [Aside. K. 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, And hew these knees that now are grown so stiff. I will have Gaveston; and you shall know What danger 'tis to stand against your king. Gav. Well done, Ned! Lan. My lord, why do you thus incense your peers, [Aside. Kent. Barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute; Yet dare you brave the king unto his face. - K. Edw. Ay, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant — Y. Mor. I cannot, nor I will not; I must speak. – E. Mor. Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads. The glozing head of thy base minion thrown. [Exeunt all except KING EDWARD, KENT, GAVESTON and Attendants. K. Edw. I cannot brook these haughty menaces; Am I a king, and must be overruled? Brother, display my ensigns in the field; I I'll bandy 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. K. Edw. What, Gaveston! welcome !- Kiss not my hand Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee. Why should'st thou kneel? know'st thou not who I am? Not Hylas was more mourned of 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. K. 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; 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, I Contend. The expression is no doubt borrowed from the old game of bandy-ball, which was similar to golf. Earl of Cornwall, King and Lord of Man. Gav. My lord, these titles far exceed my worth. For one of greater birth than Gaveston. K. Edw. Cease, brother; for I cannot brook these words. Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts, 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.' Fear'st thou thy person? thou shalt have a guard : Wouldst thou be loved and feared? receive my seal; Gav. It shall suffice me to enjoy your love, Enter the BISHOP of COVENTRY. K. Edw. Whither goes my lord of Coventry so fast? K. Edw. Ay, priest, and lives to be revenged on thee, Gav. 'Tis true; and but for reverence of these robes, Thou should'st not plod one foot beyond this place. B. of Cov. 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. K. Edw. Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole, And in the channel 2 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 revenged on him for my exile. K. Edw. No, spare his life, but seize upon his goods: And make him serve thee as thy chaplain : |