_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 sworn[172] 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?[173]

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! [_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; Therefore, if he be come, expel him straight.

_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 Moubery[174] 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 Preach upon poles, for trespa.s.s of their tongues.

_War._ O, our heads!

_Edw._ I, 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 brainsick king, And henceforth parley with our naked swords.

_E. Mor._ Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads.

_War._ All Warwickshire will love[175] him for my sake.

_Lan._ And northward Gaveston[176] 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_ n.o.bles.

_Edw._ I cannot brook these haughty menaces; Am I a king, and must be overruled?

Brother, display my ensigns in the field; I"ll bandy[177] 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 of[178] Hercules, Than thou hast been of me since thy exile.

_Gav._ And since I went from hence, no soul in h.e.l.l 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, Earl of Cornwall, King and Lord of Man.

_Gav._ My lord, these t.i.tles 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.[179]

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 Caesar riding in the Roman street, With captive kings at his triumphant car.

_Enter the_ BISHOP OF COVENTRY.

_Edw._ Whither goes my lord of Coventry so fast?

_Bish._ To celebrate your father"s exequies.

But is that wicked Gaveston returned?

_Edw._ I, 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 channel[180] 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 h.e.l.l, 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._ I, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt.

_Bish._ For this offence, be thou accurst of G.o.d!

_Edw._ Who"s there? Convey this priest to the Tower.

_Bish._ True, true.[181] 200