Enter[290]theKing,Baldock,andYoung Spencer,flying about the stage.Y. Spen.Fly, fly, my lord! the queen is over-strong;Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail.Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe.Edw.What! was I born to fly and run away,And leave the Mortimers conquerors behind?Give me my horse, and let's re'nforce our troops:And in this bed of honour die with fame.Bald.O no, my lord, this princely resolutionFits not the time; away, we are pursued. [Exeunt.EnterKentalone, with his sword and target.Kent.This way he fled, but I am come too late.10Edward, alas! my heart relents for thee.Proud traitor, Mortimer, why dost thou chaseThy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword?Vild wretch! and why hast thou, of all unkind,Borne arms against thy brother and thy king?Rain showers of vengeance on my cursèd head,Thou God, to whom in justice it belongsTo punish this unnatural revolt!Edward, this Mortimer aims at thy life!O fly him, then! but, Edmund, calm this rage,20Dissemble, or thou diest; for MortimerAnd Isabel do kiss, while they conspire:And yet she bears a face of love forsooth.Fie on that love that hatcheth death and hate!Edmund, away; Bristow to Longshanks' bloodIs false; be not found single for suspect:Proud Mortimer pries near unto thy walks.Enter theQueen,Mortimer,theYoung Prince,andSir John of Hainault.Queen.Successful[291]battle gives the God of kingsTo them that fight in right, and fear his wrath.Since then successfully we have prevailed,30Thankèd be heaven's great architect, and you.Ere farther we proceed, my noble lords,We here create our well-belovèd son,Of love and care unto his royal person,Lord Warden of the realm, and sith the fatesHave made his father so infortunate,Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords,As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all.Kent.Madam, without offence, if I may ask,How will you deal with Edward in his fall?40Prince.Tell me, good uncle, what Edward do you mean?Kent.Nephew, your father: I dare not call him king.Mor.My lord of Kent, what needs these questions?'Tis not in her controlment, nor in ours,But as the realm and parliament shall please,So shall your brother be disposèd of.—I like not this relenting mood in Edmund.Madam, 'tis good to look to him betimes. [Aside to theQueen.Queen.My lord, the Mayor of Bristow knows our mind.Y. Mor.Yea, madam, and they scape not easily50That fled the field.Queen.Baldock is with the king.A goodly chancellor, is he not, my lord?Sir J.So are the Spencers, the father and the son.Kent.[292]This Edward is the ruin of the realm.EnterRice ap Howell,and theMayor of Bristow,withOld Spencerprisoner.Rice.God save queen Isabel, and her princely son!Madam, the mayor and citizens of Bristow,In sign of love and duty to this presence,Present by me this traitor to the state,Spencer, the father to that wanton Spencer,That, like the lawless Catiline of Rome,60Revelled in England's wealth and treasury.Queen.We thank you all.Y. Mor.Your loving care in thisDeserveth princely favours and rewards.But where's the king and the other Spencer fled?Rice.Spencer the son, created Earl of Gloucester,Is with that smooth-tongued scholar Baldock gone,And shipped but late for Ireland with the king.Y. Mor.Some whirlwind fetch them back or sink them all! [Aside.They shall be started thence, I doubt it not.Prince.Shall I not see the king my father yet?70Kent.Unhappy 's Edward, chased from England's bounds. [Aside.Sir. J.Madam, what resteth, why stand you in a muse?Queen.I rue my lord's ill-fortune; but alas!Care of my country called me to this war.Y. Mor.Madam, have done with care and sad complaint;Your King hath wronged your country and himself,And we must seek to right it as we may.Meanwhile, have hence this rebel to the block.O. Spen.Rebel is he that fights against the prince;So fought not they that fought in Edward's right.80Y. Mor.Take him away, he prates; you, Rice ap Howell,Shall do good service to her majesty,Being of countenance in your country here,To follow these rebellious runagates.We in meanwhile, madam, must take advice,How Baldock, Spencer, and their complices,May in their fall be followed to their end.[Exeunt Omnes.
Enter[290]theKing,Baldock,andYoung Spencer,flying about the stage.
Y. Spen.Fly, fly, my lord! the queen is over-strong;Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail.Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe.
Edw.What! was I born to fly and run away,And leave the Mortimers conquerors behind?Give me my horse, and let's re'nforce our troops:And in this bed of honour die with fame.
Bald.O no, my lord, this princely resolutionFits not the time; away, we are pursued. [Exeunt.
EnterKentalone, with his sword and target.
Kent.This way he fled, but I am come too late.10Edward, alas! my heart relents for thee.Proud traitor, Mortimer, why dost thou chaseThy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword?Vild wretch! and why hast thou, of all unkind,Borne arms against thy brother and thy king?Rain showers of vengeance on my cursèd head,Thou God, to whom in justice it belongsTo punish this unnatural revolt!Edward, this Mortimer aims at thy life!O fly him, then! but, Edmund, calm this rage,20Dissemble, or thou diest; for MortimerAnd Isabel do kiss, while they conspire:And yet she bears a face of love forsooth.Fie on that love that hatcheth death and hate!Edmund, away; Bristow to Longshanks' bloodIs false; be not found single for suspect:Proud Mortimer pries near unto thy walks.
Enter theQueen,Mortimer,theYoung Prince,andSir John of Hainault.
Queen.Successful[291]battle gives the God of kingsTo them that fight in right, and fear his wrath.Since then successfully we have prevailed,30Thankèd be heaven's great architect, and you.Ere farther we proceed, my noble lords,We here create our well-belovèd son,Of love and care unto his royal person,Lord Warden of the realm, and sith the fatesHave made his father so infortunate,Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords,As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all.
Kent.Madam, without offence, if I may ask,How will you deal with Edward in his fall?40
Prince.Tell me, good uncle, what Edward do you mean?
Kent.Nephew, your father: I dare not call him king.
Mor.My lord of Kent, what needs these questions?'Tis not in her controlment, nor in ours,But as the realm and parliament shall please,So shall your brother be disposèd of.—I like not this relenting mood in Edmund.Madam, 'tis good to look to him betimes. [Aside to theQueen.
Queen.My lord, the Mayor of Bristow knows our mind.
Y. Mor.Yea, madam, and they scape not easily50That fled the field.
Queen.Baldock is with the king.A goodly chancellor, is he not, my lord?
Sir J.So are the Spencers, the father and the son.
Kent.[292]This Edward is the ruin of the realm.
EnterRice ap Howell,and theMayor of Bristow,withOld Spencerprisoner.
Rice.God save queen Isabel, and her princely son!Madam, the mayor and citizens of Bristow,In sign of love and duty to this presence,Present by me this traitor to the state,Spencer, the father to that wanton Spencer,That, like the lawless Catiline of Rome,60Revelled in England's wealth and treasury.
Queen.We thank you all.
Y. Mor.Your loving care in thisDeserveth princely favours and rewards.But where's the king and the other Spencer fled?
Rice.Spencer the son, created Earl of Gloucester,Is with that smooth-tongued scholar Baldock gone,And shipped but late for Ireland with the king.
Y. Mor.Some whirlwind fetch them back or sink them all! [Aside.They shall be started thence, I doubt it not.
Prince.Shall I not see the king my father yet?70
Kent.Unhappy 's Edward, chased from England's bounds. [Aside.
Sir. J.Madam, what resteth, why stand you in a muse?
Queen.I rue my lord's ill-fortune; but alas!Care of my country called me to this war.
Y. Mor.Madam, have done with care and sad complaint;Your King hath wronged your country and himself,And we must seek to right it as we may.Meanwhile, have hence this rebel to the block.
O. Spen.Rebel is he that fights against the prince;So fought not they that fought in Edward's right.80
Y. Mor.Take him away, he prates; you, Rice ap Howell,Shall do good service to her majesty,Being of countenance in your country here,To follow these rebellious runagates.We in meanwhile, madam, must take advice,How Baldock, Spencer, and their complices,May in their fall be followed to their end.[Exeunt Omnes.
Enter[293]theAbbot, Monks,Edward,Young Spencer,andBaldock.Abbot.Have you no doubt, my lord; have you no fear;As silent and as careful we will be,To keep your royal person safe with us,Free from suspect, and fell invasionOf such as have your majesty in chase,Yourself, and those your chosen company,As danger of this stormy time requires.Edw.Father, thy face should harbour no deceit.O! hadst thou ever been a king, thy heart,Pierced deeply with [a] sense of my distress,10Could not but take compassion of my state.Stately and proud, in riches and in train,Whilom I was, powerful, and full of pomp:But what is he whom rule and emperyHave not in life or death made miserable?Come, Spencer; come, Baldock, come, sit down by me;Make trial now of that[294]philosophy,That in our famous nurseries of artsThou suck'dst from Plato and from Aristotle.Father, this life contemplative is heaven.20O that I might this life in quiet lead!But we, alas! are chased; and you, my friends,Your lives and my dishonour they pursue.Yet, gentle monks, for treasure, gold nor fee,Do you betray us and our company.Monk.Your grace may sit secure, if none but weDo wot of your abode.Y. Spen.Not one alive, but shrewdly I suspectA gloomy fellow in a mead below.'A gave a long look after us, my lord,30And all the land I know is up in arms,Arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate.Bald.We were embarked for Ireland, wretched we!With awkward winds and sore[295]tempests drivenTo fall on shore, and here to pine in fearOf Mortimer and his confederates.Edw.Mortimer! who talks of Mortimer?Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer,That bloody man? Good father, on thy lapLay I this head, laden with mickle care.40O might I never ope[296]these eyes again!Never again lift up this drooping head!O never more lift up this dying heart!Y. Spen.Look up, my lord.—Baldock, this drowsinessBetides no good; here even we are betrayed.Enter, with Welsh hooks,Rice ap Howell,aMower,and theEarl of Leicester.Mow.Upon my life, these be the men ye seek.Rice.Fellow, enough.—My lord, I pray be short,A fair commission warrants what we do.Leices.The queen's commission, urged by Mortimer;What cannot gallant Mortimer with the queen?50Alas! see where he sits, and hopes unseenTo escape their hands that seek to reave his life.Too true it is,Quem[297]dies vidit veniens superbum,Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem.But, Leicester, leave to grow so passionate.Spencer and Baldock, by no other names.I [do] arrest you of high treason here.Stand not on titles, but obey th' arrest;'Tis in the name of Isabel the queen.My lord, why droop you thus?60Edw.O day the last of all my bliss on earth!Centre of all misfortune! O my stars,Why do you lour unkindly on a king?Come[s] Leicester, then in Isabella's nameTo take my life, my company from me?Here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine,And take my heart in rescue of my friends!Rice.Away with them!Y. Spen.It may become thee yetTo let us take our farewell of his grace.Abbot.My heart with pity earns[298]to see this sight,70A king to bear these words and proud commands.Edw.Spencer, ah, sweet Spencer, thus then must we part?Y. Spen.We must, my lord, so will the angry heavens.Edw.Nay, so will hell and cruel Mortimer;The gentle heavens have not to do in this.Bald.My lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm.Here humbly of your grace we take our leaves;Our lots are cast; I fear me, so is thine.Edw.In heaven we may, in earth ne'er shall we meet:And, Leicester, say, what shall become of us?80Leices.Your majesty must go to Killingworth.Edw.Must! it is somewhat hard, when kings must go.Leices.Here is a litter ready for your grace,That waits your pleasure, and the day grows old.Rice.As good be gone, as stay and be benighted.Edw.A litter hast thou? lay me in a hearse,And to the gates of hell convey me hence;Let Pluto's bells ring out my fatal knell,And hags howl for my death at Charon's shore,For friend hath Edward none, but these and these:[299]90And these must die under a tyrant's sword.Rice.My lord, be going; care not for these,For we shall see them shorter by the heads.Edw.Well, that shall be, shall be: part we must!Sweet Spencer, gentle Baldock, part we must!Hence feignèd weeds! unfeignèd are my woes; [Casts off his disguise.Father, farewell! Leicester, thou stay'st for me,And go I must. Life, farewell, with my friends. [ExeuntEdwardandLeicester.Y. Spen.O! is he gone? is noble Edward gone?Parted from hence? never to see us more?100Rent, sphere of heaven! and, fire, forsake thy orb!Earth, melt to air! gone is my sovereign,Gone, gone, alas! never to make return.Bald.Spencer, I see our souls are fleeting hence;We are deprived the sunshine of our life:Make for a new life, man; throw up thy eyes,And heart and hands to heaven's immortal throne;Pay nature's debt with cheerful countenance;Reduce we all our lessons unto this,To die, sweet Spencer, therefore live we all;110Spencer, all live to die, and rise to fall.Rice.[300]Come, come, keep these preachments till youcome to the place appointed. You, and such as you are,have made wise work in England; will your lordships away?Mow.Your Lordship, I trust, will remember me?Rice.Remember thee? Fellow, what else? Follow me to the town.[Exeunt.
Enter[293]theAbbot, Monks,Edward,Young Spencer,andBaldock.
Abbot.Have you no doubt, my lord; have you no fear;As silent and as careful we will be,To keep your royal person safe with us,Free from suspect, and fell invasionOf such as have your majesty in chase,Yourself, and those your chosen company,As danger of this stormy time requires.
Edw.Father, thy face should harbour no deceit.O! hadst thou ever been a king, thy heart,Pierced deeply with [a] sense of my distress,10Could not but take compassion of my state.Stately and proud, in riches and in train,Whilom I was, powerful, and full of pomp:But what is he whom rule and emperyHave not in life or death made miserable?Come, Spencer; come, Baldock, come, sit down by me;Make trial now of that[294]philosophy,That in our famous nurseries of artsThou suck'dst from Plato and from Aristotle.Father, this life contemplative is heaven.20O that I might this life in quiet lead!But we, alas! are chased; and you, my friends,Your lives and my dishonour they pursue.Yet, gentle monks, for treasure, gold nor fee,Do you betray us and our company.
Monk.Your grace may sit secure, if none but weDo wot of your abode.
Y. Spen.Not one alive, but shrewdly I suspectA gloomy fellow in a mead below.'A gave a long look after us, my lord,30And all the land I know is up in arms,Arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate.
Bald.We were embarked for Ireland, wretched we!With awkward winds and sore[295]tempests drivenTo fall on shore, and here to pine in fearOf Mortimer and his confederates.
Edw.Mortimer! who talks of Mortimer?Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer,That bloody man? Good father, on thy lapLay I this head, laden with mickle care.40O might I never ope[296]these eyes again!Never again lift up this drooping head!O never more lift up this dying heart!
Y. Spen.Look up, my lord.—Baldock, this drowsinessBetides no good; here even we are betrayed.
Enter, with Welsh hooks,Rice ap Howell,aMower,and theEarl of Leicester.
Mow.Upon my life, these be the men ye seek.
Rice.Fellow, enough.—My lord, I pray be short,A fair commission warrants what we do.
Leices.The queen's commission, urged by Mortimer;What cannot gallant Mortimer with the queen?50Alas! see where he sits, and hopes unseenTo escape their hands that seek to reave his life.Too true it is,Quem[297]dies vidit veniens superbum,Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem.But, Leicester, leave to grow so passionate.Spencer and Baldock, by no other names.I [do] arrest you of high treason here.Stand not on titles, but obey th' arrest;'Tis in the name of Isabel the queen.My lord, why droop you thus?60
Edw.O day the last of all my bliss on earth!Centre of all misfortune! O my stars,Why do you lour unkindly on a king?Come[s] Leicester, then in Isabella's nameTo take my life, my company from me?Here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine,And take my heart in rescue of my friends!
Rice.Away with them!
Y. Spen.It may become thee yetTo let us take our farewell of his grace.
Abbot.My heart with pity earns[298]to see this sight,70A king to bear these words and proud commands.
Edw.Spencer, ah, sweet Spencer, thus then must we part?
Y. Spen.We must, my lord, so will the angry heavens.
Edw.Nay, so will hell and cruel Mortimer;The gentle heavens have not to do in this.
Bald.My lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm.Here humbly of your grace we take our leaves;Our lots are cast; I fear me, so is thine.
Edw.In heaven we may, in earth ne'er shall we meet:And, Leicester, say, what shall become of us?80
Leices.Your majesty must go to Killingworth.
Edw.Must! it is somewhat hard, when kings must go.
Leices.Here is a litter ready for your grace,That waits your pleasure, and the day grows old.
Rice.As good be gone, as stay and be benighted.
Edw.A litter hast thou? lay me in a hearse,And to the gates of hell convey me hence;Let Pluto's bells ring out my fatal knell,And hags howl for my death at Charon's shore,For friend hath Edward none, but these and these:[299]90And these must die under a tyrant's sword.
Rice.My lord, be going; care not for these,For we shall see them shorter by the heads.
Edw.Well, that shall be, shall be: part we must!Sweet Spencer, gentle Baldock, part we must!Hence feignèd weeds! unfeignèd are my woes; [Casts off his disguise.Father, farewell! Leicester, thou stay'st for me,And go I must. Life, farewell, with my friends. [ExeuntEdwardandLeicester.
Y. Spen.O! is he gone? is noble Edward gone?Parted from hence? never to see us more?100Rent, sphere of heaven! and, fire, forsake thy orb!Earth, melt to air! gone is my sovereign,Gone, gone, alas! never to make return.
Bald.Spencer, I see our souls are fleeting hence;We are deprived the sunshine of our life:Make for a new life, man; throw up thy eyes,And heart and hands to heaven's immortal throne;Pay nature's debt with cheerful countenance;Reduce we all our lessons unto this,To die, sweet Spencer, therefore live we all;110Spencer, all live to die, and rise to fall.
Rice.[300]Come, come, keep these preachments till youcome to the place appointed. You, and such as you are,have made wise work in England; will your lordships away?
Mow.Your Lordship, I trust, will remember me?
Rice.Remember thee? Fellow, what else? Follow me to the town.[Exeunt.
Enter[301]theKing,Leicester,theBishop of Winchester,andTrussel.Leices.Be patient, good my lord, cease to lament,Imagine Killingworth Castle were your court,And that you lay for pleasure here a space,Not of compulsion or necessity.Edw.Leicester, if gentle words might comfort me,Thy speeches long ago had eased my sorrows;For kind and loving hast thou always been.The griefs of private men are soon allayed,But not of kings. The forest deer, being struck,Runs to an herb[302]that closeth up the wounds;10But, when the imperial lion's flesh is gored,He rends and tears it with his wrathful paw,[And] highly scorning that the lowly earthShould drink his blood, mounts up to the air.And so it fares with me, whose dauntless mindThe ambitious Mortimer would seek to curb,And that unnatural queen, false Isabel,That thus hath pent and mewed me in a prison;For such outrageous passions cloy my soul,As with the wings of rancour and disdain,20Full oft[en] am I soaring up to heaven,To plain me to the gods against them both.But when I call to mind I am a king,Methinks I should revenge me of my wrongs,That Mortimer and Isabel have done.But what are kings, when regiment[303]is gone,But perfect shadows in a sunshine day?My nobles rule, I bear the name of king;I wear the crown, but am controlled by them,By Mortimer, and my unconstant queen,30Who spots my nuptial bed with infamy;Whilst I am lodged within this cave of care,Where sorrow at my elbow still attends,To company my heart with sad laments,That bleeds within me for this strange exchange.But tell me, must I now resign my crown,To make usurping Mortimer a king?Winch.Your grace mistakes, it is for England's good,And princely Edward's right we crave the crown.Edw.No, 'tis for Mortimer, not Edward's head;40For he's a lamb, encompassèd by wolves,Which in a moment will abridge his life.But if proud Mortimer do wear this crown,Heaven turn it to a blaze of quenchless fire![304]Or like the snaky wreath of Tisiphon,Engirt the temples of his hateful head;So shall not England's vine[305]be perished,But Edward's name survives,[306]though Edward dies.Leices.My lord, why waste you thus the time away?They stay your answer; will you yield your crown?50Edw.Ah, Leicester, weigh how hardly I can brookTo lose my crown and kingdom without cause;To give ambitious Mortimer my right,That like a mountain overwhelms my bliss,In which extreme my mind here murdered is.But what the heavens appoint, I must obey!Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too; [Taking off the crown.Two kings in England cannot reign at once.But stay awhile, let me be[307]king till night,That I may gaze upon this glittering crown;60So shall my eyes receive their last content,My head, the latest honour due to it,And jointly both yield up their wishèd right.Continue ever thou celestial sun;Let never silent night possess this clime:Stand still you watches of the element;All times and seasons, rest you at a stay,That Edward may be still fair England's king!But day's bright beam doth vanish fast away,And needs I must resign my wishèd crown.70Inhuman creatures! nursed with tiger's milk!Why gape you for your sovereign's overthrow!My diadem I mean, and guiltless life.See, monsters, see, I'll wear my crown again! [He puts on the crown.What, fear you not the fury of your king?But, hapless Edward, thou art fondly led,They pass not for thy frowns as late they did,But seek to make a new-elected king!Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts,Which thoughts are martyrèd with endless torments,80And in this torment comfort find I none,But that I feel the crown upon my head,And therefore let me wear it yet awhile.Trus. My lord, the parliament must have present news,And therefore say will you resign or no? [TheKingrageth.Edw. I'll not resign, but whilst I live[308][be king].Traitors, be gone! and join you with Mortimer!Elect, conspire, install, do what you will:—Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries!Winch.This answer we'll return, and so farewell.90Leices.Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair;For if they go, the prince shall lose his right.Edw.Call thou them back, I have no power to speak.Leices.My lord, the king is willing to resign.Winch.If he be not, let him choose.Edw.O would I might! but heavens and earth conspireTo make me miserable! Here receive my crown;Receive it? no, these innocent hands of mineShall not be guilty of so foul a crime.He of you all that most desires my blood,100And will be called the murderer of a king,Take it. What, are you moved? pity you me?Then send for unrelenting Mortimer,And Isabel, whose eyes, being turned to steel,Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear.Yet stay, for rather than I'll look on them,Here, here! [He gives them the crown.Now, sweet God of heaven,Make me despise this transitory pomp,And sit for aye enthronizèd in heaven!Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes,110Or if I live, let me forget myself.[309]Winch.My lord.Edw.Call me not lord; away—out of my sight:Ah, pardon me: grief makes me lunatic!Let not that Mortimer protect my son;More safety there is in a tiger's jaws,Than his embracements—bear this to the queen,Wet with my tears, and dried again with sighs; [Gives a handkerchief.If with the sight thereof she be not moved,Return it back and dip it in my blood.120Commend me to my son, and bid him ruleBetter than I. Yet how have I transgressed,Unless it be with too much clemency?Trus.And thus most humbly do we take our leave. [ExeuntBishopandTrussel.Edw.Farewell; I know the next news that they bringWill be my death; and welcome shall it be;To wretched men, death is felicity.EnterBerkeley,who gives a paper toLeicester.Leices.Another post! what news brings he?Edw.Such news as I expect—come, Berkeley, come,And tell thy message to my naked breast.130Berk.My lord, think not a thought so villainousCan harbour in a man of noble birth.To do your highness service and devoir,And save you from your foes, Berkeley would die.Leices.My lord, the council of[310]the queen commandsThat I resign my charge.Edw.And who must keep me now? Must you, my lord?Berk.I, my most gracious lord—so 'tis decreed.Edw.[taking the paper.] By Mortimer, whose name is written here!Well may I rent his name that rends my heart! [Tears it.140This poor revenge has something eased my mind.So may his limbs be torn, as is this paper!Hear me, immortal Jove, and grant it too!Berk.Your grace must hence with me to Berkeley straight.Edw.Whither you will, all places are alike,And every earth is fit for burial.Leices.Favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in you.Berk.Even so betide my soul as I use him.Edw.Mine enemy hath pitied my estate,And that's the cause that I am now removed.150Berk.And thinks your grace that Berkeley will be cruel?Edw.I know not; but of this am I assured,That death ends all, and I can die but once.Leicester, farewell!Leices.Not yet, my lord; I'll bear you on your way.[Exeunt omnes.
Enter[301]theKing,Leicester,theBishop of Winchester,andTrussel.
Leices.Be patient, good my lord, cease to lament,Imagine Killingworth Castle were your court,And that you lay for pleasure here a space,Not of compulsion or necessity.
Edw.Leicester, if gentle words might comfort me,Thy speeches long ago had eased my sorrows;For kind and loving hast thou always been.The griefs of private men are soon allayed,But not of kings. The forest deer, being struck,Runs to an herb[302]that closeth up the wounds;10But, when the imperial lion's flesh is gored,He rends and tears it with his wrathful paw,[And] highly scorning that the lowly earthShould drink his blood, mounts up to the air.And so it fares with me, whose dauntless mindThe ambitious Mortimer would seek to curb,And that unnatural queen, false Isabel,That thus hath pent and mewed me in a prison;For such outrageous passions cloy my soul,As with the wings of rancour and disdain,20Full oft[en] am I soaring up to heaven,To plain me to the gods against them both.But when I call to mind I am a king,Methinks I should revenge me of my wrongs,That Mortimer and Isabel have done.But what are kings, when regiment[303]is gone,But perfect shadows in a sunshine day?My nobles rule, I bear the name of king;I wear the crown, but am controlled by them,By Mortimer, and my unconstant queen,30Who spots my nuptial bed with infamy;Whilst I am lodged within this cave of care,Where sorrow at my elbow still attends,To company my heart with sad laments,That bleeds within me for this strange exchange.But tell me, must I now resign my crown,To make usurping Mortimer a king?
Winch.Your grace mistakes, it is for England's good,And princely Edward's right we crave the crown.
Edw.No, 'tis for Mortimer, not Edward's head;40For he's a lamb, encompassèd by wolves,Which in a moment will abridge his life.But if proud Mortimer do wear this crown,Heaven turn it to a blaze of quenchless fire![304]Or like the snaky wreath of Tisiphon,Engirt the temples of his hateful head;So shall not England's vine[305]be perished,But Edward's name survives,[306]though Edward dies.
Leices.My lord, why waste you thus the time away?They stay your answer; will you yield your crown?50
Edw.Ah, Leicester, weigh how hardly I can brookTo lose my crown and kingdom without cause;To give ambitious Mortimer my right,That like a mountain overwhelms my bliss,In which extreme my mind here murdered is.But what the heavens appoint, I must obey!Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too; [Taking off the crown.Two kings in England cannot reign at once.But stay awhile, let me be[307]king till night,That I may gaze upon this glittering crown;60So shall my eyes receive their last content,My head, the latest honour due to it,And jointly both yield up their wishèd right.Continue ever thou celestial sun;Let never silent night possess this clime:Stand still you watches of the element;All times and seasons, rest you at a stay,That Edward may be still fair England's king!But day's bright beam doth vanish fast away,And needs I must resign my wishèd crown.70Inhuman creatures! nursed with tiger's milk!Why gape you for your sovereign's overthrow!My diadem I mean, and guiltless life.See, monsters, see, I'll wear my crown again! [He puts on the crown.What, fear you not the fury of your king?But, hapless Edward, thou art fondly led,They pass not for thy frowns as late they did,But seek to make a new-elected king!Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts,Which thoughts are martyrèd with endless torments,80And in this torment comfort find I none,But that I feel the crown upon my head,And therefore let me wear it yet awhile.
Trus. My lord, the parliament must have present news,And therefore say will you resign or no? [TheKingrageth.
Edw. I'll not resign, but whilst I live[308][be king].Traitors, be gone! and join you with Mortimer!Elect, conspire, install, do what you will:—Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries!
Winch.This answer we'll return, and so farewell.90
Leices.Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair;For if they go, the prince shall lose his right.
Edw.Call thou them back, I have no power to speak.
Leices.My lord, the king is willing to resign.
Winch.If he be not, let him choose.
Edw.O would I might! but heavens and earth conspireTo make me miserable! Here receive my crown;Receive it? no, these innocent hands of mineShall not be guilty of so foul a crime.He of you all that most desires my blood,100And will be called the murderer of a king,Take it. What, are you moved? pity you me?Then send for unrelenting Mortimer,And Isabel, whose eyes, being turned to steel,Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear.Yet stay, for rather than I'll look on them,Here, here! [He gives them the crown.Now, sweet God of heaven,Make me despise this transitory pomp,And sit for aye enthronizèd in heaven!Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes,110Or if I live, let me forget myself.[309]
Winch.My lord.
Edw.Call me not lord; away—out of my sight:Ah, pardon me: grief makes me lunatic!Let not that Mortimer protect my son;More safety there is in a tiger's jaws,Than his embracements—bear this to the queen,Wet with my tears, and dried again with sighs; [Gives a handkerchief.If with the sight thereof she be not moved,Return it back and dip it in my blood.120Commend me to my son, and bid him ruleBetter than I. Yet how have I transgressed,Unless it be with too much clemency?
Trus.And thus most humbly do we take our leave. [ExeuntBishopandTrussel.
Edw.Farewell; I know the next news that they bringWill be my death; and welcome shall it be;To wretched men, death is felicity.
EnterBerkeley,who gives a paper toLeicester.
Leices.Another post! what news brings he?
Edw.Such news as I expect—come, Berkeley, come,And tell thy message to my naked breast.130
Berk.My lord, think not a thought so villainousCan harbour in a man of noble birth.To do your highness service and devoir,And save you from your foes, Berkeley would die.
Leices.My lord, the council of[310]the queen commandsThat I resign my charge.
Edw.And who must keep me now? Must you, my lord?
Berk.I, my most gracious lord—so 'tis decreed.
Edw.[taking the paper.] By Mortimer, whose name is written here!Well may I rent his name that rends my heart! [Tears it.140This poor revenge has something eased my mind.So may his limbs be torn, as is this paper!Hear me, immortal Jove, and grant it too!
Berk.Your grace must hence with me to Berkeley straight.
Edw.Whither you will, all places are alike,And every earth is fit for burial.
Leices.Favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in you.
Berk.Even so betide my soul as I use him.
Edw.Mine enemy hath pitied my estate,And that's the cause that I am now removed.150
Berk.And thinks your grace that Berkeley will be cruel?
Edw.I know not; but of this am I assured,That death ends all, and I can die but once.Leicester, farewell!
Leices.Not yet, my lord; I'll bear you on your way.[Exeunt omnes.
Enter[311]MortimerandQueen Isabel.Y. Mor.Fair Isabel, now have we our desire,The proud corrupters of the light-brained kingHave done their homage to the lofty gallows,And he himself lies in captivity.Be ruled by me, and we will rule the realm.In any case take heed of childish fear,For now we hold an old wolf[312]by the ears,That, if he slip, will seize upon us both,And gripe the sorer, being grip'd himself.Think therefore, madam, that [it] imports us[313]much10To erect your son with all the speed we may,And that I be protector over him;For our behoof, 'twill[314]bear the greater swayWhenas a king's name shall be under writ.Queen.Sweet Mortimer, the life of Isabel,Be thou persuaded that I love thee well,And therefore, so the prince my son be safe,Whom I esteem as dear as these mine eyes,Conclude against his father what thou wilt,And I myself will willingly subscribe.20Y. Mor.First would I hear news he were deposed,And then let me alone to handle him.EnterMessenger.Letters! from whence?Mess.From Killingworth, my lord.Queen.How fares my lord the king?Mess.In health, madam, but full of pensiveness.Queen.Alas, poor soul, would I could ease his grief!EnterWinchester[315]with the Crown.Thanks, gentle Winchester. [To the Messenger.] Sirrah, be gone. [Exit Messenger.Winch.The king hath willingly resigned his crown.Queen.O happy news! send for the prince, my son.Winch.Further, or this letter[316]was sealed,Lord Berkeley came,30So that he now is gone from Killingworth;And we have heard that Edmund laid a plotTo set his brother free; no more but so.The Lord of Berkeley is so [as?] pitifulAs Leicester that had charge of him before.Queen.Then let some other be his guardian.Y. Mor.Let me alone, here is the privy seal. [ExitWinchester.Who's there?—call hither Gurney and Matrevis.To dash the heavy-headed Edmund's drift,Berkeley shall be discharged, the king removed,40And none but we shall know where he lieth.[317]Queen.But, Mortimer, as long as he survives,What safety rests for us, or for my son?Y. Mor.Speak, shall he presently be despatched and die?Queen.I would he were, so 'twere not by my means.EnterMatrevisandGurney.Y. Mor.Enough.—Matrevis, write a letter presentlyUnto the Lord of Berkeley from ourselfThat he resign the king to thee and Gurney;And when 'tis done, we will subscribe our name.50Mat.It shall be done, my lord.Y. Mor.Gurney.Gur.My lord.Y. Mor.As thou intend'st to rise by Mortimer,Who now makes Fortune's wheel turn as he please,Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop,And neither give him kind word nor good look.Gur.I warrant you, my lord.Y. Mor.And this above the rest: because we hearThat Edmund casts to work his liberty,Remove him still from place to place by night,Till at the last he come to Killingworth,60And then from thence to Berkeley back again?And by the way, to make him fret the more,Speak curstly to him; and in any caseLet no man comfort him if he chance to weep,But amplify his grief with bitter words.Mat.Fear not, my lord, we'll do as you command.Y. Mor.So now away; post thitherwards amain.Queen.Whither goes this letter? to my lord the king?Commend me humbly to his majesty,And tell him that I labour all in vain70To ease his grief, and work his liberty;And bear him this as witness of my love. [Gives a ring.Mat.I will, madam. [ExeuntMatrevisandGurney;manentIsabelandMortimer.Enter theYoung Prince,and theEarl of Kenttalking with him.Y. Mor.Finely dissembled? Do so still, sweet queen.Here comes the young prince with the Earl of Kent.Queen.Something he whispers in his childish ears.Y. Mor.If he have such access unto the prince,Our plots and stratagems will soon be dashed.Queen.Use Edmund friendly as if all were well.Y. Mor.How fares my honourable lord of Kent?80Kent.In health, sweet Mortimer: how fares your grace?Queen.Well, if my lord your brother were enlarged.Kent.I hear of late he hath deposed himself.Queen.The more my grief.Y. Mor.And mine.Kent.Ah, they do dissemble? [Aside.Queen.Sweet son, come hither, I must talk with thee.Y. Mor.You being his uncle, and the next of blood,Do look to be protector o'er the prince.Kent.Not I, my lord; who should protect the son,90But she that gave him life? I mean the queen.Prince.Mother, persuade me not to wear the crown:Let him be king—I am too young to reign.Queen.But be content, seeing 'tis[318]his highness' pleasure.Prince.Let me but see him first, and then I will.Kent.I, do, sweet nephew.Queen.Brother, you know it is impossible.Prince.Why, is he dead?Queen.No, God forbid.Kent.I would those words proceeded from your heart.100Y. Mor.Inconstant Edmund, dost thou favour him,That wast a cause of his imprisonment?Kent.The more cause have I now to make amends.Y. Mor.I tell thee, 'tis not meet that one so falseShould come about the person of a prince.My lord, he hath betrayed the king his brother,And therefore trust him not.Prince.But he repents, and sorrows for it now.Queen.Come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me.Prince.With you I will, but not with Mortimer.110Y. Mor.Why, youngling, 'sdain'st thou so of Mortimer?Then I will carry thee by force away.Prince.Help, uncle Kent, Mortimer will wrong me.Queen.Brother Edmund, strive not; we are his friends;Isabel is nearer than the Earl of Kent.Kent.Sister, Edward is my charge, redeem him.Queen.Edward is my son, and I will keep him.Kent.Mortimer shall know that he hath wrongèd me!—Hence will I haste to Killingworth Castle,And rescue aged Edward from his foes,120To be revenged on Mortimer and thee. [Aside.[Exeunt omnes.
Enter[311]MortimerandQueen Isabel.
Y. Mor.Fair Isabel, now have we our desire,The proud corrupters of the light-brained kingHave done their homage to the lofty gallows,And he himself lies in captivity.Be ruled by me, and we will rule the realm.In any case take heed of childish fear,For now we hold an old wolf[312]by the ears,That, if he slip, will seize upon us both,And gripe the sorer, being grip'd himself.Think therefore, madam, that [it] imports us[313]much10To erect your son with all the speed we may,And that I be protector over him;For our behoof, 'twill[314]bear the greater swayWhenas a king's name shall be under writ.
Queen.Sweet Mortimer, the life of Isabel,Be thou persuaded that I love thee well,And therefore, so the prince my son be safe,Whom I esteem as dear as these mine eyes,Conclude against his father what thou wilt,And I myself will willingly subscribe.20
Y. Mor.First would I hear news he were deposed,And then let me alone to handle him.
EnterMessenger.
Letters! from whence?
Mess.From Killingworth, my lord.
Queen.How fares my lord the king?
Mess.In health, madam, but full of pensiveness.
Queen.Alas, poor soul, would I could ease his grief!
EnterWinchester[315]with the Crown.
Thanks, gentle Winchester. [To the Messenger.] Sirrah, be gone. [Exit Messenger.
Winch.The king hath willingly resigned his crown.
Queen.O happy news! send for the prince, my son.
Winch.Further, or this letter[316]was sealed,Lord Berkeley came,30So that he now is gone from Killingworth;And we have heard that Edmund laid a plotTo set his brother free; no more but so.The Lord of Berkeley is so [as?] pitifulAs Leicester that had charge of him before.
Queen.Then let some other be his guardian.
Y. Mor.Let me alone, here is the privy seal. [ExitWinchester.Who's there?—call hither Gurney and Matrevis.To dash the heavy-headed Edmund's drift,Berkeley shall be discharged, the king removed,40And none but we shall know where he lieth.[317]
Queen.But, Mortimer, as long as he survives,What safety rests for us, or for my son?
Y. Mor.Speak, shall he presently be despatched and die?
Queen.I would he were, so 'twere not by my means.
EnterMatrevisandGurney.
Y. Mor.Enough.—Matrevis, write a letter presentlyUnto the Lord of Berkeley from ourselfThat he resign the king to thee and Gurney;And when 'tis done, we will subscribe our name.50
Mat.It shall be done, my lord.
Y. Mor.Gurney.
Gur.My lord.
Y. Mor.As thou intend'st to rise by Mortimer,Who now makes Fortune's wheel turn as he please,Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop,And neither give him kind word nor good look.
Gur.I warrant you, my lord.
Y. Mor.And this above the rest: because we hearThat Edmund casts to work his liberty,Remove him still from place to place by night,Till at the last he come to Killingworth,60And then from thence to Berkeley back again?And by the way, to make him fret the more,Speak curstly to him; and in any caseLet no man comfort him if he chance to weep,But amplify his grief with bitter words.
Mat.Fear not, my lord, we'll do as you command.
Y. Mor.So now away; post thitherwards amain.
Queen.Whither goes this letter? to my lord the king?Commend me humbly to his majesty,And tell him that I labour all in vain70To ease his grief, and work his liberty;And bear him this as witness of my love. [Gives a ring.
Mat.I will, madam. [ExeuntMatrevisandGurney;manentIsabelandMortimer.
Enter theYoung Prince,and theEarl of Kenttalking with him.
Y. Mor.Finely dissembled? Do so still, sweet queen.Here comes the young prince with the Earl of Kent.
Queen.Something he whispers in his childish ears.
Y. Mor.If he have such access unto the prince,Our plots and stratagems will soon be dashed.
Queen.Use Edmund friendly as if all were well.
Y. Mor.How fares my honourable lord of Kent?80
Kent.In health, sweet Mortimer: how fares your grace?
Queen.Well, if my lord your brother were enlarged.
Kent.I hear of late he hath deposed himself.
Queen.The more my grief.
Y. Mor.And mine.
Kent.Ah, they do dissemble? [Aside.
Queen.Sweet son, come hither, I must talk with thee.
Y. Mor.You being his uncle, and the next of blood,Do look to be protector o'er the prince.
Kent.Not I, my lord; who should protect the son,90But she that gave him life? I mean the queen.
Prince.Mother, persuade me not to wear the crown:Let him be king—I am too young to reign.
Queen.But be content, seeing 'tis[318]his highness' pleasure.
Prince.Let me but see him first, and then I will.
Kent.I, do, sweet nephew.
Queen.Brother, you know it is impossible.
Prince.Why, is he dead?
Queen.No, God forbid.
Kent.I would those words proceeded from your heart.100
Y. Mor.Inconstant Edmund, dost thou favour him,That wast a cause of his imprisonment?
Kent.The more cause have I now to make amends.
Y. Mor.I tell thee, 'tis not meet that one so falseShould come about the person of a prince.My lord, he hath betrayed the king his brother,And therefore trust him not.
Prince.But he repents, and sorrows for it now.
Queen.Come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me.
Prince.With you I will, but not with Mortimer.110
Y. Mor.Why, youngling, 'sdain'st thou so of Mortimer?Then I will carry thee by force away.
Prince.Help, uncle Kent, Mortimer will wrong me.
Queen.Brother Edmund, strive not; we are his friends;Isabel is nearer than the Earl of Kent.
Kent.Sister, Edward is my charge, redeem him.
Queen.Edward is my son, and I will keep him.
Kent.Mortimer shall know that he hath wrongèd me!—Hence will I haste to Killingworth Castle,And rescue aged Edward from his foes,120To be revenged on Mortimer and thee. [Aside.[Exeunt omnes.
Enter[319]MatrevisandGurneywith theKing.Mat.My lord, be not pensive, we are your friends;Men are ordained to live in misery,Therefore come,—dalliance dangereth our lives.Edw.Friends, whither must unhappy Edward go?Will hateful Mortimer appoint no rest?Must I be vexèd like the nightly bird,Whose sight is loathsome to all wingèd fowls?When will the fury of his mind assuage?When will his heart be satisfied with blood?If mine will serve, unbowel straight this breast,10And give my heart to Isabel and him;It is the chiefest mark they level at.Gur.Not so, my liege, the queen hath given this chargeTo keep your grace in safety;Your passions make your dolours to increase.Edw.This usage makes my misery to increase.But can my air[320]of life continue longWhen all my senses are annoyed with stench?Within a dungeon England's king is kept,Where I am starved for want of sustenance.20My daily diet is heart-breaking sobs,That almost rent the closet of my heart;Thus lives old[321]Edward not relieved by any,And so must die, though pitièd by many.O, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst,And clear my body from foul excrements!Mat.Here's channel water, as your charge is given;Sit down, for we'll be barbers to your grace.Edw.Traitors, away! what, will you murder me,Or choke your sovereign with puddle water?30Gur.No;But wash your face, and shave away your beard,Lest you be known and so be rescued.Mat.Why strive you thus? your labour is in vain?Edw.The wren may strive against the lion's strength,But all in vain: so vainly do I striveTo seek for mercy at a tyrant's hand.[They wash him with puddle water, and shave his beard away.Immortal powers! that knows the painful caresThat waits upon my poor distressèd soul!O level all your looks upon these daring men,40That wrongs their liege and sovereign, England's king.O Gaveston, 'tis for thee that I am wronged,For me, both thou and both the Spencers died!And for your sakes a thousand wrongs I'll take.The Spencers' ghosts, wherever they remain,Wish well to mine; then tush, for them I'll die.Mat.'Twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity.Come, come away; now put the torches out,We'll enter in by darkness to Killingworth.EnterKent.Gur.How now, who comes there?50Mat.Guard the king sure: it is the Earl of Kent.EnterSoldiers.Edw.O gentle brother, help to rescue me!Mat.Keep them asunder; thrust in the king.Kent.Soldiers, let me but talk to him one word.Gur.Lay hands upon the earl for his assault.Kent.Lay down your weapons, traitors, yield the king.Mat.Edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die.Kent.Base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus!Gur.Bind him and so convey him to the court.Kent.Where is the court but here? here is the king;60And I will visit him; why stay you me?Mat.The court is where Lord Mortimer remains;Thither shall your honour go; and so farewell.[ExeuntMatrevisandGurney,with theKing.Kentand theSoldiersremain.Kent.O miserable is that commonweal,Where lords keep courts, and kings are locked in prison?Sol.Wherefore stay we? on, sirs, to the court.Kent.I, lead me whither you will, even to my death,Seeing that my brother cannot be released.[Exeunt.
Enter[319]MatrevisandGurneywith theKing.
Mat.My lord, be not pensive, we are your friends;Men are ordained to live in misery,Therefore come,—dalliance dangereth our lives.
Edw.Friends, whither must unhappy Edward go?Will hateful Mortimer appoint no rest?Must I be vexèd like the nightly bird,Whose sight is loathsome to all wingèd fowls?When will the fury of his mind assuage?When will his heart be satisfied with blood?If mine will serve, unbowel straight this breast,10And give my heart to Isabel and him;It is the chiefest mark they level at.
Gur.Not so, my liege, the queen hath given this chargeTo keep your grace in safety;Your passions make your dolours to increase.
Edw.This usage makes my misery to increase.But can my air[320]of life continue longWhen all my senses are annoyed with stench?Within a dungeon England's king is kept,Where I am starved for want of sustenance.20My daily diet is heart-breaking sobs,That almost rent the closet of my heart;Thus lives old[321]Edward not relieved by any,And so must die, though pitièd by many.O, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst,And clear my body from foul excrements!
Mat.Here's channel water, as your charge is given;Sit down, for we'll be barbers to your grace.
Edw.Traitors, away! what, will you murder me,Or choke your sovereign with puddle water?30
Gur.No;But wash your face, and shave away your beard,Lest you be known and so be rescued.
Mat.Why strive you thus? your labour is in vain?
Edw.The wren may strive against the lion's strength,But all in vain: so vainly do I striveTo seek for mercy at a tyrant's hand.[They wash him with puddle water, and shave his beard away.Immortal powers! that knows the painful caresThat waits upon my poor distressèd soul!O level all your looks upon these daring men,40That wrongs their liege and sovereign, England's king.O Gaveston, 'tis for thee that I am wronged,For me, both thou and both the Spencers died!And for your sakes a thousand wrongs I'll take.The Spencers' ghosts, wherever they remain,Wish well to mine; then tush, for them I'll die.
Mat.'Twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity.Come, come away; now put the torches out,We'll enter in by darkness to Killingworth.
EnterKent.
Gur.How now, who comes there?50
Mat.Guard the king sure: it is the Earl of Kent.
EnterSoldiers.
Edw.O gentle brother, help to rescue me!
Mat.Keep them asunder; thrust in the king.
Kent.Soldiers, let me but talk to him one word.
Gur.Lay hands upon the earl for his assault.
Kent.Lay down your weapons, traitors, yield the king.
Mat.Edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die.
Kent.Base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus!
Gur.Bind him and so convey him to the court.
Kent.Where is the court but here? here is the king;60And I will visit him; why stay you me?
Mat.The court is where Lord Mortimer remains;Thither shall your honour go; and so farewell.[ExeuntMatrevisandGurney,with theKing.Kentand theSoldiersremain.
Kent.O miserable is that commonweal,Where lords keep courts, and kings are locked in prison?
Sol.Wherefore stay we? on, sirs, to the court.
Kent.I, lead me whither you will, even to my death,Seeing that my brother cannot be released.[Exeunt.