away his weapons Mor. Thou proud disturber of thy countries peace Corrupter of thy king cause of these broiles Base flatterer yeeld and were it not for shame Shame and dishonour to a souldiers name Vpon my weapons point here shouldst thou fall And welter in thy goare Lan. Monster of men that like the Greekish strumpet Traind to armes and bloudie warres So many valiant knights Looke for no other fortune wretch then death Kind Edward is not heere to buckler thee War Lancaster why talkst thou to the slaue Go souldiers take him hence For by my sword his head shall off Gaueston short warning shall serue thy turne It is our countries cause That here seuerelie we will execute Vpon thy person hang him at a bough Gau. My Lord War Souldiers haue him away But for thou wert the fauorit of a King Thou shalt haue so much honor at our hands Gau. I thanke you all my lords then I perceiue That heading is one and hanging is the other And death is all Enter earle of Arundell Lan. How now my lord of Arundell Arun. My lords king Edward greetes you all by me War Arundell say your message Aru. His maiesty hearing that you had takē Gaueston Intreateth you by me yet but he may See him before he dies for why he saies And sends you word he knowes that die he shall And if you gratifie his grace so farre He will be mindfull of the curtesie Warw. How now Gau. Renowmed Edward how thy name Reuiues poore Gaueston War No it needeth not Arundell we will gratifie the king In other matters he must pardon vs in this Souldiers away with him Gauest. Why my Lord of VVarwicke Will not these delaies beget my hopes I know it lords it is this life you aime at Yet graunt king Edward this Mor. iu. Shalt thou appoint what we shall graunt Souldiers away with him Thus wee le gratifie the king Wee le send his head by thee let him bestow His teares on that for that is all he gets Of Gaueston or else his sencelesse trunck Lan. Not so my Lord least he bestow more cost In burying him then he hath euer earned Arun. My lords it is his maiesties request And in the honor of a king he sweares He will but talke with him and send him backe War When can you tell Arundell no we wot He that the care of realme remits And driues his nobles to these exigents For Gaueston will if he zease him once Violate any promise to possesse him Arun. Then if you will not trust his grace in keepe My lords I will be pledge for his returne Mor. iu. It is honourable in thee to offer this But for we know thou art a noble gentleman We will not wrong thee so To make away a true man for a theefe Gaue. How meanst thou Mortimer that is ouer base Mor. Away base groome robber of kings renowme Question with thy companions and thy mates Pen. My lord Mortimer and you my lords each one To gratifie the kings request therein Touching the sending of this Gaueston Because his maiestie so earnestlie Desires to see the man before his death I will vpon mine honor vndertake To carrie him and bring him back againe Prouided this that you my lord of Arundell Will ioyne with me War Penbrooke what wilt thou do Cause yet more bloudshed is it not enough That we haue taken him but must we now Leaue him on had-I wist and let him go Pen. My lords I will not ouer wooe your honors But if you dare trust Penbrooke with the prisoner Vpon mine oath I will returne him back Arun. My lord of Lancaster what say you in this Lan. Why I say let him go on Penbrookes word Pen. And you lord Mortimer Mor. iu. How say you my lord of Warwick War Nay do your pleasures I know how t will prooue Pen. Then giue him me Gau. Sweete soueraigne yet I come To see thee ere I die Warw. Yet not perhaps If Warwickes wit and policie preuaile Mor. iu. My lord of Penbrooke we deliuer him you Returne him on your honor sound away Exeunt Manent Penbrooke Mat. Gauest Penbrookes men foure souldiers Pen. My Lord you shall go with me My house is not farre hence out of the way A little but our men shall go along We that haue prettie wenches to our wiues Sir must not come so neare and balke their lips Mat. T is verie kindlie spoke my lord of Penbrooke Your honor hath an adamant of power To drawe a prince Pen. So my lord come hether Iames I do commit this Gaueston to thee Be thou this night his keeper in the morning We will discharge thee of thy charge be gon Gau. Vnhappie Gaueston whether goest thou now Exit cum seruis Pen Horse boy My lord wee le quicklie be at Cobham Exeunt ambo Enter Gaueston moorning and the earle of Penbrookes men Gaue. O treacherous Warwicke thus to wrong thy friend Iames. I see it is your life these armes pursue Gau. Weaponles must I fall and die in bands O must this day be period of my life Center of all my blisse and yee be men Speede to the king Enter Warwicke and his companie War My lord of Penbrookes men Striue you no longer I will haue that Gaueston Iam. Your lordship doth dishonor to your selfe And wrong our lord your honorable friend War No Iames it is my countries cause I follow Goe take the villaine soldiers come away Wee l make quick worke cōmend me to your maister My friend and tell him that I watcht it well Come let thy shadow parley with king Edward Gau. Treacherous earle shall I not see the king War The king of heauen perhaps no other king Away Exeunt Warwike and his men with Gauest Manet Iames cum caeteris Come fellowes it booted not for vs to striue We will in hast go certifie our Lord Exeunt Enter king Edward and Spencer with Drummes and Fifes Edw. I long to heare an answer from the Barons Touching my friend my deerest Gaueston Ah Spencer not the riches of my realme Can ransome him ah he is markt to die I know the malice of the yonger Mortimer VVarwick I know is roughe and Lancaster Inexorable and I shall neuer see My louely Pierce my Gaueston againe The Barons ouerbeare me with their pride Spencer Were I king Edward Englands soueraigne Sonne to the louelie Elenor of Spaine Great Edward Longshankes issue would I bear These braues this rage and suffer vncontrowld These Barons thus to beard me in my land In mine owne realme my lord pardon my speeche Did you retaine your fathers magnanimitie Did you regard the honor of your name You would not suffer thus your maiestie Be counterbuft of your nobilitie Strike off their heads and let them preach on poles No doubt such lessons they will teach the rest As by their preachments they will profit much And learne obedience to their lawfull king Edw. Yea gentle Spencer we haue beene too milde Too kinde
The troublesome raigne and lamentable death of Edward the second King of England with the tragicall fall of proud Mortimer As it was sundrie times publiquely acted in the honourable citie of London by the right honourable the Earle of Pembrooke his seruants Written by Chri Marlow Gent. Imprinted at London for William Iones dwelling neere Holbourne conduit at the signe of the Gunne 1594 The troublesome raigne and lamentable death of Edward the second king of England with the tragicall fall of proud Mortimer Enter Gauestone reading on a letter that was brought him from the king MY father is deceast come Gaueston And share the kingdom with thy deerest friend Ah words that make me surfet with delight What greater blisse can hap to Gaueston Then liue and be the fauorit of a king Sweete prince I come these these thy amorous lines Might haue enforst me to haue swum from France And like Leander gaspt vpon the sande So thou wouldst smile and take me in thy armes The sight of London to my exiled eyes Is as Elizium to a new come soule Not that I loue the citie or the men But that it harbors him I hold so deare The king vpon whose bosome let me die And with the world be still at enmitie What neede the artick people loue star-light To whom the sunne shines both by day and night Farewell base stooping to the lordly peeres My knee shall bowe to none but to the king As for the multitude that are but sparkes Rakt vp in embers of their pouertie Tauti I le fanne first on the winde That glaunceth at my lips and flieth away But how now what are these Enter three poore men Poore men Such as desire your worships seruice Gauest. What canst thou doe 1. poore I can ride Gauest. But I haue no horses What art thou 2. poore A traueller Gauest. Let me see thou wouldst do well To waite at my trencher tell me lies at dinner time And as I like your discoursing I le haue you And what art thou 3. poore A souldier that hath seru'd against the Scot Gauest. Why there are hospitals for such as you I haue no warre and therefore sir be gone Seld. Farewell and perish by a souldiers hand That wouldst reward them with an hospitall Gau. I I these wordes of his moue me as much As if a Goose should play the Porpintine And dart her plumes thinking to pierce my brest But yet it is no paine to speake men faire I le flatter these and make them liue in hope You know that I came lately out of France And yet I haue not viewd my Lord the king If I speed well I le entertaine you all Omnes We thanke your worship Gauest. I haue some busines leaue me to my selfe Omnes We will wait heere about the court Exeunt Gauest. Do these are not men for me I must haue wanton Poets pleasant wits Musitians that with touching of a string May draw the pliant king which way I please Musicke and poetrie is his delight Therefore I le haue Italian maskes by night Sweete speeches comedies and pleasing showes And in the day when he shall walke abroad Like Siluian Nimphes my pages shall be clad My men like Satyres grazing on the lawnes Shall with their Goate feete daunce an antick hay Sometime a louelie boye in Dians shape With haire that gilds the water as it glides Crownets of pearle about his naked armes And in his sportfull hands an Oliue tree To hide those parts which men delight to see Shall bathe him in a spring and there hard by One like Actaeon peeping through the groue Shall by the angrie goddesse be transformde And running in the likenes of an Hart By yelping hounds puld downe and seeme to die Such things as these best please his maiestie My lord heere comes the king and the nobles From the parlament I le stand aside Enter the King Lancaster Mortimer senior Mortimer iunior Edmund Earle of Kent Guie Earle of Warwicke c. Edward Lancaster Lancast. My Lorde Gauest. That Earle of Lancaster do I abhorre Edw. Will you not graunt me this in spight of them I le haue my will and these two Mortimers That crosse me thus shall know I am displeasd Mor. se. If you loue vs my lord hate Gaueston Gauest. That villaine Mortimer I le be his death Mor. iu. Mine vnckle heere this Earle I my selfe Were sworne to your father at his death That he should nere returne into the realme And know my lord ere I will breake my oath This sword of mine that should offend your foes Shall sleepe within the scabberd at thy neede And vnderneath thy banners march who will For Mortimer will hang his armor vp Gauest. Mort dieu Edw. Well Mortimer I le make thee rue these words Beseemes it thee to contradict thy king Frownst thou thereat aspiring Lancaster The sworde shall plane the furrowes of thy browes And hew these knees that now are growne so stiffe I will haue Gaueston and you shall know What danger t is to stand against your king Gauest. Well doone Ned Lan. My lord why do you thus incense your peeres That naturally would loue and honour you But for that base and obscure Gaueston Foure Earldomes haue I besides Lancaster Darbie Salsburie Lincolne Leicester These will I sell to giue my souldiers paye Ere Gaueston shall stay within the realme Therefore if he be come expell him straight Edm. Barons Earls your pride hath made me mute But now I le speake and to the proofe I hope I do remember in my fathers dayes Lord Percie of the North being highly mou'd Brau'd Mowberie in presence of the king For which had not his highnes lou'd him well He should haue lost his head but with his looke The vndaunted spirit of Percie was appeasd And Mowberie and he were reconcild Yet dare you braue the king vnto his face Brother reuenge it and let these their heads Preach vpon poles for trespasse of their tongues Warwicke O our heads Edw. I yours and therefore I would wish you graunt Warw. Bridle thy anger gentle Mortimer Mor. iu. I cannot nor I will not I must speake Cosin our hands I hope shall fence our heads And strike off his that makes you threaten vs Come vnckle let vs leaue the brainsick king And henceforth parle with our naked swords Mor. se. Wilshire hath men enough to saue our heads Warw. All Warwickshire will loue him for my sake Lanc. And Northward Gaueston hath many friends Adew my Lord and either change your minde Or looke to see the throne where you should sit To floate in bloud and at thy wanton head The glozing head of thy base minion throwne Exeunt Nobiles Edw. I cannot brooke these hautie menaces Am I a king and must be ouer rulde Brother displaie my ensignes in the field I le bandie with the Barons and the Earles And eyther die or liue with Gaueston Gau. I can no longer keepe me from my lord Edw.
to them but now haue drawne our sword And if they send me not my Gaueston Wee le steele it on their crest and powle their tops Bald. This haught resolue becomes your maiestie Not to be tied to their affection As though your highnes were a schoole boy still And must be awde and gouernd like a child Enter Hugh Spencer an old man father to the yong Spencer with his trunchion and soldiers Spen. pa. Long liue my soueraigne the noble Edward In peace triumphant fortunate in warres Edw. Welcome old man comst thou in Edwards aide Then tell thy prince of whence and what thou art Spen. pa. Loe with a band of bowmen and of pikes Browne bils and targetiers 400 strong Sworne to defend king Edwards royall right I come in person to your maiestie Spencer the father of Hugh Spencer there Bound to your highnes euerlastinglie For fauors done in him vnto vs all Edw. Thy father Spencer Spen. filius True and it like your grace That powres in lieu of all your goodnes showne His life my lord before your princely feete Edw. Welcome ten thousand times old man againe Spencer this loue this kindnes to thy King Argues thy noble minde and disposition Spencer I heere create thee earle of Wilshire And daily will enrich thee with our fauour That as the sun-shine shall reflect ore thee Beside the more to manifest our loue Because we heare Lord Bruse dooth sell his land And that the Mortimers are in hand withall Thou shalt haue crownes of vs t' out the Barons And Spenser spare them not but lay it on Souldier 's a largis and thrice welcome all Spen. My lord here comes the Queene Enter the Queene and her sonne and Lewne a Frenchman Edw. Madam what newes Qu. Newes of dishonor lord and discontent Our friend Lewne faithfull and full of trust Informeth vs by letters and by words That lord Valoyes our brother king of Fraunce Because your highnesse hath beene slack in homage Hath seazed Normandie into his hands These be the letters this the messenger Edw. Welcome Lewne tush Sib if this be all Valoys and I will soone be friends againe But to my Gaueston shall I neuer see Neuer behold thee now Madam in this matter We will employ you and your little sonne You shall go parley with the king of Fraunce Boye see you beare you brauelie to the king And do your message with a maiestie Prin. Commit not to my youth things of more waigh Then fits a prince so yong as I to beare And feare not lord and father heauens great beames On Atlas shoulder shall not lie more safe Then shall your charge committed to my trust Qu. A boye this towardnes makes thy mother feare Thou art not markt to many daies on earth Edw. Madam we will that you with speed be shipt And this our sonne Lewne shall follow you With all the hast we can dispatch him hence Choose of our lords to beare you companie And go in peace leaue vs in warres at home Qu. Vnnatural wars where subiects braue their king God end them once my lord I take my leaue To make my preparation for Fraunce Enter lord Matre Edw. What lord Matre dost thou come alone Mat. Yea my good lord for Gaueston is dead Edw. Ah traitors haue they put my friend to death Tell me Matre died he ere thou camst Or didst thou see my friend to take his death Matr. Neither my lord for as he was surprizd Begirt with weapons and with enemies round I did your highnes message to them all Demanding him of them entreating rather And said vpon the honour of my name That I would vndertake to carrie him Vnto your highnes and to bring him back Edw. And tell me would the rebels denie me that Spen. Proud recreants Edw. Yea Spencer traitors all Matr. I found them at the first inexorable The earle of Warwick would not bide the hearing Mortimer hardly Penbrooke and Lancaster Spake least and when they flatly had denyed Refusing to receiue me pledge for him The earle of Penbrooke mildlie thus bespake My lords because our soueraigne sends for him And promiseth he shall be safe returnd I will this vndertake to haue him hence And see him redeliuered to your hands Edw. Well and how fortunes that he came not Spen. Some treason or some villanie was cause Mat. The earle of Warwick seazde him on his way For being deliuered vnto Penbrookes men Their lord rode home thinking his prisoner safe But ere he came Warwick in ambush laie And bare him to his death and in a trenche Strake off his head and marcht vnto the campe Spen. A bloudie part flatly against law of armes Edw. O shall I speake or shall I sigh and die Spen. My lord referre your vengeance to the sword Vpon these Barons harten vp your men Let them not vnreuengd murther your friends Aduaunce your standard Edward in the field And marche to sire them from their starting holes Edward kneeles and saith By earth the common mother of vs all By heauen and all the moouing orbes thereof By this right hand and by my fathers sword And all the honors longing to my crowne I will haue heads and liues for him as many As I haue manors castels townes and towers Tretcherous Warwicke traiterous Mortimer If I be Englands king in lakes of gore Your headles trunkes your bodies will I traile That you may drinke your fill and quaffe in bloud And staine my roiall standard with the same That so my bloudie colours may suggest Remembrance of reuenge immortallie On your accursed traiterous progenie You villaines that haue slaine my Gaueston And in this place of honor and of trust Spencer sweet Spencer I adopt thee heere And meerely of our loue we do create thee Earle of Gloster and lord Chamberlaine Despite of times despite of enemies Spen. My lord here 's is a messenger from the Barons Desires accesse vnto your maiestie Edw. Admit him neere Enter the Herald from the Barons with his coate of armes Messen. Long liue king Edward Englands lawful lord Edw. So wish not they I wis that sent thee hither Thou comst from Mortimer and his complices A ranker route of rebels neuer was Well say thy message Messen. The Barons vp in armes by me salute Your highnes with long life and happines And bid me say as plainer to your grace That if without effusion of bloud You will this greefe haue ease and remedie That from your princely person you remooue This Spencer as a putrifying branche That deads the royall vine whose golden leaues Empale your princelie head your diadem Whose brightnes such pernitious vpstarts dim Say they and louinglie aduise your grace To cherish vertue and nobilitie And haue old seruitors in high esteeme And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers This graunted they their honors and their liues Are to your highnesse vowd and consecrate Spen. A traitors will they still display their pride Edw. Away tarrie no answer but be gon Rebels will
they appoint their soueraigne His sports his pleasures and his companie Yet ere thou go see how I do deuorce Embrace Spencer Spencer from me now get thee to thy lords And tell them I will come to chastise them For murthering Gaueston hie thee get thee gone Edward with fire and sword followes at thy heeles My lord perceiue you how these rebels swell Souldiers good harts defend your soueraignes right For now euen now we marche to make them stoope Away Exeunt Alarums excursions a great fight and a retreate Enter the king Spencer the father Spencer the sonne and the noblemen of the kings side Edw. Why do we sound retreat vpon them lords This day I shall powre vengeance with my sword On those proud rebels that are vp in armes And do confront and countermaund their king Spen. son I doubt it not my lord right will preuaile Spen. fa. T is not amisse my liege for eyther part To breathe a while our men with sweat and dust All chockt well neare begin to faint for heate And this retire refresheth horse and man Spen. son Heere come the rebels Enter the Barons Mortimer Lancaster Warwick Penbrooke cum caeteris Mor. Looke Lancaster yonder is Edward among his flatterers Lan. And there let him bee till hee pay deerely for their companie War And shall or Warwicks sword shal smite in vaine Edw. What rebels do you shrinke and sound retreat Mor. iu. No Edward no thy flatterers faint and flie Lan. Th 'ad best betimes forsake thee and their trains For thei le betray thee traitors as they are Spen. so Traitor on thy face rebellious Lancaster Pen. Away base vpstart brau'st thou nobles thus Spen. fa. A noble attempt and honourable deed Is it not trowe ye to assemble aide And leuie armes against your lawfull king Edw. For which ere long their heads shall satisfie T' appeaze the wrath of their offended king Mor. iu. Then Edward thou wilt fight it to the last And rather bathe thy sword in subiects bloud Then banish that pernicious companie Edw. I traitors all rather then thus be braude Make Englands ciuill townes huge heapes of stones And plowes to go about our pallace gates War A desperate and vnnaturall resolution Alarum to the fight saint George for England And the Barons right Edw. S. George for England and king Edwards right Enter Edward with the Barons captiues Edw. Now lustie lords now not by chance of warre But iustice of the quarrell and the cause Vaild is your pride me thinkes you hang the head But wee le aduance them traitors now t is time To be auengd on you for all your braues And for the murther of my deerest friend To whome right well you knew our soule was knit Good Pierce of Gaueston my sweet fauoret A rebels recreants you made him away Edm. Brother in regard of thee and of thy land Did they remooue that flatterer from thy throne Edw. So sir you haue spoke away auoid our presence Accursed wretches wa st in regard of vs When we had sent our messenger to request He might be spared to come to speake with vs And Penbrooke vndertooke for his returne That thou proud Warwicke watcht the prisoner Poore Pierce and headed him against lawe of armes For which thy head shall ouer looke the rest As much as thou in rage out wentst the rest War Tyrant I scorne thy threats and menaces T is but temporall that thou canst inflict Lan. The worst is death and better die to liue Then liue in infamie vnder such a king Edw. Away with them my lord of Winchester These lustie leaders Warwicke and Lancaster I charge you roundly off with both their heads away War Farewell vaine worlde Lan. Sweete Mortimer farewell Mor. iu. England vnkinde to thy nobilitie Grone for this greefe behold how thou art maimed Edw. Go take that haughtie Mortimer to the tower There see him safe bestowed and for the rest Do speedie execution on them all be gon Mor. iu. What Mortimer can ragged stonie walle ensure thy vertue that aspires to heauen No Edward Englands scourge it may not be Mortimers hope surmounts his fortune farre Edw. Sound drums and trumpets marche with me my friends Edward this day hath crownd him king a new Exit Manent Spencer filius Lewne Baldock Spen. Lewne the trust that we repose in thee Begets the quiet of king Edwards land Therefore be gon in hast and with aduice Bestowe that treasure on the lords of Fraunce That therewith all enchaunted like the guarde That suffered Ioue to passe in showers of golde To Danae all aide may be denied To Isabell the Queene that now in France Makes friends to crosse the seas with her yong sonne And step into his fathers regiment Lew. That 's it these Barons and the subtill Queene Long leuied at Bald. Yea but Lewne thou seest These Barons lay their heads on blocks together What they intend the hangman frustrates cleane Lewn Haue you no doubts my lords I le claps close Among the lords of France with Englands golde That Isabell shall make her plaints in vaine And Fraunce shall be obdurat with her teares Spen. Then make for Fraunce amaine Lewne away Proclaime king Edwards warres and victories Exeunt omnes Enter Edmund Edm. Faire blowes the winde for Fraunce blowe gentle gale Till Edmund be arriude for Englands good Nature yeeld to my countries cause in this A brother no a butcher of thy friends Proud Edward doost thou banish me thy presence But I le to Fraunce and cheere the wronged Queene And certifie what Edwards loosenes is Vnnaturall king to slaughter noble men And cherish flatterers Mortimer I stay Thy sweet escape stand gratious gloomie night to his deuice Enter Mortimer disguised Mor. iu. Holla who walketh there i st you my lord Edm. Mortimer t is I but hath thy potion wrought so happilie Mor. iu. It hath my lord the warders all a sleepe I thanke them gaue me leaue to passe in peace But hath your grace got shipping vnto Fraunce Edm. Feare it not Exeunt Enter the Queene and her sonne Qu. A boye our friends do faile vs all in Fraunce The lords are cruell and the king vnkinde What shall we doe Prince Madam returne to England And please my father well and then a Fig For all my vnckles frienship here in Fraunce I warrant you I le winne his highnes quicklie A loues me better than a thousand Spencers Qu. A boye thou art deceiude at least in this To thinke that we can yet be tun'd together No no we warre too farre vnkinde Valoys Vnhappie Isabell when Fraunce reiects Whether O whether doost thou bend thy steps Enter sir Iohn of Henolt S. Ioh. Madam what cheere Qu. A good sir Iohn of Henolt Neuer so cheereles nor so farre distrest S. Ioh. I heare sweete lady of the kings vnkindenes But droope not madam noble mindes contemne Despaire will your grace with me to Henolt And there stay times aduantage with your sonne How say you my Lord will
you go with your friends And shake off all our fortunes equallie Prin. So pleaseth the Queene my mother me it likes The king of England nor the court of Fraunce Shall haue me from my gratious mothers side Till I be strong enough to breake a staffe And then haue at the proudest Spencers head Sir Iohn Well said my lord Qu. Oh my sweet hart how do I mone thy wrongs Yet triumphe in the hope of thee my ioye Ah sweete sir Iohn euen to the vtmost verge Of Europe or the shore of Tanaise Will we with thee to Henolt so we will The Marques is a noble Gentleman His grace I dare presume will welcome me But who are these Enter Edmund and Mortimer Edm. Madam long may you liue Much happier then your friends in England do Qu. Lord Edmund and lord Mortimer aliue Welcome to Fraunce the newes was heere my lord That you were dead or very neare your death Mor. iu. Lady the last was truest of the twaine But Mortimer reserude for better hap Hath shaken off the thraldome of the tower And liues t' aduance your standard good my lord Prin. How meane you and the king my father liues No my lord Mortimer not I I trow Qu. Not sonne why not I would it were no worse But gentle lords friendles we are in Fraunce Mor. iu. Mounsier le Grand a noble friend of yours Tould vs at our arriuall all the newes How hard the nobles how vnkinde the king Hath shewed himself but madam right makes roome Where weapons want and though a many friends Are made away as Warwick Lancaster And others of our partie and faction Yet haue we friends assure your grace in England Would cast vp cappes and clap their hands for ioy To see vs there appointed for our foes Edm. Would all were well and Edward well reclaimd For Englands honor peace and quietnes Mort. But by the sword my lord it must be deseru'd The king will nere forsake his flatterers S. Ioh. My Lords of England sith the vngentle king Of Fraunce refuseth to giue aide of armes To this distressed Queene his sister heere Go you with her to Henolt doubt yee not We will finde comfort money men and friends Ere long to bid the English king a base How say yong Prince what thinke you of the match Prin. I thinke king Edward will out run vs all Qu. Nay soune not so and you must not discourage Your friends that are so forward in your aide Edm. Sir Iohn of Henolt pardon vs I pray These comforts that you giue our wofull queene Binde vs in kindenes all at your commaund Qu. Yea gentle brother and the God of heauen Prosper your happie motion good sir Iohn Mor. iu. This noble gentleman forward in armes Was borne I see to be our anchor hold Sir Iohn of Henolt be it thy renowne That Englands Queene and nobles in distresse Haue beene by thee restored and comforted S. Iohn Madam along and you my lord with me That Englands peeres may Henolts welcome see Enter the king Matr. the two Spencers with others Edw. Thus after many threats of wrathfull warre Triumpheth Englands Edward with his friends And triumph Edward with his friends vncontrould My lord of Gloster do you heare the newes Spen. iu. What newes my lord Edw. Why man they say there is great execution Done through the realme my lord of Arundell You haue the note haue you not Matr. From the lieutenant of the tower my lord Edw. I pray let vs see it what haue we there Read it Spencer Spencer reads their names Why so they barkt a pace a month a goe Now on my life thei le neither barke nor bite Now sirs the newes from Fraunce Gloster I trowe The lords of Fraunce loue Englands gold so well As Isabell gets no aide from thence What now remaines haue you proclaimed my lord Reward for them can bring in Mortimer Spen. iu. My lord we haue and if he be in England A will be had ere long I doubt it not Edw. If doost thou say Spencer as true as death He is in Englands ground our port-maisters Are not so careles of their kings commaund Enter a Poaste How now what newes with thee from whence come these Post Letters my lord and tidings foorth of Fraunce To you my lord of Gloster from Lewne Edward Reade Spencer reades the letter My dutie to your honor promised c. I haue according to instructions in that behalfe dealt with the king of Fraunce his lords and effected that the Queene all discontented and discomforted is gone whither if you aske with sir Iohn of Henolt brother to the Marquesse into Flaunders with them are gone lord Edmund and the lord Mortimer hauing in their company diuers of your nation and others and as constant report goeth they intend to giue king Edward battell in England sooner then he can looke for them this is all the newes of import Your honors in all seruice Lewne Edw. A villaines hath that Mortimer escapt With him is Edmund gone associate And will sir Iohn of Henolt lead the round Welcome a Gods name Madam and your sonne England shall welcome you and all your route Gallop a pace bright Phoebus through the skie And duskie night in rustie iron carre Betweene you both shorten the time I pray That I may see that most desired day When we may meet these traitors in the field Ah nothing greeues me but my little boye Is thus misled to countenance their ils Come friends to Bristow there to make vs strong And windes as equall be to bring them in As you iniurious were to beare them foorth Enter the Queene her sonne Edmund Mortimer and sir Iohn Qu. Now lords our louing friends and countrimen Welcome to England all with prosperous windes Our kindest friends in Belgia haue we left To cope with friends at home a heauie case When force to force is knit and sword and gleaue In ciuill broiles makes kin and country men Slaughter themselues in others and their sides With their owne weapons gorde but what 's the helpe Misgouerned kings are cause of all this wrack And Edward thou art one among them all Whose loosnes hath betrayed thy land to spoyle And made the channels ouerflow with blood Of thine own people patrō shouldst thou be but thou Mor. iu. Nay madam if you be a warriar Ye must not grow so passionate in speeches Lords sith that we are by sufferance of heauen Arriude and armde in this princes right Heere for our countries cause sweare we to him All homage fealtie and forwardnes And for the open wronges and iniuries Edward hath done to vs his Queene and land We come in armes to wrecke it with the swords That Englands queene in peace may reposesse Her dignities and honors and withall We may remooue these flatterers from the king That hauocks Englands wealth and treasurie S. Io. Sound trūpets my lord forward let vs martch Edward will thinke we come to flatter him Edm. I would he
neuer had bin flattered more Enter the King Baldock and Spencer the sonne flying about the stage Spe. Fly fly my Lord the Queene is ouerstrong Her friends doe multiply and yours doe fayle Shape we our course to Ireland there to breath Edw. What was I borne to flye and runne away And leaue the Mortimers conquerers behind Giue me my horse and le ts r'enforce our troupes And in this bed of honor die with fame Bal. O no my lord this princely resolution Fits not the time away we are pursu'd Edmund alone with a sword and target Edm. This way he fled but I am come too late Edward alas my hart relents for thee Proud traytor Mortimer why doost thou chase Thy lawfull king thy soueraigne with thy sword Vilde wretch and why hast thou of all vnkinde Borne armes against thy brother and thy king Raigne showers of vengeance on my cursed head Thou God to whom in iustice it belongs To punish this vnnaturall reuolt Edward this Mortimer aimes at thy life O fly him then but Edmund calme this rage Dissemble or thou diest for Mortimer And Isabell doe kisse while they conspire And yet she beares a face of loue forsooth Fie on that loue that hatcheth death and hate Edmund away Bristow to Longshankes blood Is false be not found single for suspect Proud Mortimer pries neare into thy walkes Enter the Queene Mortimer the young Prince and Sir Iohn of Henolt Qu. Succesfull battells giues the God of kings To them that fight in right and feare his wrath Since then succesfully we haue preuayled Thankes be heauens great architect and you Ere farther we proceede my noble lordes We heere create our welbeloued sonne Of loue and care vnto his royall person Lord warden of the realme and sith the fates Haue made his father so infortunate Deale you my lords in this my louing lords As to your wisdomes fittest seemes in all Edm. Madam without offence if I may aske How will you deale with Edward in his fall Prince Tell me good vnckle what Edward doe you meane Edm. Nephew your father I dare not call him king Mor. My lord of Kent what needes these questions T is not in her controulment nor in ours But as the realme and parlement shall please So shall your brother be disposed of I like not this relenting moode in Edmund Madam t is good to looke to him betimes Qu. My lord the Maior of Bristow knows our mind Mor. Yea madam and they scape not easilie That fled the feeld Qu. Baldock is with the king A goodly chauncelor is he not my lord S. Ioh. So are the Spencers the father and the sonne Edm. This Edward is the ruine of the realme Enter Rice ap Howell and the Maior of Bristow with Spencer the father Rice God saue Queene Isabell her princely sonne Madam the Maior and Citizens of Bristow In signe of loue and dutie to this presence Present by me this traitor to the state Spencer the father to that wanton Spencer That like the lawles Catiline of Rome Reueld in Englands wealth and treasurie Qu. We thanke you all Mor. iu. Your louing care in this Deserueth princelie fauors and rewardes But where 's the king and the other Spencer fled Rice Spencer the sonne created earle of Gloster Is with that smoothe toongd scholler Baldock gone And shipt but late for Ireland with the king Mort. iu. Some whirle winde fetche them backe or sincke them all They shal be started thence I doubt it not Prin. Shall I not see the king my father yet Edmund Vnhappie Edward chaste from Englands bounds S. Ioh. Madam what resteth why stand ye in a muse Qu. I rue my lords ill fortune but alas Care of my countrie cald me to this warre Mort. Madam haue done with care sad complaine Your king hath wrongd your countrie and himselfe And we must seeke to right it as we may Meane while haue hence this rebell to the blocke Your lordship cannot priuiledge your head Spen. pa. Rebell is he that fights against his prince So fought not they that fought in Edwards right Mort. Take him away he prates you Rice ap howell Shall do good seruice to her Maiestie Being of countenance in your countrey here To follow these rebellious runnagates We in meane while madam must take aduise How Baldocke Spencer and their complices May in their fall be followed to their end Exeunt omnes Enter the Abbot Monkes Edward Spencer and Baldocke Abbot Haue you no doubt my Lorde haue you no feare As silent and as carefull will we be To keepe your royall person safe with vs Free from suspect and fell inuasion Of such as haue your maiestie in chase Your selfe and those your chosen companie As daunger of this stormie time requires Edwa. Father thy face should harbor no deceit O hadst thou euer beene a king thy hart Pierced deeply with sence of my distresse Could not but take compassion of my state Stately and proud in riches and in traine Whilom I was powerfull and full of pompe But what is he whome rule and emperie Haue not in life or death made miserable Come Spencer come Baldocke come sit downe by me Make triall now of that philosophie That in our famous nurseries of artes Thou suckedst from Plato and from Aristotle Father this life contemplatiue is heauen O that I might this life in quiet lead But we alas are chaste and you my friends Your liues and my dishonor they pursue Yet gentle monkes for treasure golde nor fee Do you betray vs and our companie Monks Your grace may sit secure if none but wee doe wot of your abode Spen. Not one aliue but shrewdly I suspect A gloomie fellow in a meade belowe A gaue a long looke after vs my lord And all the land I know is vp in armes Armes that pursue our liues with deadly hate Bald. We were imbarkt for Ireland wretched we With awkward windes and sore tempests driuen To fall on shoare and here to pine in feare Of Mortimer and his confederates Edw. Mortimer who talkes of Mortimer Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer That bloudy man good father on thy lap Lay I this head laden with mickle care O might I neuer open these eyes againe Neuer againe lift vp this drooping head O neuer more lift vp this dying hart Spen. son Looke vp my lord Baldock this drowsines Betides no good here euen we are betraied Enter with Welch hookes Rice vp Howell a Mower and the Earle of Leicester Mower Vpon my life those be the men ye see Rice Fellow enough my lord I pray be short A faire commission warrants what we do Lei. The Queenes commission vrgd by Mortimer What cannot gallant Mortimer with the Queene Alas see where he sits and hopes vnseene T' escape their hands that seeke to reaue his life Too true it is quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens iacentem But Leister leaue to growe so passionate Spencer and Baldocke
by no other names I arrest you of high treason here Stand not on titles but obay th' arrest T is in the name of Isabell the Queene My lord why droope you thus Edw. O day the last of all my blisse on earth Center of all misfortune O my starres Why do you lowre vnkindly on a king Comes Leister then in Isabellas name To take my life my companie from me Here man rip vp this panting brest of mine And take my heart in reskew of my friends Rice Away with them Spen. iu. It may be come thee yet To let vs take our farewell of his grace Abb. My heart with pittie earnes to see this sight A king to beare these words and proud commaunds Edw. Spencer a sweet Spencer thus then must we part Spen. iu. We must my lord so will the angry heauens Edw. Nay so will hell and cruell Mortimer The gentle heauens haue not to do in this Bald. My lord it is in vaine to greeue or storme Here humblie of your grace we take our leaues Our lots are cast I feare me so is thine Edwa. In heauen wee may in earth neuer shall wee meete And Leister say what shall become of vs Leist. Your maiestie must go to Killingworth Edw. Must t is somwhat hard when kings must go Leist. Here is a Litter readie for your grace That waites your pleasure and the day growes old Rice As good be gon as stay and be benighted Edw. A litter hast thou lay me in a hearse And to the gates of hell conuay me hence Let Plutos bels ring out my fatall knell And hags howle for my death at Charons shore For friends hath Edward none but these and these And these must die vnder a tyrants sword Rice My lord be going care not for these For we shall see them shorter by the heads Edw. Well that shal be shal be part we must Sweete Spencer gentle Baldocke part we must Hence fained weeds vnfained are my woes Father farewell Leister thou staist for me And go I must life farewell with my friends Exeunt Edward and Leicester Spen. iu. O is he gone is noble Edward gone Parted from hence neuer to see vs more Rent sphere of heauen and fier forsake thy orbe Earth melt to ayre gone is my soueraigne Gone gone alas neuer to make returne Bald. Spencer I see our soules are fleeted hence We are depriude the sun-shine of our life Make for a new life man throw vp thy eyes And hart and hand to heauens immortall throne Pay natures debt with cheerefull countenance Reduce we all our lessons vnto this To die sweet Spencer therefore liue wee all Spencer all liue to die and rise to fall Rice Come come keepe these preachments till you come to the place appointed You and such as you are haue made wise worke in England Will your Lordships away Mower Your worship I trust will remember me Rice Remember thee fellow what else Follow me to the towne Enter the king Leicester with a Bishop for the crowne Lei. Be patient good my lord cease to lament Imagine Killingworth castell were your court And that you lay for pleasure here a space Not of compulsion or neceissitie Edw. Leister if gentle words might comfort me Thy speeches long agoe had easde my sorrowes For kinde and louing hast thou alwaies beene The greefes of priuate men are soone allayde But not of kings the forrest Deare being strucke Runnes to an herbe that closeth vp the wounds But when the imperiall Lions flesh is gorde He rends and teares it with his wrathfull pawe Highly scorning that the lowly earth Should drinke his bloud mounts vp into the ayre And so it fares with me whose dauntlesse minde The ambitious Mortimer would seeke to curbe And that vnnaturall Queene false Isabell That thus hath pent and mu'd me in a prison For such outragious passions cloye my soule As with the wings of rancor and disdaine Full often am I sowring vp to heauen To plaine me to the gods against them both But when I call to minde I am a king Me thinkes I should reuenge me of the wronges That Mortimer and Isabell haue done But what are kings when regiment is gone But perfect shadowes in a sun-shine day My nobles rule I beare the name of king I weare the crowne but am contrould by them By Mortimer and my vnconstant Queene Who spots my nuptiall bed with infamie Whilst I am lodgd within this caue of care Where sorrow at my elbow still attends To companie my hart with sad laments That bleedes within me for this strange exchange But tell me must I now resigne my crowne To make vsurping Mortimer a king Bish. Your grace mistakes it is for Englands good And princely Edwards right we craue the crowne Edw. No t is for Mortimer not Edwards head For hee s a lambe encompassed by Woolues Which in a moment will abridge his life But if proud Mortimer do weare this crowne Heauens turne it to a blaze of quenchelesse fier Or like the snakie wreathe of Tisiphon Engirt the temples of his hatefull head So shall not Englands Vines be perished But Edwards name suruiues though Edward dies Lei. My lord why waste you thus the time away They stay your answer will you yeeld your crowne Edw. Ah Leister way how hardly I can brooke To loose my crowne and kingdome without cause To giue ambitious Mortimer my right That like a mountaine ouerwhelmes my blisse In which extreame my minde here murthered is But what the heauens appoint I must obaye Here take my crowne the life of Edward too Two kings in England cannot raigne at once But stay a while let me be king till night That I may gaze vpon this glittering crowne So shall my eyes receiue their last content My head the latest honor dew to it And ioyntly both yeeld vp their wished right Continue euer thou celestiall sunne Let neuer silent night possesse this clime Stand still you watches of the element All times and seasons rest you at a stay That Edward may be still faire Englands king But dayes bright beames dooth vanish fast away And needes I must resigne my wished crowne In humaine creatures nurst with Tigers milke Why gape you for your soueraignes ouerthrow My diadem I meane and guiltlesse life See monsters see I le weare my crowne againe What feare you not the furie of your king But haplesse Edward thou art fondly led They passe not for thy frownes as late they did But seekes to make a new elected king Which fils my mind with strange despairing thoughts Which thoughts are martyred with endles torments And in this torment comfort finde I none But that I feele the crowne vpon my head And therefore let me weare it yet a while Tru. My Lorde the parlement must haue present newes And therefore say will you resigne or no The king rageth Edw. I le not resigne but whilst I liue Traitors be gon and ioine you with Mortimer Elect conspire install do what you
throte To pierce the wind-pipe with a needles point Or whilst one is a sleepe to take a quill And blowe a little powder in his eares Or open his mouth and powre quick siluer downe But yet I haue a brauer way then these Mort. iu. What 's that Light Nay you shall pardon me none shall knowe my trickes Mort. iu. I care not how it is so it be not spide Deliuer this to Gurney and Matreuis At euery ten miles end thou hast a horse Take this away and neuer see me more Lightborne No Mort. iu. No vnlesse thou bring me newes of Edwards death Light That will I quicklie do farewell my lord Mor. The prince I rule the queene do I commaund And with a lowly conge to the ground The proudest lords salute me as I passe I seale I cancell I do what I will Feard am I more then lou'd let me be feard And when I frowne make all the court looke pale I view the prince with Aristorchus eyes Whose lookes were as a breeching to a boye They thrust vpon me the Protectorship And sue to me for that that I desire While at the councell table graue enough And not vnlike a bashfull paretaine First I complaine of imbecilitie Saying it is onus quam grauissimum Till being interrupted by my friends Suscepi that prouinciam as they terme it And to conclude I am Protector now Now is all sure the Queene and Mortimer Shall rule the realme the king and none rule vs Mine enemies will I plague my friends aduance And what I list commaund who dare controwle Maior sum quam cui possit fortuna nocere And that this be the coronation day It pleaseth me and Isabell the Queene The trumpets sound I must go take my place Enter the yong King Bishop Champion Nobles Queene Bish. Long liue king Edward by the grace of God King of England and lorde of Ireland Cham. If any Christian Heathen Turke or Iew Dares but affirme that Edwards not true king And will auouche his saying with the sworde I am the Champion that will combate him Mort. iu. None comes sound trumpets King Champion heere 's to thee Qu. Lord Mortimer now take him to your charge Enter Souldiers with the Earle of Kent prisoner Mor. iu. What traitor haue wee there with blades and billes Sould. Edmund the Earle of Kent King What hath he done Sould. A would haue taken the king away perforce As we were bringing him to Killingworth Mortimer iu. Did you attempt his rescue Edmund speake Edm. Mortimer I did he is our king And thou compelst this prince to weare the crowne Mort. iu. Strike off his head he shall haue marshall lawe Edm. Strike of my head base traitor I defie thee King My lord he is my vnckle and shall liue Mor. iu. My lord he is your enemie and shall die Edmund Staie villaines King Sweete mother if I cannot pardon him Intreate my lord Protector for his life Qu. Sonne be content I dare not speake a worde King Nor I and yet me thinkes I should commaund But seeing I cannot I le entreate for him My lord if you will let my vnckle liue I will requite it when I come to age Mort. iu. T is for your highnesse good and for the realmes How often shall I bid you beare him hence Edm. Art thou king must I die at thy commaund Mort. iu. At our commaund once more away with him Edm. Let me but stay and speake I will not go Either my brother or his sonne is king And none of both then thirst for Edmunds bloud And therefore soldiers whether will you hale me They hale Edmund away and carie him to be beheaded King What safetie may I looke for at his hands If that my Vnckle shall be murthered thus Queen Feare not sweete boye I le garde thee from thy foes Had Edmund liu'de he would haue sought thy death Come sonne wee le ride a hunting in the parke King And shall my Vnckle Edmund ride with vs Queene He is a traitor thinke not on him come Exeunt omnes Enter Matr. and Gurney Matr. Gurney I wonder the king dies not Being in a vault vp to the knees in water To which the channels of the castell runne From whence a dampe continually ariseth That were enough to poison any man Much more a king brought vp so tenderlie Gurn. And so do I Matreuis yesternight I opened but the doore to throw him meate And I was almost stifeled with the sauor Matr. He hath a body able to endure More then we can enflict and therefore now Let vs assaile his minde another while Gurn. Send for him out thence and I will anger him Matr. But stay whos 's this Enter Lightborne Light My lord protector greetes you Gurn. What 's heere I know not how to conster it Matr. Gurney it was left vnpointed for the nonce Edwardum occidere nolite timere That 's his meaning Light Know you this token I must haue the king Matr. I stay a while thou shalt haue answer straight This villain 's sent to make away the king Gurney I thought as much Matr. And when the murders done See how he must be handled for his labour Pereat iste let him haue the king What else heere is the keyes this is the lake Doe as you are commaunded by my lord Light I know what I must do get you away Yet be not farre off I shall need your helpe See that in the next roome I haue a fier And get me a spit and let it be red hote Matre. Very well Gurn. Neede you any thing besides Light What else a table and a fetherbed Gurn. That 's all Light I I so when I call you bring it in Matre. Feare not you that Gurn. Heere 's a light to go into the dungeon Lightbor. So now must I about this geare nere was there any So finely handled as this king shal be Foh heere 's a place in deed with all my hart Edward VVhos 's there what light is that wherefore comes thou Light To comfort you and bring you ioyfull newes Edward Small comfort findes poore Edward in thy lookes Villaine I know thou comst to murther me Light To murther you my most gratious lorde Farre is it from my hart to do you harme The Queene sent me to see how you were vsed For she relents at this your miserie And what eyes can refraine from shedding teares To see a king in this most pittious state Edw. VVeepst thou already list a while to me And then thy heart were it as Gurneys is Or as Matreuis hewne from the Caucasus Yet will it melt ere I haue done my tale This dungeon where they keepe me is the sincke Wherein the filthe of all the castell falles Light O villaines Edw. And there in mire and puddle haue I stood This ten dayes space and least that I should sleepe One plaies continually vpon a Drum They giue me bread and water being a king So that for want of sleepe and sustenance My