Edward II

the Earl of Kent. Queen Isabella

Something he whispers in his childish ears.

Younger Mortimer

If he have such access unto the prince,
Our plots and stratagems will soon be dashed.

Queen Isabella Use Edmund friendly, as if all were well. Enter Prince Edward, and Kent talking with him. Younger Mortimer How fares my honourable Lord of Kent? Kent In health, sweet Mortimer.⁠—How fares your grace? Queen Isabella Well, if my lord your brother were enlarged. Kent I hear of late he hath deposed himself. Queen Isabella The more my grief. Younger Mortimer And mine. Kent Aside. Ah, they do dissemble! Queen Isabella Sweet son, come hither; I must talk with thee. Younger Mortimer

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,
But she that gave him life? I mean the queen.

Prince Edward

Mother, persuade me not to wear the crown:
Let him be king; I am too young to reign.

Queen Isabella But be content, seeing ’tis his highness’ pleasure. Prince Edward Let me but see him first, and then I will. Kent Ay, do, sweet nephew. Queen Isabella Brother, you know it is impossible. Prince Edward Why, is he dead? Queen Isabella No, God forbid! Kent I would those words proceeded from your heart! Younger Mortimer

Inconstant Edmund, dost thou favour him,
That wast a cause of his imprisonment?

Kent The more cause now have I to make amends. Younger Mortimer

Aside to Queen Isabella. I tell thee, ’tis not meet that one so false
Should come about the person of a prince.⁠—
My lord, he hath betrayed the king his brother,
And therefore trust him not.

Prince Edward But he repents, and sorrows for it now. Queen Isabella Come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me. Prince Edward With you I will, but not with Mortimer. Younger Mortimer

Why, youngling, ’sdain’st thou so of Mortimer?
Then I will carry thee by force away.

Prince Edward Help, uncle Kent! Mortimer will wrong me. Queen Isabella

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 Isabella Edward is my son, and I will keep him. Kent

Aside. Mortimer shall know that he hath wronged me.
Hence will I haste to Killingworth Castle,
And rescue aged Edward from his foes,
To be revenged on Mortimer and thee.

Exeunt, on the one side, Queen Isabella, Prince Edward, and the Younger Mortimer; on other other, Kent.

Scene III

Near Kenilworth Castle.

	Enter Matrevis, Gurney, and Soldiers, with King Edward.
Matrevis	My lord, be not pensive; we are your friends: Men are ordained to live in misery; Therefore, come; dalliance dangereth our lives.
King Edward	Friends, whither must unhappy Edward go? Will hateful Mortimer appoint no rest? Must I be vexed like the nightly bird, Whose sight is loathsome to all winged 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, And give my heart to Isabel and him: It is the chiefest mark they level at.
Gurney	Not so, my liege: the queen hath given this charge, To keep your grace in safety: Your passions make your dolours to increase.
King Edward	This usage makes my misery increase. But can my air of life continue long, When all my senses are annoyed with stench? Within a dungeon England’s king is kept, Where I am starved for want of sustenance; My daily diet is heartbreaking sobs, That almost rent the closet of my heart: Thus lives old Edward not relieved by any, And so must die, though pitied by many. O, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst, And clear my body from foul excrements!
Matrevis	Here’s channel-water, as our charge is given: Sit down, for we’ll be barbers to your grace.
King Edward	Traitors, away! what, will you murder me, Or choke your sovereign with puddle-water?
Gurney	No, but wash your face, and shave away your beard, Lest you be known, and so be rescued.
Matrevis	Why strive you thus? your labour is in vain!
King Edward	f The wren may strive against the lion’s strength, But all in vain: so vainly do I strive To seek for mercy at a tyrant’s hand.
	They wash him with puddle-water, and shave his beard away.
	Immortal powers, that know the painful cares That wait upon my poor distressed soul, O, level all your looks upon these daring men That wrong their liege and sovereign, England’s king! O Gaveston, it is for thee that I am wronged! For me both thou and both the Spensers died; And for your sakes a thousand wrongs I’ll take. The Spensers’ ghosts, wherever they remain, Wish well to mine; then, tush, for them I’ll die.
Matrevis	’Twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity. Come, come, away! Now put the torches out: We’ll enter in by darkness to Killingworth.
Gurney	How now! who comes there?
	Enter Kent.
Matrevis	Guard the king sure: it is the Earl of Kent.
King Edward	O gentle brother, help to rescue me!
Matrevis	Keep them asunder; thrust in the king.
Kent	Soldiers, let me but talk to him one word.
Gurney	Lay hands upon the earl for his assault.
Kent	Lay down your weapons, traitors! yield the king!
Matrevis	Edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die.
Kent	Base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus?
Gurney	Bind him, and so convey him to the court.
Kent	Where is the court but here? here is the king And I will visit him: why stay you me?
Matrevis	The court is where Lord Mortimer remains: Thither shall your honour go; and so, farewell.
	Exeunt Matrevis and Gurney with King Edward.
Kent	O, miserable is that commonweal, Where lords keep courts, and kings are locked in prison!
First Soldier	Wherefore stay we? on, sirs, to the court!
Kent	Ay, lead me whither you will, even to my death, Seeing that my brother cannot be released.
	Exeunt.

Scene IV

The Royal Palace, London.

	Enter the Younger Mortimer.
Younger Mortimer	The king must die, or Mortimer goes down; The commons now begin to pity him: Yet he that is the cause of Edward’s death, Is sure to pay for it when his son’s of