Edward II

Mortimer’s.
Pliny reports there is a flying-fish
Which all the other fishes deadly hate,
And therefore, being pursued, it takes the air:
No sooner is it up, but there’s a fowl
That seizeth it: this fish, my lord, I bear;
The motto this, Undique mors est. Kent

Proud Mortimer! ungentle Lancaster!
Is this the love you bear your sovereign?
Is this the fruit your reconcilement bears?
Can you in words make show of amity,
And in your shields display your rancorous minds?
What call you this but private libelling
Against the Earl of Cornwall and my brother?

Queen Isabella Sweet husband, be content; they all love you. King Edward

They love me not that hate my Gaveston.
I am that cedar; shake me not too much;
And you the eagles; soar ye ne’er so high,
I have the jesses that will pull you down;
And Aeque tandem shall that canker cry
Unto the proudest peer of Britainy.
Thou that compar’st him to a flying-fish,
And threaten’st death whether he rise or fall,
’Tis not the hugest monster of the sea,
Nor foulest harpy, that shall swallow him.

Younger Mortimer

If in his absence thus he favours him,
What will he do whenas he shall be present?

Lancaster That shall we see: look, where his lordship comes! Enter Gaveston. King Edward

My Gaveston!
Welcome to Tynmouth! welcome to thy friend!
Thy absence made me droop and pine away;
For, as the lovers of fair Danae,
When she was locked up in a brazen tower,
Desired her more, and waxed outrageous,
So did it fare with me: and now thy sight
Is sweeter far than was thy parting hence
Bitter and irksome to my sobbing heart.

Gaveston

Sweet lord and king, your speech preventeth mine;
Yet have I words left to express my joy:
The shepherd, nipt with biting winter’s rage,
Frolics not more to see the painted spring
Than I do to behold your majesty.

King Edward Will none of you salute my Gaveston? Lancaster Salute him! yes.⁠—Welcome, Lord Chamberlain! Younger Mortimer Welcome is the good Earl of Cornwall! Warwick Welcome, Lord Governor of the Isle of Man! Pembroke Welcome, Master Secretary! Kent Brother, do you hear them? King Edward Still will these earls and barons use me thus? Gaveston My lord, I cannot brook these injuries. Queen Isabella Aside. Ay me, poor soul, when these begin to jar! King Edward Return it to their throats; I’ll be thy warrant. Gaveston

Base, leaden earls, that glory in your birth,
Go sit at home, and eat your tenants’ beef;
And come not here to scoff at Gaveston,
Whose mounting thoughts did never creep so low
As to bestow a look on such as you.

Lancaster Yet I disdain not to do this for you. Draws his sword, and offers to stab Gaveston. King Edward Treason! treason! where’s the traitor? Pembroke Here, here! King Edward Convey hence Gaveston; they’ll murder him. Gaveston The life of thee shall salve this foul disgrace. Younger Mortimer Villain, thy life! unless I miss mine aim. Wounds Gaveston. Queen Isabella Ah, furious Mortimer, what hast thou done? Younger Mortimer No more than I would answer, were he slain. Exit Gaveston with Attendants. King Edward

Yes, more than thou canst answer, though he live:
Dear shall you both abide this riotous deed:
Out of my presence! come not near the court.

Younger Mortimer I’ll not be barred the court for Gaveston. Lancaster We’ll hale him by the ears unto the block. King Edward Look to your own heads; his is sure enough. Warwick Look to your own crown, if you back him thus. Kent Warwick, these words do ill beseem thy years. King Edward

Nay, all of them conspire to cross me thus:
But, if I live, I’ll tread upon their heads
That think with high looks thus to tread me down.
Come, Edmund, let’s away, and levy men:
’Tis war that must abate these barons’ pride.

Exeunt King Edward, Queen Isabella, and Kent. Warwick Let’s to our castles, for the king is moved. Younger Mortimer Moved may he be, and perish in his wrath! Lancaster

Cousin, it is no dealing with him now;
He means to make us stoop by force of arms:
And therefore let us jointly here protest
To prosecute that Gaveston to the death.

Younger Mortimer By heaven, the abject villain shall not live! Warwick I’ll have his blood, or die in seeking it. Pembroke The like oath Pembroke takes. Lancaster

And so doth Lancaster.
Now send our heralds to defy the king;
And make the people swear to put him down.

Enter a Messenger. Younger Mortimer Letters! from whence? Messenger Giving letters to Mortimer. From Scotland, my lord. Lancaster Why, how now, cousin! how fare all our friends? Younger Mortimer My uncle’s taken prisoner by the Scots. Lancaster We’ll have him ransomed, man: be of good cheer. Younger Mortimer

They rate his ransom at five thousand pound.
Who should defray the money but the king,
Seeing he is taken prisoner in his wars?
I’ll to the king.

Lancaster Do, cousin, and I’ll bear thee company. Warwick

Meantime my Lord of Pembroke and myself
Will to Newcastle here, and gather head.

Younger Mortimer About it, then, and we will follow you. Lancaster Be resolute and full of secrecy. Warwick I warrant you. Exit with Pembroke. Younger Mortimer

Cousin, an if he will not ransom him,
I’ll thunder such a peal into his ears
As never subject did unto his king.

Lancaster

Content; I’ll bear my part.⁠—Hollo! who’s there?

Enter Guard. Younger Mortimer Ay, marry, such a guard as this doth well. Lancaster Lead on the way. Guard Whither will your lordships? Younger Mortimer Whither else but to the king? Guard His highness is disposed to be alone. Lancaster Why, so he may; but we will speak to him. Guard You may not in, my lord. Younger Mortimer May we not? Enter King Edward and Kent. King Edward

How now!
What noise is this? who have we here? is’t you? Going.

Younger Mortimer

Nay, stay, my lord; I come to bring you news;
Mine uncle’s taken prisoner by the Scots.

King Edward Then ransom him. Lancaster ’Twas in your wars; you should ransom him. Younger Mortimer And you will ransom him, or else⁠— Kent What, Mortimer, you will not threaten him? King Edward

Quiet yourself; you shall have the broad seal,
To gather for him throughout the realm.

Lancaster Your minion Gaveston hath taught you this. Younger Mortimer

My lord, the family of