_Y. Mor_. I, if words will serve; if not, I must.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE III.

_Enter[188]_ GAVESTON _and the_ EARL _of_ KENT.

_Gav._ Edmund, the mighty prince of Lancaster, That hath more earldoms than an a.s.s can bear, And both the Mortimers, two goodly men, With Guy of Warwick, that redoubted knight, Are gone toward Lambeth--there let them remain.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE IV.

_Enter[189]_ n.o.bLES _and the_ ARCHBISHOP _of_ CANTERBURY.

_Lan._ Here is the form of Gaveston's exile: May it please your lordship to subscribe your name.

_Archbish._ Give me the paper.

[_He subscribes, as the others do after him._

_Lan._ Quick, quick, my lord; I long to write my name.

_War._ But I long more to see him banished hence.

_Y. Mor._ The name of Mortimer shall fright the king, Unless he be declined from that base peasant.

_Enter the_ KING, GAVESTON, _and_ KENT.

_Edw._ What, are you moved that Gaveston sits here?

It is our pleasure, and we will have it so.

_Lan._ Your grace doth well to place him by your side, 10 For nowhere else the new earl is so safe.

_E. Mor._ What man of n.o.ble birth can brook this sight?

_Quam male conveniunt!_[190]

See what a scornful look the peasant casts!

_Pem._ Can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants?

_War._ Ign.o.ble va.s.sal, that like Phaeton Aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun.

_Y. Mor._ Their downfall is at hand, their forces down: We will not thus be faced and over-peered.

_Edw._ Lay hands on[191] that traitor Mortimer! 20

_E. Mor._ Lay hands on that traitor Gaveston!

_Kent._ Is this the duty that you owe your king?

_War._ We know our duties--let him know his peers.

_Edw._ Whither will you bear him? Stay, or ye shall die.

_E. Mor._ We are no traitors; therefore threaten not.

_Gav._ No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home!

Were I a king----

_Y. Mor._ Thou villain, wherefore talk'st thou of a king, That hardly art a gentleman by birth?

_Edw._ Were he a peasant, being my minion, 30 I'll make the proudest of you stoop to him.

_Lan._ My lord, you may not thus disparage us.

Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston.

_E. Mor._ And with the Earl of Kent that favours him.

[Attendants _remove_ KENT _and_ GAVESTON.

_Edw._ Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king, Here, Mortimer, sit thou in Edward's throne: Warwick and Lancaster, wear you my crown: Was ever king thus over-ruled as I?

_Lan._ Learn then to rule us better, and the realm.

_Y. Mor._ What we have done, our heart-blood shall maintain. 40

_War._ Think you that we can brook this upstart pride?

_Edw._ Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech.

_Archbish._ Why are you moved? be patient, my lord, And see what we your counsellors have done.

_Y. Mor._ My lords, now let us all be resolute, And either have our wills or lose our lives.

_Edw._ Meet you for this? proud overbearing peers!

Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me, This isle shall fleet[192] upon the ocean, And wander to the unfrequented Inde. 50

_Archbish._ You know that I am legate to the pope; On your allegiance to the see of Rome, Subscribe, as we have done, to his exile.

_Y. Mor._ Curse him, if he refuse; and then may we Depose him and elect another king.

_Edw._ I, there it goes--but yet I will not yield: Curse me, depose me, do the worst you can.

_Lan._ Then linger not, my lord, but do it straight.

_Archbish._ Remember how the bishop was abused!

Either banish him that was the cause thereof, 60 Or I will presently discharge these lords[193]

Of duty and allegiance due to thee.

_Edw._ It boots me not to threat--I must speak fair: [_Aside._ The legate of the pope will be obeyed.