TheStationersRegister

The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Edward II

Act: 1 Scene: 1

Edward

Lancaster.

Edward

Will you not graunt me this?—In spight of them[Aside.]

Ile have my will, and these two Mortimers,

That crosse me thus, shall know I am displeasd.

Edward

Well Mortimer, ile 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 have Gaveston, and you shall know,

What danger tis to stand against your king.

Edward

I yours, and therefore I would wish you graunt.

Edward

I cannot brooke these hautie menaces:

Am I a king and must be over rulde?

Brother displaie my ensignes in the field,

Ile bandie with the Barons and the Earles,

And eyther die, or live with Gaveston.

Edward

What Gaveston, welcome: kis not my hand,

Embrace me Gaveston as I do thee:

Why shouldst thou kneele, knowest thou not who I am?

Thy friend, thy selfe, another Gaveston .

Not Hilas was more mourned of Hercules,

Then thou hast beene of me since thy exile.

Edward

I know it, brother welcome home my friend.

Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire,

And that high minded earle of Lancaster,

I have my wish, in that I joy thy sight,

And sooner shall the sea orewhelme my land,

Then beare the ship that shall transport thee hence:

I heere create thee Lord high Chamberlaine,

Cheefe Secretarie to the state and me,

Earle of Cornewall, king and lord of Man.

Edward

Cease brother, for I cannot brooke these words:

Thy woorth sweet friend is far above my guifts,

Therefore to equall it receive my hart.

If for these dignities thou be envied,

Ile give thee more, for but to honour thee,

Is Edward pleazd with kinglie regiment.

Fearst thou thy person? thou shalt have a guard:

Wants thou gold? go to my treasurie:

Wouldst thou be lovde and fearde? receive my seale,

Save or condemne, and in our name commaund,

What so thy minde affectes or fancie likes.

Edward

whether goes my Lord of Coventrie so fast?

Edward

I priest, and lives to be revengd on thee,

That wert the onely cause of his exile.

Edward

Throwe of his golden miter, rend his stole,

And in the channell christen him a new.

Edward

No, spare his life, but seaze upon his goods,

Be thou lord bishop, and receive his rents,

And make him serve thee as thy chaplaine,

I give him thee, here use him as thou wilt.

Edward

I, to the tower, the fleete, or where thou wilt.

Edward

Whose there? conveie this priest to the tower.

Edward

But in the meane time Gaveston away,

And take possession of his house and goods:

Come follow me, and thou shalt have my guarde,

To see it done, and bring thee safe againe.