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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Edward II

Act: 3 Scene: 1

Edward

I long to heare an answer from the Barons

Touching my friend, my deerest Gaveston.

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,

Warwick I know is roughe, and Lancaster

Inexorable, and I shall never see

My lovely Pierce , my Gaveston againe,

The Barons overbeare me with their pride.

Edward

Yea gentle Spencer, we have beene too milde,

Too kinde to them, but now have drawne our sword,

And if they send me not my Gaveston,

Weele steele it on their crest, and powle their tops.

Edward

Welcome old man, comst thou in Edwards aide?

Then tell thy prince, of whence, and what thou art.

Edward

Thy father Spencer?

Edward

Welcome ten thousand times, old man againe.

Spencer, this love, 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 favour,

That as the sun-shine shall reflect ore thee:

Beside, the more to manifest our love,

Because we heare Lord Bruse dooth sell his land,

And that the Mortimers are in hand withall,

Thou shalt have crownes of us, t'out bid the Barons,

And Spencer, spare them not, but lay it on.

Souldiers a largis, and thrice welcome all.

Edward

Madam, what newes?

Edward

Welcome Levune, tush Sib, if this be all,

Valoys and I will soone be friends againe.

But to my Gaveston: shall I never see,

Never 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 bravelie to the king,

And do your message with a majestie.

Edward

Madam, we will that you with speed be shipt,

And this our sonne, Levune shall follow you,

With all the hast we can dispatch him hence.

Choose of our lords to beare you companie,

And go in peace, leave us in warres at home.

Edward

What lord Arundell, dost thou come alone?

Edward

Ah traitors, have they put my friend to death?

Tell me Arundell, died he ere thou camst,

Or didst thou see my friend to take his death?

Arundell. 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, upon the honour of my name,

That I would undertake to carrie him

Unto your highnes, and to bring him back.

Edward

And tell me, would the rebels denie me that?

Edward

Yea Spencer, traitors all.

Edward

Well, and how fortunes that he came not?

Edward

O shall I speake, or shall I sigh and die!

Edward

Admit him neere.

Edward

So wish not they Iwis that sent thee hither,

Thou comst from Mortimer and his complices,

A ranker route of rebels never was:

Well, say thy message.

Edward

Away, tarrie no answer, but be gon.

Rebels, will they appoint their soveraigne

His sports, his pleasures, and his companie:

Yet ere thou go, see how I do devorce Embrace Spencer.

Spencer from me: now get thee to thy lords,

And tell them I will come to chastise them,

For murthering Gaveston: hie thee, get thee gone,

Edward with fire and sword, followes at thy heeles.

Edward

Why do we sound retreat? upon them lords,

This day I shall powre vengeance with my sword

On those proud rebels that are up in armes,

And do confront and countermaund their king.

Edward

What rebels, do you shrinke, and sound retreat ?

Edward

For which ere long, their heads shall satisfie,

T'appeaze the wrath of their offended king.

Edward

I traitors all, rather then thus be bravde,

Make Englands civill townes huge heapes of stones,

And plowes to go about our pallace gates.

Edward

Saint George for England, and king Edwards right.

Edward

Now lustie lords, now not by chance of warre,

But justice of the quarrell and the cause,

Vaild is your pride: me thinkes you hang the heads,

But weele advance them traitors, now tis time

To be avengd on you for all your braves,

And for the murther of my deerest friend,

To whome right well you knew our soule was knit,

Good Pierce of Gaveston my sweet favoret,

A rebels, recreants, you made him away.

Edward

So sir, you have spoke, away, avoid our presence.

[Exit Kent.]

Accursed wretches, wast in regard of us,

When we had sent our messenger to request

He might be spared to come to speake with us,

And Penbrooke undertooke for his returne,

That thou proud Warwicke watcht the prisoner,

Poore Pierce, and headed him against lawe of armes?

For which thy head shall over looke the rest,

As much as thou in rage out wentst the rest.

Edward

Away with them: my lord of Winchester,

These lustie leaders Warwicke and Lancaster,

I charge you roundly off with both their heads,

Away.

Edward

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.

Edward

Sound drums and trumpets, marche with me my friends,

Edward this day hath crownd him king a new. Exit [attended].

Manent Spencer filius, Levune and Baldock.