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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Edward II

Act: 3 Scene: 1

Were I king Edward, Englands soveraigne,

Sonne to the lovelie Elenor of Spaine,

Great Edward Longshankes issue: would I beare

These braves, this rage, and suffer uncontrowld

These Barons thus to beard me in my land,

In mine owne realme? my lord pardon my speeche,

Did you retaine your fathers magnanimitie,

Did you regard the honor of your name,

You would not suffer thus your majestie

Be counterbuft of your nobilitie.

Strike off their heads, and let them preach on poles,

No doubt, such lessons they will teach the rest,

As by their preachments they will profit much,

And learne obedience to their lawfull king.

True, and it like your grace,

That powres in lieu of all your goodnes showne,

His life, my lord, before your princely feete.

My lord, here comes the Queene.

Proud recreants.

Some treason, or some villanie was cause.

A bloudie part, flatly against law of armes.

My lord, referre your vengeance to the sword,

Upon these Barons, harten up your men,

Let them not unrevengd murther your friends,

Advaunce your standard Edward in the field,

And marche to fire them from their starting holes.

Edward kneeles, and saith.

By earth, the common mother of us all,

By heaven, and all the mooving orbes thereof,

By this right hand, and by my fathers sword,

And all the honors longing to my crowne,

I will have heads, and lives, for him as many,

As I have manors, castels, townes, and towers:

Tretcherous Warwicke, traiterous Mortimer,

If I be Englands king, in lakes of gore

Your headles trunkes, your bodies will I traile,

That you may drinke your fill, and quaffe in bloud,

And staine my roiall standard with the same,

That so my bloudie colours may suggest

Remembrance of revenge immortallie,

On your accursed traiterous progenie,

You villaines that have slaine my Gaveston:

And in this place of honor and of trust, [Rises.]

Spencer, sweet Spencer, I adopt thee heere,

And meerely of our love we do create thee

Earle of Gloster, and lord Chamberlaine,

Despite of times, despite of enemies.

My lord, here is a messenger from the Barons,

Desires accesse unto your majestie.

A traitors, will they still display their pride?

I doubt it not my lord, right will prevaile.

Tis not amisse my liege for eyther part,

To breathe a while, our men with sweat and dust

All chockt well neare, begin to faint for heate,

And this retire refresheth horse and man.

Heere come the rebels.

Traitor on thy face, rebellious Lancaster.

Levune, the trust that we repose in thee,

Begets the quiet of king Edwards land,

Therefore be gon in hast, and with advice,

Bestowe that treasure on the lords of Fraunce,

That therewith all enchaunted like the guarde,

That suffered Jove to passe in showers of golde

To Danae, all aide may be denied

To Isabell the Queene, that now in France

Makes friends, to crosse the seas with her yong sonne,

And step into his fathers regiment.

Then make for Fraunce amaine, Levune away,

Proclaime king Edwards warres and victories.