Volume II Part 35 (1/2)

[_Exeunt omnes._

SCENE III.

_Enter_[238] LANCASTER, YOUNG MORTIMER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, _and_ KENT.

_Kent._ My lords, of love to this our native land I come to join with you and leave the king; And in your quarrel and the realm's behoof Will be the first that shall adventure life.

_Lan._ I fear me, you are sent of policy, To undermine us with a show of love.

_War._ He is your brother, therefore have we cause To cast[239] the worst, and doubt of your revolt.

_Kent._ Mine honour shall be hostage of my truth: If that will not suffice, farewell, my lords. 10

_Y. Mor._ Stay, Edmund; never was Plantagenet False of his word, and therefore trust we thee.

_Pem._ But what's the reason you should leave him now?

_Kent._ I have informed the Earl of Lancaster.

_Lan._ And it sufficeth. Now, my lords, know this, That Gaveston is secretly arrived, And here in Tynemouth frolics with the king.

Let us with these our followers scale the walls, And suddenly surprise them unawares.

_Y. Mor._ I'll give the onset.

_War._ And I'll follow thee. 20

_Y. Mor._ This tottered[240] ensign of my ancestors, Which swept the desert sh.o.r.e of that dead[241] sea Whereof we got the name of Mortimer, Will I advance upon this castle['s] walls.

Drums, strike alarum, raise them from their sport, And ring aloud the knell of Gaveston!

_Lan._ None be so hardy as [to] touch the king; But neither spare you Gaveston nor his friends.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE IV.

_Enter_[242] _the_ KING _and_ YOUNG SPENCER.

_Edw._ O tell me, Spencer, where is Gaveston?

_Spen._ I fear me, he is slain, my gracious lord.

_Edw._ No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill.

_Enter_ QUEEN, King's Niece, GAVESTON, _and_ n.o.bles.

Fly, fly, my lords, the earls have got the hold; Take s.h.i.+pping and away to Scarborough; Spencer and I will post away by land.

_Gav._ O stay, my lord, they will not injure you.

_Edw._ I will not trust them; Gaveston, away!