Volume II Part 38 (2/2)

And in his place of honour and of trust, Spencer, sweet Spencer, I adopt thee here: And merely of our love we do create thee Earl of Gloucester, and Lord Chamberlain, Despite of times, despite of enemies.

_Y. Spen._ My Lord, here is[265] a messenger from the barons Desires access unto your majesty.

_Edw._ Admit him near. 150

_Enter the_ Herald _from the_ Barons, _with his coat of arms._

_Her._ Long live King Edward, England's lawful lord!

_Edw._ So wish not they, I wis, that sent thee hither.

Thou com'st from Mortimer and his complices, A ranker rout[266] of rebels never was.

Well, say thy message.

_Her._ The barons up in arms, by me salute Your highness with long life and happiness; And bid me say, as plainer to your grace, That if without effusion of blood You will this grief have ease and remedy, 160 That from your princely person you remove This Spencer, as a putrefying branch, That deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves[267]

Empale your princely head, your diadem, Whose brightness such pernicious upstarts dim, Say they; and lovingly advise your grace, To cherish virtue and n.o.bility, And have old servitors in high esteem, And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers: This granted, they, their honours, and their lives, 170 Are to your highness vowed and consecrate.

_Y. Spen._ Ah, traitors! will they still display their pride?

_Edw._ Away, tarry no answer, but be gone!

Rebels, will they appoint their sovereign His sports, his pleasures, and his company?

Yet, ere thou go, see how I do divorce [_Embraces_ SPENCER.

Spencer from me.--Now get thee to thy lords, And tell them I will come to chastise them For murdering Gaveston; hie thee, get thee gone!

Edward with fire and sword follows at thy heels. 180 My lord[s], perceive you how these rebels swell?

Soldiers, good hearts, defend your sovereign's right, For now, even now, we march to make them stoop.

Away!

[_Exeunt. Alarums, excursions, a great fight, and a retreat._

SCENE III.

_Enter the_ KING, OLD SPENCER, YOUNG SPENCER, _and the_ n.o.blemen _of the_ KING'S _side_.

_Edw._ Why do we sound retreat? upon them, lords!

This day I shall pour vengeance with my sword On those proud rebels that are up in arms, And do confront and countermand their king.

_Y. Spen._ I doubt it not, my lord, right will prevail.

_O. Spen._ 'Tis not amiss, my liege, for either part To breathe awhile; our men, with sweat and dust All choked well near, begin to faint for heat; And this retire refresheth horse and man.

_Y. Spen._ Here come the rebels. 10

_Enter_ YOUNG MORTIMER, LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, _&c_.

_E. Mor._ Look, Lancaster, yonder is Edward Among his flatterers.

_Lan._ And there let him be Till he pay dearly for their company.

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