My lord, these titles far exceed my worth.
KENT. Brother, the least of these may well suffice
For one of greater birth than Gaveston.
EDWARD. Cease, brother, for I cannot brook these words.
Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts:
Therefore, to equal it, receive my heart.
If for these dignities thou be envied,
I'll give thee more, for but to honour thee
Is Edward pleased with kingly regiment.
Fear'st thou thy person? Thou shalt have a guard:
Wantest thou gold? Go to my treasury:
Wouldst thou be loved and feared? Receive my seal,
Save or condemn, and in our name command
Whatso thy mind affects or fancy likes.
GAVESTON. It shall suffice me to enjoy your love,
Which whiles I have, I think myself as great
As Cæsar riding in the Roman street,
With captive kings at his triumphant car.
Enter The Bishop of Coventry.
EDWARD. Whither goes my lord of Coventry so fast?
COVENTRY. To celebrate your father's exequies.
But is that wicked Gaveston returned?
EDWARD. Ay, priest, and lives to be revenged on thee,
That wert the only cause of his exile.
GAVESTON. 'Tis true; and, but for reverence of these robes,
Thou shouldst not plod one foot beyond this place.
COVENTRY. I did no more than I was bound to do:
And, Gaveston, unless thou be reclaimed,
As then I did incense the parliament,
So will I now, and thou shalt back to France.
GAVESTON. Saving your reverence, you must pardon me.
EDWARD. Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole,
And in the Channel christen him anew.
KENT. Ah, brother, lay not violent hands on him,
For he'll complain unto the see of Rome.
GAVESTON. Let him complain unto the See of Hell!
I'll be revenged on him for my exile.
EDWARD. No, spare his life, but seize upon his goods:
Be thou Lord Bishop, and receive his rents,
And make him serve thee as thy chaplain.
I give him thee; here, use him as thou wilt.
GAVESTON. He shall to prison, and there die in bolts.
EDWARD. Ay, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt.
COVENTRY. For this offense be thou accursed of God!
EDWARD. Who's there? Convey this priest unto the Tower.
COVENTRY. True, true!
Exit Coventry and guards.
EDWARD. But in the meantime, Gaveston, away,
And take possession of his house and goods.
Come, follow me, and thou shalt have my guard
To see it done, and bring thee safe again.
GAVESTON. What should a priest do with so fair a house?
A prison may beseem his holiness.
Exeunt.
ACT ONE, SCENE TWO
Enter Mortimer Senior, Mortimer Junior, Warwick, and Lancaster.
WARWICK. 'Tis true, the bishop is in the Tower,
And goods and body given to Gaveston.
LANCASTER. What! Will they tyrannize upon the church?
Ah, wicked King! Accursed Gaveston!
This ground, which is corrupted with their steps,
Shall be their timeless sepulchre or mine.
MORTIMER. Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure;
Unless his breast be swordproof, he shall die.
MORTIMER SENIOR. How now! Why droops the Earl of Lancaster?
MORTIMER. Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent?
LANCASTER. That villain Gaveston is made an earl.
MORTIMER SENIOR. An earl!
WARWICK. Ay, and besides Lord Chamberlain of the realm,
And Secretary too, and Lord of Man.
MORTIMER SENIOR. We may not nor we will not suffer this.
MORTIMER. Why post we not from hence to levy men?
LANCASTER. "My lord of Cornwall" now at every word;
And happy is the man whom he vouchsafes,
For vailing of his bonnet, one good look.
Thus, arm in arm, the King and he doth march:
Nay, more, the guard upon his lordship waits,
And all the court begins to flatter him.
WARWICK. Thus leaning on the shoulder of the King,
He nods, and scorns, and smiles at those that pass.
MORTIMER SENIOR.