Let me alone; here is the privy seal.
Who's there? call hither Gurney and Matrevis.
To dash the heavy-headed Edmund's drift,
Berkeley shall be discharged, the King removed,
And none but we shall know where he lieth.
ISABELLA. But, Mortimer, as long as he survives,
What safety rests for us or for my son?
MORTIMER. Speak, shall he presently be dispatched and die?
ISABELLA. I would he were, so it were not by my means.
Enter Matrevis and Gurney.
MORTIMER. Enough! Matrevis, write a letter presently
Unto the lord of Berkeley from ourself
That he resign the King to thee and Gurney;
And when 'tis done, we will subscribe our name.
MATREVIS. It shall be done, my lord.
MORTIMER. Gurney.
GURNEY. My lord.
MORTIMER. As thou intend'st to rise by Mortimer,
Who now makes Fortune's wheel turn as he please,
Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop,
And neither give him kind word nor good look.
GURNEY. I warrant you, my lord.
MORTIMER. And this above the rest: because we hear
That Edmund casts to work his liberty,
Remove him still from place to place by night,
Till at the last he come to Killingworth,
And then from thence to Berkeley back again.
And by the way, to make him fret the more,
Speak curs'dly to him; and in any case
Let no man comfort him. If he chance to weep,
But amplify his grief with bitter words.
MATREVIS. Fear not, my lord; we'll do as you command.
MORTIMER. So, now away! Post thitherwards amain.
ISABELLA. Whither goes this letter? To my lord the King?
Commend me humbly to his majesty,
And tell him that I labour all in vain
To ease his grief and work his liberty;
And bear him this as witness of my love.
MATREVIS. I will, madam.
Exeunt Matrevis and Gurney.
Enter Prince Edward, and the Earl of Kent talking with him.
MORTIMER. Finely dissembled! Do so still, sweet Queen.
Here comes the young prince with the Earl of Kent.
ISABELLA. Something he whispers in his childish ears.
MORTIMER. If he have such access unto the prince,
Our plots and stratagems will soon be dashed.
ISABELLA. Use Edmund friendly as if all were well.
MORTIMER. How fares my honourable Lord of Kent?
KENT. In health, sweet Mortimer. How fares your grace?
ISABELLA. Well, if my lord your brother were enlarged.
KENT. I hear of late he hath deposed himself.
ISABELLA. The more my grief.
MORTIMER. And mine.
KENT. Ah, they do dissemble!
ISABELLA. Sweet son, come hither; I must talk with thee.
MORTIMER. Thou, being his uncle and the next of blood,
Do look to be Protector over the prince?
KENT. Not I, my lord. Who should protect the son,
But she that gave him life - I mean the Queen.
PRINCE EDWARD. Mother, persuade me not to wear the crown.
Let him be king; I am too young to reign.
ISABELLA. But be content, seeing it is his highness' pleasure.
PRINCE EDWARD. Let me but see him first, and then I will.
KENT. Ay, do, sweet nephew.
ISABELLA. Brother, you know it is impossible.
PRINCE EDWARD. Why, is he dead?
ISABELLA. No, God forbid!
KENT. I would those words proceeded from your heart!
MORTIMER. Inconstant Edmund, dost thou favour him,
That wast a cause of his imprisonment?
KENT. The more cause have I now to make amends.
MORTIMER. I tell thee, 'tis not meet that one so false
Should come about the person of a prince.
My lord, he hath betrayed the King his brother,
And therefore trust him not.
PRINCE EDWARD. But he repents and sorrows for it now.
ISABELLA. Come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me.
PRINCE EDWARD. With you I will, but not with Mortimer.
MORTIMER. Why, youngling, 'sdain'st thou so of Mortimer?
Then I will carry thee by force away.
PRINCE EDWARD. Help, uncle Kent; Mortimer will wrong me.
ISABELLA.