Scene + 

II + 

Westminster. + 

Enter on the one side the two Mortimers; on the other, Warwick and Lancaster. + 

Warwick + 

’Tis true, the bishop is in the Tower, + 

And goods and body given to Gaveston. + 

Lancaster + 

What! will they tyrannise upon the church? + 

Ah, wicked King! accursed Gaveston! + 

This ground, which is corrupted with their steps, + 

Shall be their timeless sepulchre or mine. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure; + 

Unless his breast be sword-proof, he shall die. + 

Elder Mortimer + 

How now! why droops the Earl of Lancaster? + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent? + 

Lancaster + 

That villain Gaveston is made an earl. + 

Elder Mortimer + 

An earl! + 

Warwick + 

Ay, and besides Lord-chamberlain of the realm, + 

And Secretary too, and Lord of Man. + 

Elder Mortimer + 

We may not nor we will not suffer this. + 

Younger 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. + 

Elder Mortimer + 

Doth no man take exceptions at the slave? + 

Lancaster + 

All stomach him, but none dare speak a word. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Ah, that bewrays their baseness, Lancaster! + 

Were all the earls and barons of my mind, + 

We’d hale him from the bosom of the king, + 

And at the court-gate hang the peasant up, + 

Who, swollen with venom of ambitious pride, + 

Will be the ruin of the realm and us. + 

Warwick + 

Here comes my Lord of Canterbury’s grace. + 

Lancaster + 

His countenance bewrays he is displeased. + 

Enter the Archbishop of Canterbury and an Attendant. + 

Archbishop of Canterbury + 

First, were his sacred garments rent and torn; + 

Then laid they violent hands upon him; next, + 

Himself imprisoned, and his goods asseized: + 

This certify the Pope: away, take horse. Exit Attendant. + 

Lancaster + 

My lord, will you take arms against the king? + 

Archbishop of Canterbury + 

What need I? God himself is up in arms + 

When violence is offered to the church. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Then will you join with us, that be his peers, + 

To banish or behead that Gaveston? + 

Archbishop of Canterbury + 

What else, my lords? for it concerns me near; + 

The bishoprick of Coventry is his. + 

Enter Queen Isabella. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast? + 

Queen Isabella + 

Unto the forest, gentle Mortimer, + 

To live in grief and baleful discontent; + 

For now my lord the king regards me not, + 

But dotes upon the love of Gaveston: + 

He claps his cheeks, and hangs about his neck, + 

Smiles in his face, and whispers in his ears; + 

And, when I come, he frowns, as who should say, + 

“Go whither thou wilt, seeing I have Gaveston.” + 

Elder Mortimer + 

Is it not strange that he is thus bewitched? + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Madam, return unto the court again: + 

That sly inveigling Frenchman we’ll exile, + 

Or lose our lives; and yet, ere that day come, + 

The king shall lose his crown; for we have power, + 

And courage too, to be revenged at full. + 

Archbishop of Canterbury + 

But yet lift not your swords against the king. + 

Lancaster + 

No; but we will lift Gaveston from hence. + 

Warwick + 

And war must be the means, or he’ll stay still. + 

Queen Isabella + 

Then let him stay; for, rather than my lord + 

Shall be oppressed with civil mutinies, + 

I will endure a melancholy life, + 

And let him frolic with his minion. + 

Archbishop of Canterbury + 

My lords, to ease all this, but hear me speak: + 

We and the rest, that are his counsellors, + 

Will meet, and with a general consent + 

Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals. + 

Lancaster + 

What we confirm the king will frustrate. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Then may we lawfully revolt from him. + 

Warwick + 

But say, my lord, where shall this meeting be? + 

Archbishop of Canterbury + 

At the New Temple. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Content. + 

Archbishop of Canterbury + 

And, in the meantime, I’ll entreat you all + 

To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me. + 

Lancaster + 

Come, then, let’s away. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Madam, farewell. + 

Queen Isabella + 

Farewell, sweet Mortimer, and, for my sake, + 

Forbear to levy arms against the king. + 

Younger Mortimer + 

Ay, if words will serve; if not, I must. + 

Exeunt. + 