Rejected from the ranks of war, When strove the Bruce for Scotland's right; "To us, as to our lords, are given The vengeance for our nation's wrongs; Already scattered o'er the plain, Or made but doubtful stay : But when they marked the seeming show O give their hapless prince his due! His person 'mid the spears, Cried "Fight!" to terror and despair, Menaced, and wept, and tore his hair, But quitted there the train: 'Speed hence, my Liege, for on your trace I know his banner well. God send my Sovereign joy and bliss, KING EDWARD THE SECOND CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE THE deposition of the second Edward was due to his foolish fondness for favorites. The first of these, Piers Gaveston, a French adventurer, had been banished by Edward I. Immediately on his accession to the throne, Edward II. recalled his "Brother Peter" and lavished estates and great offices upon him. The haughty and insolent ways of Gaveston rendered him hateful to the English lords, and they sought to drive him from the kingdom. Failing in this, they put him to death. The king consoled himself with a new favorite, Hugh Despenser, English born, but quite as unpopular as the Frenchman. The exasperated barons rose in revolt against their unworthy sovereign. They found an ally in Queen Isabel who, neglected by her husband, schemed to place her son upon the throne. Edward and Despenser were taken prisoners, the favorite was put to death, the king deposed (1327), and the young prince proclaimed as Edward III. The fate of Edward II. is uncertain, but it seems most probable that he was secretly and brutally murdered by order of Mortimer. ACT I SCENE I. A Street in London. reading a letter. Enter Gaveston, Gav. "My father is deceas'd! Come, Gaveston, And share the kingdom with thy dearest friend." Ah! words that make me surfeit with delight! What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston Than live and be the favourite of a king! Sweet prince, I come! these, these thy amorous lines So thou wouldst smile, and take me in thine arms. That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away. * (Enter King Edward, Lancaster, the Elder Mortimer, Young Mortimer, Kent, Warwick, and Attendants.) K. Edw. Lancaster! Lan. My Lord. Gav. That Earl of Lancaster do I abhor. (Aside.) K. Edw. Will you not grant me this? In spite of them I'll have my will; and these two Mortimers, (Aside.) E. Mor. If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston. Gav. That villain Mortimer! I'll be his death. (Aside.) Y. Mor. Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself, Were sworn to your father at his death, That he should ne'er return into the realm: And know, my lord, ere I will break my oath, This sword of mine, that should offend your foes, Gav. Mort Dieu! (Aside.) K. Edw. Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee rue these words. Beseems it thee to contradict thy king? Frown'st thou thereat, aspiring Lancaster? The sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows, Gav. Well done, Ned! (Aside.) Lan. My lord, why do you thus incense your peers, That naturally would love and honour you Kent. Barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute; But now I'll speak, and to the proof, I hope. I do remember, in my father's days, Lord Percy of the north, being highly moved, Yet dare you brave the king unto his face. K. Edw. Ay, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant War. Bridle thy anger, gentle Mortimer. Y. Mor. I cannot, nor I will not; I must speak. Cousin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads, And strike off his that makes you threaten us. |