SCENE IV.

_Enter_[242] _the_ KING _and_ YOUNG SPENCER.

_Edw._ O tell me, Spencer, where is Gaveston?

_Spen._ I fear me, he is slain, my gracious lord.

_Edw._ No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill.

_Enter_ QUEEN, King's Niece, GAVESTON, _and_ Nobles.

Fly, fly, my lords, the earls have got the hold; Take shipping and away to Scarborough; Spencer and I will post away by land.

_Gav._ O stay, my lord, they will not injure you.

_Edw._ I will not trust them; Gaveston, away!

_Gav._ Farewell, my lord.

_Edw._ Lady, farewell.

_Lady._ Farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again. 10

_Edw._ Farewell, sweet Gaveston; and farewell, niece.

_Queen._ No farewell to poor Isabel thy queen?

_Edw._ Yes, yes, for Mortimer, your lover's sake. [_Exeunt all but_ ISABEL.

_Queen._ Heaven can witness I love none but you: From my embracements thus he breaks away. O that mine arms could close this isle about, That I might pull him to me where I would! Or that these tears, that drizzle from mine eyes, Had power to mollify his stony heart, That when I had him we might never part. 20

_Enter the_ Barons. _Alarums._

_Lan._ I wonder how he scaped!

_Y. Mor._ Who's this, the queen?

_Queen._ I, Mortimer, the miserable queen, Whose pining heart her inward sighs have blasted, And body with continual mourning wasted: These hands are tired with haling of my lord From Gaveston, from wicked Gaveston, And all in vain; for, when I speak him fair, He turns away, and smiles upon his minion.

_Y. Mor._ Cease to lament, and tell us where's the king?

_Queen._ What would you with the king? is't him you seek? 30

_Lan._ No, madam, but that cursèd Gaveston. Far be it from the thought of Lancaster To offer violence to his sovereign. We would but rid the realm of Gaveston: Tell us where he remains, and he shall die.

_Queen._ He's gone by water unto Scarborough; Pursue him quickly, and he cannot scape; The king hath left him, and his train is small.

_War._ Foreslow[243] no time, sweet Lancaster, let's march.

_Y. Mor._ How comes it that the king and he is parted? 40

_Queen._ That thus[244] your army, going several ways, Might be of lesser force: and with the power That he intendeth presently to raise, Be easily suppressed; therefore[245] be gone.

_Y. Mor._ Here in the river rides a Flemish hoy; Let's all aboard, and follow him amain.

_Lan._ The wind that bears him hence will fill our sails: Come, come aboard, 'tis but an hour's sailing.

_Y. Mor._ Madam, stay you within this castle here.

_Queen._ No, Mortimer, I'll to my lord the king. 50

_Y. Mor._ Nay, rather sail with us to Scarborough.

_Queen._ You know the king is so suspicious, As if he hear I have but talked with you, Mine honour will be called in question; And therefore, gentle Mortimer, be gone.

_Y. Mor._ Madam, I cannot stay to answer you, But think of Mortimer as he deserves. [_Exeunt_ Barons.

_Queen._ So well hast thou deserved, sweet Mortimer, As Isabel could live with thee for ever. In vain I look for love at Edward's hand, 60 Whose eyes are fixed on none but Gaveston: Yet once more I'll importune him with prayer, If he be strange and not regard my words, My son and I will over into France, And to the king my brother there complain, How Gaveston hath robbed me of his love: But yet I hope my sorrows will have end, And Gaveston this blessèd day be slain. [_Exit._