Do what they can, we'll live in Tynemouth here, And, so I walk with him about the walls,

What care I though the earls begirt us round ?Here cometh she that's cause of all these jars.

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA with KING EDWARD'S NIECE, TWO LADIES, GAVESTON, BALDOCK and YOUNG SPENCER.

Q. ISAB. My lord, 'tis thought the earls are up

in arms.

K. EDW. Ay, and 'tis likewise thought you

favour 'em.

Q. ISAB. Thus do you still suspect me without cause ?

NIECE. Sweet uncle! speak more kindly to the

queen.

GAV. My lord, dissemble with her, speak her fair.

K. EDW. Cousin, this day shall be your marriage-feast.

And, Gaveston, think that I love thee well,

To wed thee to our niece, the only heir
Unto the Earl of Gloucester late deceased.

GAV. I know, my Lord, many will stomach me, But I respect neither their love nor hate.

K. EDW. The headstrong barons shall not limit

me;

He that I list to favour shall be great.

Come, let's away; and when the marriage ends, Have at the rebels, and their complices!

The Battlefield, Boroughbridge.

Enter KING EDWARD and his FOLLOWERS, with the BARONS and KENT, captives.

K. Edw. Now, lusty lords, now, not by chance

of war,

But justice of the quarrel and the cause,

Vailed is your pride; methinks you hang the heads,

But we'll advance them, traitors; now 'tis time
To be avenged on you for all your braves,
And for the murder of my dearest friend,
To whom right well you knew our soul was knit,
Good Pierce of Gaveston, my sweet favourite.
Ah, rebels! recreants! you made him away.
KENT. Brother, in regard of thee, and of thy
land,

our presence!

Did they remove that flatterer from thy throne.
K. EDW. So, sir, you have spoke; away, avoid
[Exit Kent.
Accursed wretches, was't in regard of us,
When we had sent our messenger to request
He might be spared to come to speak with us,
And Pembroke undertook for his return,
That thou, proud Warwick, watched the prisoner,
Poor Pierce, and headed him 'gainst law of arms?
For which thy head shall overlook the rest,

As much as thou in rage outwent'st the rest.

WAR. Tyrant, I scorn thy threats and men

aces;

It is but temporal that thou canst inflict.

LAN. The worst is death, and better die to live Than live in infamy under such a king.

K. EDW. Away with them, my lord of Winchester !

These lusty leaders, Warwick and Lancaster,
I charge you roundly-off with both their heads!
Away!

WAR. Farewell, vain world.

LAN.

Sweet Mortimer, farewell. Y. MOR. England, unkind to thy nobility, Groan for this grief, behold how thou art maimed ! K. Edw. Go, take that haughty Mortimer to

the Tower,

There see him safe bestowed; and for the rest,

Do speedy execution on them all.
Begone!

Y. MOR. What, Mortimer!

walls

can ragged stony

Immure thy virtue that aspires to heaven?
No, Edward, England's scourge, it may not be ;
Mortimer's hope surmounts his fortune far.

[The captive Barons are led off. K. EDW. Sound drums and trumpets! March with me, my friends,

Edward this day hath crowned him king anew.

Near Bristol.

Enter KING EDWARD, BALDOCK, and YOUNG SPENCER.

Y. SPEN. Fly, fly, my lord! the queen is overstrong;

Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail.

Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe. K. EDW. What! was I born to fly and run

away,

And leave the Mortimers conquerors behind?
Give me my horse, and let's reinforce our troops :
And in this bed of honour die with fame.

BALD. O no, my lord, this princely resolution Fits not the time; away! we are pursued [Exeunt.

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, PRINCE EDWARD, YOUNG MORTIMER, and SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT.

Q. ISAB. Successful battle gives the God of kings

To them that fight in right and fear his wrath.
Since then successfully we have prevailed,
Thanked be heaven's great architect, and you.
Ere farther we proceed, my noble lords,
We here create our well-beloved son,
Of love and care unto his royal person,

Lord Warden of the realm, and sith the fates

Have made his father so unfortunate,

Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords,
As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all.

Kenilworth Castle.

Enter KING EDWARD, LEICESTER, the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, and TRUSSEL.

LEICES. Be patient, good my lord, cease to lament,

Imagine Killingworth Castle were your court,
And that you lay for pleasure here a space,
Not of compulsion or necessity.

K. EDW. Leicester, if gentle words might comfort me,

Thy speeches long ago had eased my sorrows;
For kind and loving hast thou always been.
The griefs of private men are soon allayed,
But not of kings.

Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too;

Now, sweet God of heaven,

Make me despise this transitory pomp,
And sit for aye enthronized in heaven!

Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes,
Or if I live, let me forget myself.

Berkeley Castle.

K. EDW. Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou ?

LIGHTBORN. To comfort you, and bring you joyful news.

K. EDW. Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks.

Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me.

LIGHT. To murder you, my most gracious lord!

LIGHT. You're overwatched, my lord; lie down and rest.

K. EDW. But that grief keeps me waking, I should sleep;

For not these ten days have these eyes' lids closed.
Now as I speak they fall, and yet with fear
Open again. O wherefore sitt'st thou here?

LIGHT. If you mistrust me, I'll begone, my lord.

K. EDW. No, no, for if thou mean'st to murder me,

Thou wilt return again, and therefore stay.

LIGHT. He sleeps.

[Sleeps.

K. EDW. [waking]. O let me not die yet: stay, O stay a while!

LIGHT. How now, my lord?

K. EDW. Something still buzzeth in mine ears, And tells me if I sleep I never wake;

This fear is that which makes me tremble thus ; And therefore tell me, wherefore art thou come ? LIGHT. To rid thee of thy life.-Matrevis, come !

Enter MATREVIS and GURNEY.

K. EDW. I am too weak and feeble to resist : Assist me, sweet God, and receive my soul !

BRUCE TO HIS ARMY AT BANNOCKBURN (1314)

BY ROBERT BURNS

Scots! wha ha'e wi' Wallace bled,

Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,

Welcome to your gory bed,

Or to glorious victory!