Pem. Fear not, the queen's words cannot alter him.
War. No, do but mark how earnestly she pleads.
Lan. And see how coldly his looks make denial.
War. She smiles; now for my life his mind is changed.
Lan. I'll rather lose his friendship, I, than grant.
Y. Mor. Well, of necessity it must be so. My lords, that I abhor base Gaveston, I hope your honours take no question,240 And therefore, though I plead for his repeal, 'Tis not for his sake, but for our avail! Nay for the realm's behoof, and for the king's.
Lan. Fie, Mortimer, dishonour not thyself! Can this be true, 'twas good to banish him? And is this true, to call him home again? Such reasons make white black, and dark night day.
Y. Mor. My lord of Lancaster, mark the respect. [206]
Lan. In no respect can contraries be true.
Queen. Yet, good my lord, here what he can allege.250