Enter [214] Young Spencer and Baldock.
Bald. Spencer, Seeing that our lord the Earl of Gloucester's dead, Which of the nobles dost thou mean to serve?
Y. Spen. Not Mortimer, nor any of his side; Because the king and he are enemies. Baldock, learn this of me, a factious lord Shall hardly do himself good, much less us; But he that hath the favour of a king, May with one word advance us while we live: The liberal Earl of Cornwall is the man10 On whose good fortune Spencer's hope depends.
Bald. What, mean you then to be his follower?
Y. Spen. No, his companion; for he loves me well, And would have once preferred me to the king.
Bald. But he is banished; there's small hope of him.
Y. Spen. I, for a while; but, Baldock, mark the end. A friend of mine told me in secresy That he's repealed, and sent for back again; And even now a post came from the court With letters to our lady from the king;20 And as she read she smiled, which makes me think It is about her lover Gaveston.
Bald. 'Tis like enough; for since he was exiled She neither walks abroad, nor comes in sight. But I had thought the match had been broke off, And that his banishment had changed her mind.
Y. Spen. Our lady's first love is not wavering; My life for thine she will have Gaveston.
Bald. Then hope I by her means to be preferred, Having read unto her since she was a child.30