Her. The barons up in arms, by me salute Your highness with long life and happiness; And bid me say, as plainer to your grace, That if without effusion of blood You will this grief have ease and remedy,160 That from your princely person you remove This Spencer, as a putrefying branch, That deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves [267] Empale your princely head, your diadem, Whose brightness such pernicious upstarts dim, Say they; and lovingly advise your grace, To cherish virtue and nobility, And have old servitors in high esteem, And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers: This granted, they, their honours, and their lives,170 Are to your highness vowed and consecrate.
Y. Spen. Ah, traitors! will they still display their pride?
Edw. Away, tarry no answer, but be gone! Rebels, will they appoint their sovereign His sports, his pleasures, and his company? Yet, ere thou go, see how I do divorce [Embraces Spencer. Spencer from me.—Now get thee to thy lords, And tell them I will come to chastise them For murdering Gaveston; hie thee, get thee gone! Edward with fire and sword follows at thy heels.180 My lord, perceive you how these rebels swell? Soldiers, good hearts, defend your sovereign's right, For now, even now, we march to make them stoop. Away! [Exeunt. Alarums, excursions, a great fight, and a retreat.
SCENE III.
Enter the King, Old Spencer, Young Spencer, and the Noblemen of the King's side.
Edw. Why do we sound retreat? upon them, lords! This day I shall pour vengeance with my sword On those proud rebels that are up in arms, And do confront and countermand their king.
Y. Spen. I doubt it not, my lord, right will prevail.
O. Spen. 'Tis not amiss, my liege, for either part To breathe awhile; our men, with sweat and dust All choked well near, begin to faint for heat; And this retire refresheth horse and man.
Y. Spen. Here come the rebels.10
Enter Young Mortimer, Lancaster, Warwick, Pembroke, &c.