The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume II Part 47

_Enter_[325] _the_ YOUNG KING, ARCHBISHOP,[326] CHAMPION, n.o.bles, QUEEN.

_Archbishop._ Long live King Edward, by the grace of G.o.d, King of England, and Lord of Ireland!

_Cham._ If any Christian, Heathen, Turk, or Jew, Dare but affirm that Edward's not true king, And will avouch his saying with the sword, I am the champion that will combat with him.

_Y. Mor._ None comes, sound trumpets.

_King._ Champion, here's to thee. [_Gives a purse._

_Queen._ Lord Mortimer, now take him to your charge. 80

_Enter_ Soldiers, _with the_ EARL OF KENT _prisoner_.

_Y. Mor._ What traitor have we there with blades and bills?

_Sol._ Edmund, the Earl of Kent.

_King._ What hath he done?

_Sol._ 'A would have taken the king away perforce, As we were bringing him to Killingworth.

_Y. Mor._ Did you attempt his rescue, Edmund? speak.

_Kent._ Mortimer, I did; he is our king, And thou compell'st this prince to wear the crown.

_Y. Mor._ Strike off his head, he shall have martial law.

_Kent._ Strike off my head! base traitor, I defy thee.

_King._ My lord, he is my uncle, and shall live. 90

_Y. Mor._ My lord, he is your enemy, and shall die.

_Kent._ Stay, villains!

_King._ Sweet mother, if I cannot pardon him, Entreat my Lord Protector for his life.

_Queen._ Son, be content; I dare not speak a word.

_King._ Nor I, and yet methinks I should command; But, seeing I cannot, I'll entreat for him,-- My lord, if you will let my uncle live, I will requite it when I come to age.

_Y. Mor._ Tis for your highness' good, and for the realm's.-- 100 How often shall I bid you bear him hence?

_Kent._ Art thou king? must I die at thy command?

_Y. Mor._ At our command! once more away with him.

_Kent._ Let me but stay and speak; I will not go.

Either my brother or my son is king, And none of both them thirst for Edmund's blood.

And therefore, soldiers, whither will you hale me?

[_They hale_ KENT _away, and carry him to be beheaded_.

_King._ What safety may I look for at his hands, If that my uncle shall be murdered thus?

_Queen._ Fear not, sweet boy, I'll guard thee from thy foes; 110 Had Edmund lived, he would have sought thy death.

Come, son, we'll ride a hunting in the park.

_King._ And shall my uncle Edmund ride with us?

_Queen._ He is a traitor; think not on him; come.

[_Exeunt omnes._

SCENE V.

_Enter_[327] MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY.

_Mat._ Gurney, I wonder the king dies not, Being in a vault up to the knees in water, To which the channels of the castle run, From whence a damp continually ariseth, That were enough to poison any man, Much more a king brought up so tenderly.

_Gur._ And so do I, Matrevis: yesternight I opened but the door to throw him meat, And I was almost stifled with the savour.

_Mat._ He hath a body able to endure 10 More than we can inflict: and therefore now Let us a.s.sail his mind another while.

_Gur._ Send for him out thence, and I will anger him.

_Mat._ But stay, who's this?

_Enter_ LIGHTBORN.

_Light._ My Lord Protector greets you.

_Gur._ What's here? I know not how to construe it.

_Mat._ Gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce; _Edwardum occidere nolite timere,_ That's his meaning.

_Light._ Know ye this token? I must have the king.

_Mat._ I, stay awhile, thou shalt have answer straight. 20 This villain's sent to make away the king. [_Aside._

_Gur._ I thought as much. [_Aside._

_Mat._ And when the murder's done, See how he must be handled for his labour.

_Pereat iste!_ Let him have the king. [_Aside._ What else? here is the keys, this is the lake,[328]

Do as you are commanded by my lord.

_Light._ I know what I must do; get you away.

Yet be not far off, I shall need your help; See that in the next room I have a fire, And get me a spit, and let it be red-hot. 30

_Mat._ Very well.