_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.