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The Tragedy of Edward II

Overview

Show Type
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Genders
  • Female: 1
  • Male: 2
Playing Age
Adult
Style
Dramatic
Length
Medium
Time Period
Classical
Time/Place
England, 1320s, London, palace
Act/Scene
Act One, Scene Four

Context

Text

Gav. My lord, I hear it whisper'd everywhere,

That I am banish'd and must fly the land.

K. Edw. 'Tis true, sweet Gaveston: O were it false!

The legate of the Pope will have it so,

And thou must hence, or I shall be depos'd.

But I will reign to be reveng'd of them;

And therefore, sweet friend, take it patiently.

Live where thou wilt, I'll send thee gold enough;

And long thou shalt not stay; or, if thou dost,

I'll come to thee; my love shall ne'er decline.

Gav. Is all my hope turn'd to this hell of grief?

K. Edw. Rend not my heart with thy too-piercing words:

Thou from this land, I from myself am banish'd.

Gav. To go from hence grieves not poor Gaveston;

But to forsake you, in whose gracious looks

The blessedness of Gaveston remains;

For nowhere else seeks he felicity.

K. Edw. And only this torments my wretched soul,

That, whether I will or no, thou must depart.

Be governor of Ireland in my stead,

And there abide till fortune call thee home.

Here, take my picture, and let me wear thine:

                                           _[They exchange pictures._

O, might I keep thee here, as I do this,

Happy were I! but now most miserable.

Gav. 'Tis something to be pitied of a king.

K. Edw. Thou shalt not hence; I'll hide thee, Gaveston.

Gav. I shall be found, and then 'twill grieve me more.

K. Edw. Kind words and mutual talk makes our grief greater:

Therefore, with dumb embracement, let us part,

Stay, Gaveston; I cannot leave thee thus.

Gav. For every look, my love drops down a tear:

Seeing I must go, do not renew my sorrow.

K. Edw. The time is little that thou hast to stay,

And, therefore, give me leave to look my fill.

But, come, sweet friend; I'll bear thee on thy way.

Gav. The peers will frown.

K. Edw. I pass not for their anger. Come, let's go:

O, that we might as well return as go!

Enter QUEEN ISABELLA.

Q. Isab. Whither goes my lord?

K. Edw. Fawn not on me, French strumpet; get thee gone!

Q. Isab. On whom but on my husband should I fawn?

Gav. On Mortimer; with whom, ungentle queen,—

I judge no more—judge you the rest, my lord.

Q. Isab. In saying this, thou wrong'st me, Gaveston:

Is't not enough that thou corrupt'st my lord,

And art a bawd to his affections,

But thou must call mine honour thus in question?

Gav. I mean not so; your grace must pardon me.

K. Edw. Thou art too familiar with that Mortimer,

And by thy means is Gaveston exil'd:

But I would wish thee reconcile the lords,

Or thou shalt ne'er be reconcil'd to me.

Q. Isab. Your highness knows, it lies not in my power.

K. Edw. Away, then! touch me not.—Come, Gaveston.

Q. Isab. Villain, 'tis thou that robb'st me of my lord.

Gav. Madam, 'tis you that rob me of my lord.

K. Edw. Speak not unto her: let her droop and pine.

Q. Isab. Wherein, my lord, have I deserv'd these words?

Witness the tears that Isabella sheds,

Witness this heart, that, sighing for thee, breaks,

How dear my lord is to poor Isabel!

K. Edw. And witness heaven how dear thou art to me:

There weep; for, till my Gaveston be repeal'd,

Assure thyself thou com'st not in my sight.

                                  _[Exeunt King Edward and Gaveston._

Christopher Marlowe, Edward II. http://elizabethandrama.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Edward-II-Annotated.pdf

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