King Edward is not here to buckler thee.
_War._ Lancaster, why talk'st thou to the slave?--
Go, soldiers, take him hence; for, by my sword,
His head shall off.--Gaveston, short warning
Shall serve thy turn: it is our country's cause
That here severely we will execute
Upon thy person.--Hang him at a bough.
_Gav._ My lord,--
_War._ Soldiers, have him away.--
But, for thou wert the favourite of a king,
Thou shalt have so much honour at our hands.
_Gav._ I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive
That heading is one, and hanging is the other,
And death is all.

_Enter_ ARUNDEL.

_Lan._ How now, my Lord of Arundel!
_Arun._ My lords, King Edward greets you all by me.
_War._ Arundel, say your message.
_Arun._ His majesty, hearing that you had taken Gaveston,
Entreateth you by me, yet but he may
See him before he dies; for why, he says,
And sends you word, he knows that die he shall;
And, if you gratify his grace so far,
He will be mindful of the courtesy.
_War._ How now!
_Gav._ Renowmed Edward, how thy name
Revives poor Gaveston!
_War._ No, it needeth not:
Arundel, we will gratify the king
In other matters; he must pardon us in this.--
Soldiers, away with him!
_Gav._ Why, my Lord of Warwick,
Will now these short delays beget my hopes?
I know it, lords, it is life you aim at,
Yet grant King Edward this.
_Y. Mor._ Shalt thou appoint
What we shall grant?--Soldiers, away with him!--
Thus we'll gratify the king;
We'll send his head by thee; let him bestow
His tears on that, for that is all he gets
Of Gaveston, or else his senseless trunk.
_Lan._ Not so, my lord, lest he bestow more cost
In burying him than he hath ever earn'd.
_Arun._ My lords, it is his majesty's request,
And in the honour of a king he swears,
He will but talk with him, and send him back.
_War._ When, can you tell? Arundel, no; we wot
He that the care of his realm remits,
And drives his nobles to these exigents
For Gaveston, will, if he seize him once,
Violate any promise to possess him.
_Arun._ Then, if you will not trust his grace in keep,
My lords, I will be pledge for his return.
_Y. Mor._ 'Tis honourable in thee to offer this;
But, for we know thou art a noble gentleman,
We will not wrong thee so,
To make away a true man for a thief.
_Gav._ How mean'st thou, Mortimer? that is over-base.
_Y. Mor._ Away, ba