_Enter_ Herald _with his coat of arms._ _Her._ Long live King Edward, England's lawful lord! _K. Edw._ So wish not they, I wis, that sent thee hither: Thou com'st from Mortimer and his complices: A ranker rout of rebels never was. Well, say thy message. _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, That from your princely person you remove This Spenser, as a putrifying branch That deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves 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, Are to your highness vow'd and consecrate. _Y. Spen._ Ah, traitors, will they still display their pride? _K. 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 young Spenser._ Spenser from thee. 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. [_Exit Herald._ My lord[s], 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 sounded, within._ _Re-enter_ KING EDWARD, _the elder_ SPENSER, _the younger_ SPENSER, BALDOCK, _and_ Noblemen _of the king's side._ _K. Edw._ Why do we sound retreat? upon them, lords! This day I shall your 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. _E. Spen._ 'Tis not amiss, my liege, for either part To breathe a while; our men, with sweat and dust All chok'd well near, begin to faint for heat; And this retire refresheth horse and man. _Y. Spen._ Here come the rebels. _Enter the younger_ MORTIMER, LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, _and others._