Go, soldiers, take him hence, for by my sword 20 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 lords!-- _War._ Soldiers, have him away;-- But for thou wert the favourite of a king, Thou shalt have so much honour at our hands[249]-- _Gav._ I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive, That heading is one, and hanging is the other, And death is all. _Enter_ Earl of ARUNDEL. _Lan._ How now, my lord of Arundel? 30 _Arun._ My lords, King Edward greets you all by me. _War._ Arundel, say your message. _Arun._ His majesty, Hearing that you had taken Gaveston, Intreateth you by me, but that 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._ Renownèd Edward, how thy name Revives poor Gaveston! _War._ No, it needeth not; 40 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 not these delays beget my hopes?[250] I know it, lords, it is this 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 50 Of Gaveston, or else his senseless trunk. _Lan._ Not so, my lords, lest he bestow more cost In burying him than he hath ever earned. _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?[251] Arundel, no; we wot. He that the care of his[252] realm remits, And drives his nobles to these exigents For Gaveston, will, if he seize[253] him once, 60 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[254] 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, base groom, robber of king's renown, Question with thy companions and mates. 70