_O. Spen._ Lo, with a band of bowmen and of pikes, Brown bills and targeteers, four hundred strong, Sworn to defend King Edward's royal right, I come in person to your majesty, Spencer, the father of Hugh Spencer there, 40 Bound to your highness everlastingly, For favour done, in him, unto us all. _Edw._ Thy father, Spencer? _Y. Spen._ True, an it like your grace, That pours, in lieu of all your goodness shown, His life, my lord, before your princely feet. _Edw._ Welcome ten thousand times, old man, again. Spencer, this love, this kindness to thy king, Argues thy noble mind and disposition. Spencer, I here create thee Earl of Wiltshire, And daily will enrich thee with our favour, 50 That, as the sunshine, shall reflect o'er thee. Beside, the more to manifest our love, Because we hear Lord Bruce doth sell his land, And that the Mortimers are in hand withal, Thou shalt have crowns of us t'outbid the barons And, Spencer, spare them not, lay it on. Soldiers, a largess, and thrice welcome all! _Y. Spen._ My lord, here comes[263] the queen. _Enter the_ QUEEN _and her_ Son, _and_ LEVUNE, _a Frenchman._ _Edw._ Madam, what news? _Queen._ News of dishonour, lord, and discontent. Our friend Levune, faithful and full of trust, 60 Informeth us, by letters and by words, That Lord Valois our brother, King of France, Because your highness hath been slack in homage, Hath seizèd Normandy into his hands. These be the letters, this the messenger. _Edw._ Welcome, Levune. Tush, Sib, if this be all, Valois and I will soon be friends again.-- But to my Gaveston; shall I never see, Never behold thee now?[264]--Madam, in this matter, We will employ you and your little son; 70 You shall go parley with the King of France. Boy, see you bear you bravely to the king. And do your message with a majesty. _Prince._ Commit not to my youth things of more weight Than fits a prince so young as I to bear, And fear not, lord and father, heaven's great beams On Atlas' shoulder shall not lie more safe, Than shall your charge committed to my trust. _Queen._ Ah, boy! this towardness makes thy mother fear Thou art not marked to many days on earth. 80 _Edw._ Madam, we will that you with speed be shipped, And this our son; Levune shall follow you With all the haste we can despatch him hence. Chuse of our lords to bear you company; And go in peace, leave us in wars at home. _Queen._ Unnatural wars, where subjects brave their king; God end them once! My lord, I take my leave, To make my preparation for France. [_Exit with_ Prince. _Enter_ ARUNDEL.