_Edw._ This usage makes my misery to increase. But can my air[320] of life continue long When all my senses are annoyed with stench? Within a dungeon England's king is kept, Where I am starved for want of sustenance. 20 My daily diet is heart-breaking sobs, That almost rent the closet of my heart; Thus lives old[321] Edward not relieved by any, And so must die, though pitièd by many. O, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst, And clear my body from foul excrements! _Mat._ Here's channel water, as your charge is given; Sit down, for we'll be barbers to your grace. _Edw._ Traitors, away! what, will you murder me, Or choke your sovereign with puddle water? 30 _Gur._ No; But wash your face, and shave away your beard, Lest you be known and so be rescued. _Mat._ Why strive you thus? your labour is in vain? _Edw._ The wren may strive against the lion's strength, But all in vain: so vainly do I strive To seek for mercy at a tyrant's hand. [_They wash him with puddle water, and shave his beard away._ Immortal powers! that knows the painful cares That waits upon my poor distressèd soul! O level all your looks upon these daring men, 40 That wrongs their liege and sovereign, England's king. O Gaveston, 'tis for thee that I am wronged, For me, both thou and both the Spencers died! And for your sakes a thousand wrongs I'll take. The Spencers' ghosts, wherever they remain, Wish well to mine; then tush, for them I'll die. _Mat._ 'Twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity. Come, come away; now put the torches out, We'll enter in by darkness to Killingworth. _Enter_ KENT. _Gur._ How now, who comes there? 50 _Mat._ Guard the king sure: it is the Earl of Kent. _Enter_ Soldiers. _Edw._ O gentle brother, help to rescue me! _Mat._ Keep them asunder; thrust in the king. _Kent._ Soldiers, let me but talk to him one word. _Gur._ Lay hands upon the earl for his assault. _Kent._ Lay down your weapons, traitors, yield the king. _Mat._ Edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die. _Kent._ Base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus! _Gur._ Bind him and so convey him to the court. _Kent._ Where is the court but here? here is the king; 60 And I will visit him; why stay you me? _Mat._ The court is where Lord Mortimer remains; Thither shall your honour go; and so farewell. [_Exeunt_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY, _with the_ KING. KENT _and the_ Soldiers _remain_. _Kent._ O miserable is that commonweal, Where lords keep courts, and kings are locked in prison? _Sol._ Wherefore stay we? on, sirs, to the court.