Page:Henry VI Part 3 (1923) Yale.djvu/17

King Henry the Sixth, I. i

Clif. Urge it no more; lest that instead of words

I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger

As shall revenge his death before I stir.

War. Poor Clifford! how I scorn his worthless threats.

York. Will you we show our title to the crown?

If not, our swords shall plead it in the field.

Henry. What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown?

Thy father was, as thou art, Duke of York;

Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March;

I am the son of Henry the Fifth,

Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop,

And seiz'd upon their towns and provinces.

War. Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all.

Henry. The Lord Protector lost it, and not I:

When I was crown'd I was but nine months old.

Rich. You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose.

Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head.

Edw. Sweet father, do so; set it on your head.

Mont. [To York.] Good brother, as thou lov'st and honour'st arms,

Let's fight it out and not stand cavilling thus.

Rich. Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly.

York. Sons, peace!

Henry. Peace thou! and give King Henry leave to speak.

War. Plantagenet shall speak first: hear him, lords;

And be you silent and attentive too,

For he that interrupts him shall not live.

Henry. Think'st thou that I will leave my kingly throne,

 105 Cf. n.

106 Thy grandfather: on the mother's side

110 sith: since

113 old enough now: i.e. thirty-nine years old 