William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

ACT I 2. SCENE II. Sandal Castle

[Enter EDWARD, RICHARD, and MONTAGUE.]

RICHARD.
Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave.

EDWARD.
No; I can better play the orator.

MONTAGUE.
But I have reasons strong and forcible.

[Enter YORK.]

YORK.
Why, how now, sons and brother! at a strife?
What is your quarrel? how began it first?

EDWARD.
No quarrel, but a slight contention.

YORK.
About what?

RICHARD.
About that which concerns your grace and us--
The crown of England, father, which is yours.

YORK.
Mine, boy? not till King Henry be dead.

RICHARD.
Your right depends not on his life or death.

EDWARD.
Now you are heir, therefore enjoy it now;
By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe,
It will outrun you, father, in the end.

YORK.
I took an oath that he should quietly reign.

EDWARD.
But for a kingdom any oath may be broken;
I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year.

RICHARD.
No; God forbid your grace should be forsworn.

YORK.
I shall be, if I claim by open war.

RICHARD.
I'll prove the contrary if you'll hear me speak.

YORK.
Thou canst not, son; it is impossible.

RICHARD.
An oath is of no moment, being not took
Before a true and lawful magistrate
That hath authority over him that swears.
Henry had none, but did usurp the place;
Then, seeing 't was he that made you to depose,
Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous.
Therefore, to arms! And, father, do but think
How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown,
Within whose circuit is Elysium
And all that poets feign of bliss and joy.
Why do we linger thus? I cannot rest
Until the white rose that I wear be dyed
Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart.