&mlquo;Rich.
&mlquo;Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave.

Edw.
No, I can better play the orator.

Mont.
But I have reasons strong and forcible. Enter York.

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;Why, how now, sons and brother^{7 note}

&mlquo;What is your quarrel? how began it first?

&mlquo;Edw.
&mlquo;No quarrel, but a slight contention^{8 note}

York.
About what?

&mlquo;Rich.
&mlquo;About that which concerns your grace, and us;
&mlquo;The crown of England, father, which is yours.

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;Mine, boy? not till king Henry be dead.

&mast;Rich.
&mast;Your right depends not on his life, or death.

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

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;I took an oath, that he should quietly reign.

&mlquo;Edw.
&mlquo;But, for a kingdom, any oath may be broken:
&mlquo;I'd break a thousand oaths, to reign one year.

&mlquo;Rich.
&mlquo;No; God forbid, your grace should be forsworn^{9 note}



.

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;I shall be, if I claim by open war.

&mlquo;Rich.
&mlquo;I'll prove the contrary, if you'll hear me speak.

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;Thou canst not, son; it is impossible.

&mlquo;Rich.
&mlquo;An oath is of no moment^{1 note}

&mast;Within whose circuit is Elysium,
&mast;And all that poets feign of bliss and joy.
&mast;Why do we linger thus? I cannot rest,
&mast;Until the white rose, that I wear, be dyed
&mast;Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart.

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;Richard, enough; I will be king, or die.—
&mlquo;Brother, thou shalt to London presently^{2 note}










,
&mlquo;And whet on Warwick to this enterprise.—
&mlquo;Thou, Richard, shalt unto the duke of Norfolk,
&mlquo;And tell him privily of our intent.—
&mlquo;You, Edward, shall unto my lord Cobham,
With whom the Kentishmen will willingly rise:
&mlquo;In them I trust; for they are soldiers,
&mlquo;Witty and courteous, liberal, full of spirit^{3 note}

&mlquo;While you are thus employ'd, what resteth more,
&mlquo;But that I seek occasion how to rise;
&mlquo;And yet the king not privy to my drift,
&mlquo;Nor any of the house of Lancaster? Enter a Messenger^{4 note}

&mlquo;Mess.
&mlquo;The queen, with all the northern earls and lords^{5 note}

&mlquo;Intend here to besiege you in your castle:
&mlquo;She is hard by with twenty thousand men^{6 note}





;
&mlquo;And therefore fortify your hold, my lord.

&mast;York.
&mast;Ay, with my sword. What! think'st thou, that we fear them!—
&mlquo;Edward and Richard, you shall stay with me;—
&mlquo;My brother Montague shall post to London:
&mast;Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,
&mast;Whom we have left protectors of the king,
&mast;With powerful policy strengthen themselves,

&mast;And trust not simple Henry, nor his oaths.

&mast;Mont.
&mast;Brother, I go; I'll win them, fear it not:
&mast;And thus most humbly I do take my leave. [Exit. Enter Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer.

York.
Sir John, and Sir Hugh Mortimer, mine uncles!
&mlquo;You are come to Sandal in a happy hour;
The army of the queen mean to besiege us.

Sir John.
She shall not need, we'll meet her in the field.

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;What, with five thousand men?

Rich.
Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need.
A woman's general; What should we fear? [A March afar off.

&mlquo;Edw.
&mlquo;I hear their drums; let's set our men in order;
&mlquo;And issue forth, and bid them battle straight.

&mlquo;York.
&mlquo;Five men to twenty^{7 note}





!—though the odds be great,
&mlquo;I doubt not, uncle, of our victory.
&mlquo;Many a battle have I won in France,
&mlquo;When as the enemy hath been ten to one;
&mlquo;Why should I not now have the like success? [Alarum. Exeunt.

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