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King Henry the Sixth, I. i
5

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. 100

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. 103

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, 108
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. 112

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, 116
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. 120

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, 124

105 Cf. n.
106 Thy grandfather: on the mother's side
110 sith: since
113 old enough now: i.e. thirty-nine years old