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WARWICK:
Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrain'd,
Think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown?
EXETER:
No; for he could not so resign his crown
But that the next heir should succeed and reign.
KING HENRY VI:
Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter?
EXETER:
His is the right, and therefore pardon me.
YORK:
Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?
EXETER:
My conscience tells me he is lawful king.
KING HENRY VI:
NORTHUMBERLAND:
Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st,
Think not that Henry shall be so deposed.
WARWICK:
Deposed he shall be, in despite of all.
NORTHUMBERLAND:
Thou art deceived: 'tis not thy southern power,
Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent,
Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud,
Can set the duke up in despite of me.
CLIFFORD:
King Henry, be thy title right or wrong,
Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence:
May that ground gape and swallow me alive,
Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father!
KING HENRY VI:
O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart!
YORK:
Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.
What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords?
WARWICK:
Do right unto this princely Duke of York,
Or I will fill the house with armed men,
And over the chair of state, where now he sits,
Write up his title with usurping blood.
KING HENRY VI:
My Lord of Warwick, hear me but one word:
Let me for this my life-time reign as king.
YORK:
Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs,
And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livest.
KING HENRY VI:
I am content: Richard Plantagenet,
Enjoy the kingdom after my decease.
CLIFFORD:
What wrong is this unto the prince your son!
WARWICK:
What good is this to England and himself!
WESTMORELAND:
Base, fearful and despairing Henry!
CLIFFORD:
How hast thou injured both thyself and us!
WESTMORELAND:
I cannot stay to hear these articles.
NORTHUMBERLAND:
Nor I.
CLIFFORD:
Come, cousin, let us tell the queen these news.
WESTMORELAND:
Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king,
In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides.
NORTHUMBERLAND:
Be thou a prey unto the house of York,
And die in bands for this unmanly deed!
CLIFFORD:
In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome,
Or live in peace abandon'd and despised!
WARWICK: