Page 801 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

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.

Y ORK

I took an oath that he should quietly reign. [15]

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.

Y ORK

I shall be, if I claim by open war.

RICHARD

I’ll prove the contrary, if you’ll hear me speak. [20]

Y ORK

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. [25]
Then, seeing ’twas 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 [30]
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.

Y ORK

Richard, enough: I will be king, or die. - [35]