INNS OF COURT 277 



by Shakespeare, of the first beginning to the Wars of the 

 Roses in the Temple Garden. 



Richard Plantagenet, with the Earls of Somerset, 

 Suffolk, and Warwick, Vernon, and a lawyer, enter the 

 Temple Garden ("Henry VI." Pt. I. Act 2, sc. iv.). 



Suffolk. Within the Temple Hall we were too loud ; 

 The garden here is more convenient. 

 Plantagenet. Then say at once if I maintained the truth, 



Or else was wrangling Somerset in the error ? 



The direct answer being evaded, Plantagenet con- 

 tinues — 



Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak. 

 In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts ; 

 Let him that is a true-born gentleman. 

 And stands upon the honour of his birth, 

 If he suppose that I have pleaded truth. 

 From off this brier pluck a white rose with me. 

 Somerset. Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer, 

 But dare maintain the party of the truth. 

 Pluck a red rose from off this thorn with me. 



IVarwlci. I pluck this white rose with Plantagenet. 

 Suffolk. I pluck this red rose with young Somerset. 



Vernon. 1 pluck this pale and maiden blossom here, 

 Giving my verdict on the white rose side. 



Lanvyer (to Somerset) . . . The argument you held was 

 wrong in you. 

 In sign whereof I pluck a white rose too. 

 Plan. Now, Somerset, where is your argument ? 

 Som. Here, in my scabbard, meditating that 



Shall dye your white rose in a bloody red. 



Plan. Hath not thy rose a canker, Somerset ? 

 Som. Hath not thy rose a thorn, Plantagenet ? 



