174 SYLVA FLORTFERA. 



" Since you are tongue-ty'd, 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 supposes that I have pleaded truth, 

 From off this briar, pluck a white rose with me." 



To which Somerset answers, 



" 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. 



Warwick, I love no colours, and, without all colour 

 Of base insinuating flatter}', 

 I pluck this white rose, with Plantagenet. 



Suffolk. I pluck this red rose with young Somerset, 

 And say withal, I think he held the right. 



Vernon. Stay, lords, and gentlemen ; and pluck no more, 

 Till you conclude — that he, upon whose side 

 The fewest roses are cropp'd from the tree, 

 Shall yield the other in the right opinion." 



This being settled, Vernon says, 



" Then, for the truth and plainness of the case, 

 I pluck this pale and maiden blossom here, 

 Giving my verdict on the white rose side. 



Som. Prick not your fingers as you pluck it off; 

 Lest, bleeding, you do paint the white rose red, 

 And fall on my side so against your will. 



Plan. Now, Somerset, where is your argument? 



Som. Here, in my scabbard ; meditating that, 

 Shall die your white rose in a bloody red. 



Plan. Now, by this maiden blossom in my hand, 

 I scorn thee and thy fashion, peevish boy." 



From that time 1454, until the families 

 were united in 1485, civil war laid waste the 

 fairest portions of our country, and the sons 



