INNS OF COURT 
2 77 
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. 
Warwick, 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. 
Lawyer (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 ? 
