GARDEN FLOWERS. 
3 
Hostess. Your colour, I warrant you, is as red as 
any rose. 
King Henry IV., Part II. Act ii. Scene 4. 
Plantagenet. 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 love no colours; and, without all colour 
Of base insinuating flattery, 
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. 
Somerset. Good master Vernon, it is well objected : 
If I have fewest I subscribe in silence. 
Plantagenet. And I. 
Vernon. 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. 
Somerset. Prick not your finger as you pluck it off, 
Lest, bleeding, you do paint the white rose red, 
And fall on my side so, against your will. 
Vernon. If I, my lord, for my opinion bleed, 
Opinion shall be surgeon to my hurt, 
And keep me on the side where still I am. 
