First Part of Henry the Sixth Shakespeare's work act ii scene v

EDMUND MORTIMER, EARL OF MARCH 

I will, if that my fading breath permit And death approach not ere my tale be done. Henry the Fourth, grandfather to this king, Depos’d his nephew Richard, Edward’s son, The first begotten, and the lawful heir Of Edward king, the third of that descent; During whose reign the Percies of the north, Finding his usurpation most unjust, Endeavor’d my advancement to the throne. The reason mov’d these warlike lords to this Was, for that (young Richard thus remov’d, Leaving no heir begotten of his body) I was the next by birth and parentage; For by my mother I derived am From Lionel Duke of Clarence, third son To King Edward the Third; whereas he From John of Gaunt doth bring his pedigree, Being but fourth of that heroic line. But mark: as in this haughty great attempt They labored to plant the rightful heir, I lost my liberty, and they their lives. Long after this, when Henry the Fifth (Succeeding his father Bullingbrook) did reign, Thy father, Earl of Cambridge then, deriv’d From famous Edmund Langley, Duke of York, Marrying my sister that thy mother was, Again, in pity of my hard distress, Levied an army, weening to redeem And have install’d me in the diadem. But as the rest, so fell that noble earl, And was beheaded. Thus the Mortimers, In whom the title rested, were suppress’d. RICHARD PLANTAGENET Of which, my lord, your honor is the last. EDMUND MORTIMER, EARL OF MARCH True; and thou seest that I no issue have, And that my fainting words do warrant death. Thou art my heir; the rest I wish thee gather; But yet be wary in thy studious care. RICHARD PLANTAGENET Thy grave admonishments prevail with me. But yet methinks, my father’s execution Was nothing less than bloody tyranny. EDMUND MORTIMER, EARL OF MARCH With silence, nephew, be thou politic. Strong fixed is the house of Lancaster, And like a mountain, not to be remov’d. But now thy uncle is removing hence, As princes do their courts, when they are cloy’d With long continuance in a settled place. 

First Part of Henry the Sixth Shakespeare's work act ii scene v www.gutenberg.org