"Yes; and this, fair cousin, and ye, lords and gentlemen, is my reason
for the delay. I have despatched Sir William, Lord de Hastings, to
the Duke of Gloucester, with command to join us here (the archbishop
started, but instantly resumed his earnest, placid aspect); to the
Lord Montagu, Earl of Northumberland, to muster all the vassals of our
shire of York. As three streams that dash into the ocean, shall our
triple army meet and rush to the war. Not even, gentlemen, not even
to the great Earl of Warwick will Edward IV. be so beholden for
roiaulme and renown, as to march but a companion to the conquest. If
ye were raised in Warwick's name, not mine,--why, be it so! I envy
him such friends; but I will have an army of mine own, to show mine
English soldiery how a Plantagenet battles for his crown. Gentlemen,
ye are dismissed to your repose. In three days we march! and if any
of you know in these fair realms the man, be he of York or of
Lancaster, more fit to command brave subjects than he who now
addresses you, I say to that man, turn rein, and leave us! Let
tyrants and cowards enforce reluctant service,--my crown was won by
the hearts of my people! Girded by those hearts, let me reign, or,
mourned by them, let me fall! So God and Saint George favour me as I
speak the truth!"

And as the king ceased, he uncovered his head, and kissed the cross of
his sword. A thrill went through the audience. Many were there,
disaffected to his person, and whom Warwick's influence alone could
have roused to arms; but at the close of an address spirited and loyal
in itself, and borrowing thousand-fold effect by the voice and mien of
the speaker, no feeling but that of enthusiastic loyalty, of almost
tearful admiration, was left in those steel-clad breasts.

As the king lifted on high the cross of his sword, every blade leaped