Patrick Henry: Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: I offer resolutions declaring that Virginia arm herself for the coming war.
Men of House: Why should we fight England? It is the greatest country in the world and it is our Mother Country.
Second Man of House: Why not send petitions to the King asking him to send his two armies out of Boston?
Third Man of House: We cannot fight England. Look at Drake. He checked the Spanish Armada on the sea while Raleigh checked the Spanish on the land. If we fight England it will leave us weaker than we are.
Fourth Man of House: If we fight our Mother Country now it will spoil the little nation we are trying to build up. We are not ready to fight.
Patrick Henry: Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Mr. Henry.
Henry: We must fight! I repeat it, Sir, we must fight. An appeal to arms and the God of Hosts is all that is left to us. They tell us, Sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be next year, or next week? Sir, we are not weak if we make the proper use which the God of Nature has placed in our power. Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable, and let it come! Our brothers are all ready on the field. Why stand we here idle! Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! (Much applause).
End of Act II.