SCENE VII. Another Part of the same. Alarum: Excursions. Enter TALBOT wounded, supported by a Servant. Tal. Where is my other life? - mine own is gone; O, where's young Talbot? where is valiant John? friumphant death, smear'd with captivity! Young Talbot's valour makes me smile at thee: Enter Soldiers, bearing the body of JOHN TALBOT. Anon, from thy insulting tyranny, Two Talbots, winged through the lither sky, O thou whose wounds become hard-favoured death, say Had death been French, then death had died to-day. Bast. How the young whelp of Talbot's, raging wood, Did flesh his puny sword in Frenchmen's blood! He left me proudly, as unworthy fight. Bur. Doubtless, he would have made a noble knight: See, where he lies inhersed in the arms Of the most bloody nurser of his harms. Bast. Hew them to pieces, hack their bones asunder; Whose life was England's glory, Gallia's wonder. Char. O, no; forbear: for that which we have fled During the life, let us not wrong it dead. Enter Sir WILLIAM LUCY, attended; a French Herald preceding. Lucy. Herald, Conduct me to the Dauphin's tent; to know Char. On what submissive message art thou sent? Lucy. Submission, Dauphin? 'tis a mere French word; We English warriors wot not what it means. Char. For prisoners ask'st thou? hell our prison is. But tell me whom thou seek'st. Lucy. Where is the great Alcides of the field, Valiant lord Talbot, earl of Shrewsbury? Created, for his rare success in arms, Great earl of Washford, Waterford, and Valence; Lord Talbot of Goodrig and Urchinfield, Lord Strange of Blackmere, lord Verdun of Alton, The thrice victorious lord of Falconbridge; Of all his wars within the realm of France? scourge, Your kingdom's terrour and black Nemesis? Puc. I think, this upstart is old Talbot's ghost, He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit. For God's sake, let him have 'em; to keep them here, They would but stink, and putrefy the air. I'll bear them hence Enter KING HENRY, GLOSTER, and EXETER. K. Hen. Have you perus'd the letters from the pope, The emperor, and the earl of Armagnac? Glo. I have, my lord; and their intent is this, K. Hen. How doth your grace affect their motion ? Glo. Well, my good lord; and as the only means To stop effusion of our Christian blood, And 'stablish quietness on every side. K. Hen. Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought, It was both impious and unnatural, That such immanity and bloody strife Should reign among professors of one faith. Glo. Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect, And fitter is my study and my books, Ere. What is my lord of Winchester install'A, If once he come to be a cardinal, He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown. K. Hen. My lords ambassadors, your several suits Have been consider'd and debated on. Your purpose is both good and reasonable : As Glo. And for the proffer of my lord your master,I have inform'd his highness so at large, liking of the lady's virtuous gifts, Her beauty, and the value of her dower, He doth intend she shall be England's queen. K. Hen. In argument and proof of which contract, Bear her this jewel, [to the Amb.] pledge of my affection. And so, my lord protector, see them guarded, And safely brought to Dover; where, inshipp'd, Commit them to the fortune of the sea. The sum of money, which I promised For clothing me in these grave ornaments. Leg. I will attend upon your lordship's leisure. Win. Now, Winchester will not submit, I trow, Or be inferior to the proudest peer. Humphrey of Gloster, thou shalt well perceive, That, neither in birth, or for authority, The bishop will be overborne by thee: I'll either make thee stoop, and bend thy knee, Or sack this country with a mutiny. SCENE II. — France. [Exeunt. Plains in Anjou. Enter CHARLES, BURGUNDY, ALENÇON, LA Char. These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits: 'Tis said, the stout Parisians do revolt, And turn again unto the warlike French. Alen. Then march to Paris, royal Charles of And keep not back your powers in dalliance. Enter a Messenger. Mess. Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices! Char. What tidings send our scouts? I pry'thee, speak. Mess. The English army, that divided was Char. Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is; But we will presently provide for them. Bur. I trust, the ghost of Talbot is not there; Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear. Puc. Of all base passions, fear is most accurs'd:Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine; Let Henry fret, and all the world repine. Char. Then on, my lords; And France be fortunate! [Exeunt. This speedy quick appearance argues proof Of your accustom'd diligence to me. Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd Out of the powerful regions under earth, Help me this once, that France may get the field. [They walk about and speak not. Win. Stay, my lord legate; you shall first receive O, hold me not with silence over-long! [Exeunt KING HENRY and Train; GLOSTer, EXETER, and Ambassadors. Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, So you do condescend to help me now. — [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress? My body shall Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit. [They shake their heads. Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, Entreat you to your wonted furtherance? Then take my soul; my body, soul, and all, Before that England give the French the foil. [They depart. See! they forsake me. Now the time is come, That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest, And let her head fall into England's lap. My ancient incantations are too weak, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [Erit. Alarums. Enter French and English, fighting. LA PUCELLE and YORK fight hand to hand. PUCELLE is taken. The French fly. LA York. Damsel of France, I think, I have you fast: Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms, And try if they can gain your liberty. A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace! See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows, As if, with Circe, she would change my shape. Puc. Chang'd to a worser shape thou can'st not be. York. O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; No shape but his can please your dainty eye. Puc. A plaguing mischief light on Charles, and thee! And may ye both be suddenly surpriz'd York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy tongue. Puc. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a while. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. [Exeunt. Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee. Mar. Margaret my name; and daughter to a king, The king of Naples, whosoe'er thou art. Suf. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd. Be not offended, nature's miracle, So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak: I'll call for pen and ink, and write my mind: Fye, De la Poole! disable not thyself; Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner? Suf. How canst thou tell, she will deny thy suit, Before thou make a trial of her love? [Aside. Mar. Why speak'st thou not? what ransome must pay? Suf. She's beautiful; and therefore to be woo'd: She is a woman; therefore to be won. [Aside. Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransome, yea, or no? Suf. Fond man! remember, that thou hast a wife; Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? [Aside. Mar. I were best leave him, for he will not hear. Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card. Mar. He talks at random; sure, the man is mad. Suf. And yet a dispensation may be had. Mar. And yet I would that you would answer me. Suf. I'll win this lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: Tush! that's a wooden thing. Mar. He talks of wood: It is some carpenter. Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms. But there remains a scruple in that too: For though her father be the king of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match. [Aside. Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? Suf. It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much: Henry is youthful, and will quickly yield. Madam, I have a secret to reveal. Mar. What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a knight, And will not any way dishonour me. [Aside. Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. Mar. Perhaps, I shall be rescu'd by the French; And then I need not crave his courtesy. [Aside. Suf. Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause — Mar. Tush! women have been captivate ere now. [Aside. Suf. Lady, wherefore talk you so ? Mar. To be a queen in bondage, is more vile, And so shall you, Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? Suf. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen ; To put a golden scepter in thy hand, And set a precious crown upon thy head, Suf. His love. What? Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. Mar. An if my father please, I am content. [Troops come forward. A Parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER, on the walls. Suf. See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner. Reig. To whom? Suf. Reig. To me. There Minotaurs, and ugly treasons, lurk. Suffolk, what remedy? That, when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet, I am a soldier: and unapt to weep, Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: [Exit, from the walls. To be the princely bride of such a lord; Enjoy mine own, the county Maine, and Anjou, Suf. That is her ransome, I deliver her; And those two counties, I will undertake, Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy. Reig. And I again, - in Henry's royal name, As deputy unto that gracious king, Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith. Suf. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Because this is in traffick of a king: And yet, methinks, I could be well content To be mine own attorney in this case. I'll over then to England with this news, And make this marriage to be solemniz'd ; So, farewell, Reignier! Set this diamond safe In golden palaces, as it becomes. [Aside. Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. Mar. Farewell, my lord! Good wishes, praise, and prayers, [Going. Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. No princely commendations to my king? Mar. Such commendations as become a maid, A virgin, and his servant, say to him. Suf. Words sweetly plac'd, and modestly directed. But, madam, I must trouble you again, No loving token to his majesty? Mar. Yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted heart. Never yet taint with love, I send the king. Suf. And this withal. [Kisses her. Mar. That for thyself; I will not so presume, To send such peevish tokens to a king. [Exeunt REIGNIER and MARGARET. Suf. O, wert thou for myself!-But, Suffolk, stay; Thou may'st not wander in that labyrinth; SCENE IV. [Erit. Camp of the Duke of York, in Enter YORK, WARWICK, and others. York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to burn. Enter LA PUCELLE, guarded, and a Shepherd. Shep. Ah, Joan! this kills thy father's heart outright! Have I sought every country far and near, Thou art no father, nor no friend, of mine. not so; I did beget her, all tne parish knows : War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? York. This argues what her kind of life hath been; Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes. Shep. Fye, Joan! that thou wilt be so obstacle' God knows, thou art a collop of my flesh; And for thy sake have I shed many a tear : Deny me not, I pr'ythee, gentle Joan. Puc. Peasant, avaunt'. man, You have suborn'd this Of purpose to obscure my noble birth. Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest, The morn that I was wedded to her mother. Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl. Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time Of thy nativity! I would, the milk Thy mother gave thee, when thou suck'dst her breast, Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake! Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs a-field, Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab? O, burn her, burn her; hanging is too good. [Exit. York Take her away; for she hath liv'd too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities. Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have con demn'd: Not me begotten of a shepherd swain, A virgin from her tender infancy, Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?— York. Now heaven forefend! the holy maid with child? War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought: Is all your strict preciseness come to this? York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling: I did imagine what would be her refuge. War. Well, go to: we will have no bastards live; Especially, since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceiv'd; my child is none of his ; It was Alençon that enjoyed my love. York. Alençon! that notorious Machiavel! It dies, an if it had a thousand lives. Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you; 'Twas neither Charles, nor yet the duke I nam'd, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd. War. A married man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think, she knows not well, There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It's sign, she hath been liberal and free. York. And, yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure.Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee: Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. Puc. Then lead me hence; my curse: with whom I leave May never glorious sun reflex his beams York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to ashes, Thou foul accursed minister of hell! Enter CARDINAL BEAUFORT, attended. York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, It shall be with such strict and severe covenants As little shall the Frenchinen gain thereby. Enter CHARLES, attended; ALENÇON, Bastard, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my poison'd voice, Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself? Char. 'Tis known, already that I am possess'd York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league; Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy, And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure serves. [Aside, to CHarles. War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand? |