Humphrey of Gloster, thou shalt well perceive, The bishop will be overborne by thee: [Exeunt. SCENE 11-France. Plains in Anjou. Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alençon, La Pucelle, and forces, marching. Char. These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits: 'Tis said, the stout Parisians do revolt, And keep not back your powers in dalliance. Mess. Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices! Char. What tidings send our scouts? I pr'ythee, 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 for[Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. Before Angiers. Alarums: Excursions. Enter La Pucelle. Puc. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. Now help, ye charming spells, and periapts;! You speedy helpers, that are substitutes Enter Fiends. [Thunder. This speedy quick appearance argues proof Help me this once, that France may get the field. my blood, [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress?-My body shall Pay recompense, if you I 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 vail3 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. [Ex. (1) Charms sewed up. (2) The north was supposed to be the particular habitation of bad spirits. (3) Lower. Alarums. Enter French and English, fighting. La Pucelle and York fight hand to hand. La - Pucelle is taken. The French fly. York. Damsel of France, I think I have you fast: And may ye both be suddenly surpris'd tongue. Puc. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a while. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the [Exeunt. Alarums. Enter Suffolk, leading in Lady Mar stake. garet. Suff. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. [Gazes on her. O fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly; For I will touch thee but with reverent hands, I kiss these fingers [Kissing her hand.] for eternal peace: 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. Suff. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd. Be not offended, nature's miracle, Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me: So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, (1) To ban is to curse. Keeping them prisoners underneath her wings. [She turns away as going. So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner? Suff 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 ransom must I pay? Suff. She's beautiful; and therefore to be woo'd: She is a woman; therefore to be won. [Aside. Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no? Suff. 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. Suff. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card. Mar. He talks at random; sure the man is mad. Suff. And yet a dispensation may be had. Mar. And yet I would that you would answer me. Suff I'll win this lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: Tush! that's a wooden thing.2 (1) Do not represent thyself so weak.' (2) An awkward business, an undertaking not likely to succeed. Mar. He talks of wood: It is some carpenter. Suff. 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 he is poor, And our nobility will scorn the match. [Aside. Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? Suff. 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. Suff. 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. Suff. Sweet madam, give me hearing in a causeMar. Tush! women have been captivate ere [Aside. now. Suff. Lady, wherefore talk you so? Mar. I cry you mercy, 'tis but quid for quo. Suff. Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a queen? Mar. To be a queen in bondage, is more vile, Than is a slave in base servility; For princes should be free. Suff And so shall you, If happy England's royal king be free. Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? Suff. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen; To put a golden sceptre in thy hand, And set a precious crown upon thy head, Mar. Suff. His love. What? Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. Suff. No, gentle madam; I unworthy am (1) Love. |