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DRAMATIS PERSONAE (Persons Represented):

:KING HENRY the Sixth
:DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, uncle to the King, and Protector
:DUKE OF BEDFORD, uncle to the King, and Regent of France
:THOMAS BEAUFORT, Duke of Exeter, great-uncle to the King
:HENRY BEAUFORT, great-uncle to the King, Bishop of Winchester, and afterwards Cardinal
:JOHN BEAUFORT, Earl, afterwards Duke, of Somerset
:RICHARD PLANTAGENET, son of Richard, late Earl of Cambridge, afterwards Duke of York
:EARL OF WARWICK
:EARL OF SALISBURY
:EARL OF SUFFOLK
:LORD TALBOT, afterwards Earl of Shrewbury
:JOHN TALBOT, his son
:EDMUND MORTIMER, Earl of March
:SIR JOHN FASTOLFE
:SIR WILLIAM LUCY
:SIR WILLIAM GLANSDALE
:SIR THOMAS GARGRAVE
:Mayor of London
:WOODVILE, Lieutenant of the Tower
:VERNON, of the White-Rose or York faction
:BASSET, of the Red-Rose or Lancaster faction
:A Lawyer, Mortimer's Keepers

:CHARLES, Dauphin, and afterwards King, of France
:REIGNIER, Duke of Anjou, and titular King of Naples
:DUKE OF BURGUNDY
:DUKE OF ALENCON
:BASTARD OF ORLEANS
:Governor of Paris
:Master-Gunner of Orleans and his Son
:General of the French forces in Bordeaux
:A French Sergeant   A Porter
:An old Shepherd, father to Joan la Pucelle

:MARGARET, daughter to Reignier, afterwards married to King Henry
:COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE
:JOAN LA PUCELLE, Commonly called Joan of Arc

:Lords, Warders of the Tower, Heralds, Officers, Soldiers,
:Messengers, and Attendants

:Fiends appearing to La Pucelle

SCENE: Partly in England, and partly in France

'''The First Part of King Henry VI'''

== ACT I ==

=== SCENE I  Westminster Abbey.===

[Dead March. Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France; the Duke of Gloucester, Protector; the Duke of Exeter, the Earl of Warwick, the Bishop of Winchester, Heralds, &c.]

BEDFORD.
:Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night!
:Comets, importing change of times and states,
:Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky,
:And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
:That have consented unto Henry's death!
:King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long!
:England ne'er lost a king of so much worth.

GLOUCESTER.
:England ne'er had a king until his time.
:Virtue he had, deserving to command:
:His brandish'd sword did blind men with his beams:
:His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings;
:His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire,
:More dazzled and drove back his enemies
:Than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces.
:What should I say? his deeds exceed all speech:
:He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered.

EXETER.
:We mourn in black:  why mourn we not in blood?
:Henry is dead and never shall revive:
:Upon a wooden coffin we attend,
:And death's dishonourable victory
:We with our stately presence glorify,
:Like captives bound to a triumphant car.
:What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
:That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
:Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
:Conjurers and sorcerers, that afraid of him
:By magic verses have contriv'd his end?

WINCHESTER.
:He was a king bless'd of the King of kings;
:Unto the French the dreadful judgment-day
:So dreadful will not be as was his sight.
:The battles of the Lord of hosts he fought:
:The Church's prayers made him so prosperous.

GLOUCESTER.
:The church! where is it? Had not churchmen pray'd,
:His thread of life had not so soon decay'd:
:None do you like but an effeminate prince,
:Whom, like a school-boy, you may over-awe.

WINCHESTER.
:Gloucester, whate'er we like, thou art Protector,
:And lookest to command the Prince and realm.
:Thy wife is proud; she holdeth thee in awe,
:More than God or religious churchmen may.

GLOUCESTER.
:Name not religion, for thou lov'st the flesh,
:And ne'er throughout the year to church thou go'st,
:Except it be to pray against thy foes.

BEDFORD.
:Cease, cease these jars and rest your minds in peace:
:Let's to the altar:  heralds, wait on us:
:Instead of gold, we'll offer up our arms;
:Since arms avail not, now that Henry's dead.
:Posterity, await for wretched years,
:When at their mothers' moist eyes babes shall suck,
:Our isle be made a marish of salt tears,
:And none but women left to wail the dead.
:Henry the Fifth, thy ghost I invocate:
:Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils,
:Combat with adverse planets in the heavens!
:A far more glorious star thy soul will make
:Than Julius Caesar or bright—

[Enter a Messenger.]

MESSENGER.
:My honourable lords, health to you all!
:Sad tidings bring I to you out of France,
:Of loss, of slaughter, and discomfiture:
:Guienne, Champagne, Rheims, Orleans,
:Paris, Guysors, Poictiers, are all quite lost.

BEDFORD.
:What say'st thou, man, before dead Henry's corse?
:Speak softly; or the loss of those great towns
:Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.

GLOUCESTER.
:Is Paris lost? Is Rouen yielded up
:If Henry were recall'd to life again,
:These news would cause him once more yield the ghost.

EXETER.
:How were they lost? What treachery was us'd?

MESSENGER.
:No treachery; but want of men and money.
:Amongst the soldiers this is muttered,
:That here you maintain several factions,
:And whilst a field should be dispatch'd and fought,
:You are disputing of your generals:
:One would have lingering wars with little cost;
:Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings;
:A third thinks, without expense at all,
:By guileful fair words peace may be obtain'd.
:Awake, awake, English nobility!
:Let not sloth dim your honours new-begot:
:Cropp'd are the flower-de-luces in your arms;
:Of England's coat one half is cut away.

EXETER.
:Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
:These tidings would call forth their flowing tides.

BEDFORD.
:Me they concern; Regent I am of France.
:Give me my steeled coat.  I'll fight for France.
:Away with these disgraceful wailing robes!
:Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes,
:To weep their intermissive miseries.

[Enter to them another Messenger.]

MESSENGER.
:Lords, view these letters full of bad mischance.
:France is revolted from the English quite,
:Except some petty towns of no import:
:The Dauphin Charles is crowned king in Rheims;
:The Bastard of Orleans with him is join'd;
:Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part;
:The Duke of Alencon flieth to his side.

EXETER.
:The Dauphin crowned king! all fly to him!
:O, whither shall we fly from this reproach?

GLOUCESTER.
:We will not fly, but to our enemies' throats.
:Bedford, if thou be slack, I'll fight it out.

BEDFORD.
:Gloucester, why doubt'st thou of my forwardness?
:An army have I muster'd in my thoughts,
:Wherewith already France is overrun.

[Enter another Messenger.]

MESSENGER.
:My gracious lords, to add to your laments,
:Wherewith you now bedew King Henry's hearse,
:I must inform you of a dismal fight
:Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.

WINCHESTER.
:What! wherein Talbot overcame? is't so?

MESSENGER.
:O, no; wherein Lord Talbot was o'erthrown:
:The circumstance I'll tell you more at large.
:The tenth of August last this dreadful lord,
:Retiring from the siege of Orleans,
:Having full scarce six thousand in his troop,
:By three and twenty thousand of the French
:Was round encompassed and set upon.
:No leisure had he to enrank his men;
:He wanted pikes to set before his archers;
:Instead whereof sharp stakes pluck'd out of hedges
:They pitched in the ground confusedly,
:To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.
:More than three hours the fight continued;
:Where valiant Talbot above human thought
:Enacted wonders with his sword and lance:
:Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him;
:Here, there, and every where, enrag'd he slew:
:The French exclaim'd, the devil was in arms;
:All the whole army stood agaz'd on him.
:His soldiers spying his undaunted spirit
:A Talbot! a Talbot! cried out amain,
:And rush'd into the bowels of the battle.
:Here had the conquest fully been seal'd up,
:If Sir John Fastolfe had not play'd the coward.
:He, being in the vaward, plac'd behind
:With purpose to relieve and follow them,
:Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
:Hence grew the general wreck and massacre;
:Enclosed were they with their enemies:
:A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin's grace,
:Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back;
:Whom all France with their chief assembled strength
:Durst not presume to look once in the face.

BEDFORD.
:Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself,
:For living idly here in pomp and ease,
:Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid,
:Unto his dastard foemen is betray'd.

MESSENGER.
:O no, he lives; but is took prisoner,
:And Lord Scales with him, and Lord Hungerford:
:Most of the rest slaughter'd or took likewise.

BEDFORD.
:His ransom there is none but I shall pay:
:I'll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne:
:His crown shall be the ransom of my friend;
:Four of their lords I'll change for one of ours.
:Farewell, my masters; to my task will I;
:Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make
:To keep our great Saint George's feast withal:
:Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take,
:Whose bloody deeds shall make an Europe quake.

MESSENGER.
:So you had need; for Orleans is besieg'd;
:The English army is grown weak and faint:
:The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply,
:And hardly keeps his men from mutiny,
:Since they, so few, watch such a multitude.

EXETER.
:Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn,
:Either to quell the Dauphin utterly,
:Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.

BEDFORD.
:I do remember it, and here take my leave
:To go about my preparation.

[Exit.]

GLOUCESTER.
:I'll to the Tower with all the haste I can,
:To view the artillery and munition;
:And then I will proclaim young Henry king.

[Exit.]

EXETER.
:To Eltham will I, where the young King is,
:Being ordain'd his special governor;
:And for his safety there I'll best devise.

[Exit.]

WINCHESTER.
:Each hath his place and function to attend:
:I am left out; for me nothing remains.
:But long I will not be Jack out of office:
:The King from Eltham I intend to steal,
:And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE II. France. Before Orleans ===

[Sound a Flourish. Enter Charles, Alencon, and Reignier, marching with Drum and Soldiers.]

CHARLES.
:Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens
:So in the earth, to this day is not known:
:Late did he shine upon the English side;
:Now we are victors; upon us he smiles.
:What towns of any moment but we have?
:At pleasure here we lie near Orleans;
:Otherwhiles the famish'd English, like pale ghosts,
:Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.

ALENCON.
:They want their porridge and their fat bull beeves
:Either they must be dieted like mules,
:And have their provender tied to their mouths,
:Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.

REIGNIER.
:Let's raise the siege:  why live we idly here?
:Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear:
:Remaineth none but mad-brain'd Salisbury;
:And he may well in fretting spend his gall,
:Nor men nor money hath he to make war.

CHARLES.
:Sound, sound alarum! we will rush on them.
:Now for the honour of the forlorn French!
:Him I forgive my death that killeth me
:When he sees me go back one foot or flee.

[Exeunt.]

Here alarum; they are beaten back by the English, with
:great loss. Re-enter Charles, Alencon, and Reignier.

CHARLES.
:Who ever saw the like? what men have I!
:Dogs! cowards! dastards!  I would ne'er have fled,
:But that they left me 'midst my enemies.

REIGNIER.
:Salisbury is a desperate homicide;
:He fighteth as one weary of his life.
:The other lords, like lions wanting food,
:Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.

ALENCON.
:Froissart, a countryman of ours, records,
:England all Olivers and Rowlands bred
:During the time Edward the Third did reign.
:More truly now may this be verified;
:For none but Samsons and Goliases
:It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten!
:Lean raw-bon'd rascals! who would e'er suppose
:They had such courage and audacity?

CHARLES.
:Let's leave this town; for they are hare-brain'd slaves,
:And hunger will enforce them to be more eager:
:Of old I know them; rather with their teeth
:The walls they'll tear down than forsake the siege.

REIGNIER.
:I think by some odd gimmors or device
:Their arms are set like clocks, still to strike on;
:Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do.
:By my consent, we'll even let them alone.

ALENCON.
:Be it so.

[Enter the Bastard of Orleans.]

BASTARD.
:Where's the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.

CHARLES.
:Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us.

BASTARD.
:Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appall'd:
:Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?
:Be not dismay'd, for succour is at hand:
:A holy maid hither with me I bring,
:Which by a vision sent to her from heaven
:Ordained is to raise this tedious siege,
:And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
:The spirit of deep prophecy she hath,
:Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome:
:What's past and what's to come she can descry.
:Speak, shall I call her in?  Believe my words,
:For they are certain and unfallible.

CHARLES.
:Go, call her in. [Exit Bastard.]
:But first, to try her skill,
:Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place;
:Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern:
:By this means shall we sound what skill she hath.

[Re-enter the Bastard of Orleans, with Joan La Pucelle.]

REIGNIER.
:Fair maid, is 't thou wilt do these wondrous feats?

PUCELLE.
:Reignier is 't thou that thinkest to beguile me?
:Where is the Dauphin? Come, come from behind;
:I know thee well, though never seen before.
:Be not amazed, there's nothing hid from me.
:In private will I talk with thee apart.
:Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile.

REIGNIER.
:She takes upon her bravely at first dash.

PUCELLE.
:Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter,
:My wit untrain'd in any kind of art.
:Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
:To shine on my contemptible estate:
:Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs
:And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks,
:God's mother deigned to appear to me,
:And in a vision full of majesty
:Will'd me to leave my base vocation,
:And free my country from calamity:
:Her aid she promised and assured success:
:In complete glory she reveal'd herself;
:And, whereas I was black and swart before,
:With those clear rays which she infused on me
:That beauty am I bless'd with which you may see.
:Ask me what question thou canst possible,
:And I will answer unpremeditated:
:My courage try by combat, if thou dar'st,
:And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
:Resolve on this, thou shalt be fortunate,
:If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.

CHARLES.
:Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms;
:Only this proof I 'll of thy valour make,
:In single combat thou shalt buckle with me,
:And if thou vanquishest, thy words are true;
:Otherwise I renounce all confidence.

PUCELLE.
:I am prepared:  here is my keen-edg'd sword,
:Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side,
:The which at Touraine, in Saint Katharine's church-yard,
:Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth.

CHARLES.
:Then come, o' God's name; I fear no woman.

PUCELLE.
:And while I live, I 'll ne'er fly from a man.
:Here they fight, and Joan La Pucelle overcomes.

CHARLES.
:Stay, stay thy hands; thou art an Amazon,
:And fightest with the sword of Deborah.

PUCELLE.
:Christ's Mother helps me, else I were too weak.

CHARLES.
:Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must help me:
:Impatiently I burn with thy desire;
:My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.
:Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so,
:Let me thy servant and not sovereign be:
:'Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus.

PUCELLE.
:I must not yield to any rites of love,
:For my profession's sacred from above:
:When I have chased all thy foes from hence,
:Then will I think upon a recompense.

CHARLES.
:Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall.

REIGNIER.
:My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.

ALENCON.
:Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock;
:Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.

REIGNIER.
:Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean?

ALENCON.
:He may mean more than we poor men do know:
:These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.

REIGNIER.
:My lord, where are you? what devise you on?
:Shall we give over Orleans, or no?

PUCELLE.
:Why, no, I say; distrustful recreants!
:Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard.

CHARLES.
:What she says I'll confirm:  we'll fight it out:

PUCELLE.
:Assign'd am I to be the English scourge.
:This night the siege assuredly I 'll raise:
:Expect Saint Martin's summer, halcyon days,
:Since I have entered into these wars.
:Glory is like a circle in the water,
:Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself
:Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought.
:With Henry's death the English circle ends;
:Dispersed are the glories it included.
:Now am I like that proud insulting ship
:Which Caesar and his fortune bare at once.

CHARLES.
:Was Mahomet inspired with a dove?
:Thou with an eagle art inspired then.
:Helen, the mother of great Constantine,
:Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters, were like thee.
:Bright star of Venus, fall'n down on the earth,
:How may I reverently worship thee enough?

ALENCON.
:Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.

REIGNIER.
:Woman, do what thou canst to save our honors;
:Drive them from Orleans and be immortalized.

CHARLES.
:Presently we 'll try:  come, let's away about it:
:No prophet will I trust, if she prove false.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE III. London. Before the Tower.===

[Enter the Duke of Gloucester, with his Serving-men in blue coats.]

GLOUCESTER.
:I am come to survey the Tower this day:
:Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance.
:Where be these warders that they wait not here?
:Open the gates; 'tis Gloucester that calls.

FIRST WARDER.
:[Within] Who's there that knocks so imperiously?

FIRST SERVING-MAN.
:It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.

SECOND WARDER.
:[Within] Whoe'er he be, you may not be let in.

FIRST SERVING-MAN.
:Villains, answer you so the lord protector?

FIRST WARDER.
:[Within] The Lord protect him! so we answer him:
:We do no otherwise than we are will'd.

GLOUCESTER.
:Who willed you? or whose will stands but mine?
:There's none protector of the realm but I.
:Break up the gates, I 'll be your warrantize:
:Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
[Gloucester's men rush at the Tower Gates, and Woodvile the
Lieutenant speaks within.]

WOODVILE.
:What noise is this? what traitors have we here?

GLOUCESTER.
:Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
:Open the gates; here's Gloucester that would enter.

WOODVILE.
:Have patience, noble duke; I may not open;
:The Cardinal of Winchester forbids:
:From him I have express commandment
:That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.

GLOUCESTER.
:Faint-hearted Woodvile, prizest him 'fore me?
:Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate
:Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook?
:Thou art no friend to God or to the King.
:Open the gates, or I 'll shut thee out shortly.

SERVING-MEN.
:Open the gates unto the lord protector,
:Or we 'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.

[Enter to the Protector at the Tower Gates Winchester and his men in tawny coats.]

WINCHESTER.
:How now, ambitious Humphry! what means this?

GLOUCESTER.
:Peel'd priest, dost thou command me to be shut out?

WINCHESTER.
:I do, thou most usurping proditor,
:And not protector, of the king or realm.

GLOUCESTER.
:Stand back, thou manifest conspirator,
:Thou that contrivedst to murder our dead lord;
:Thou that givest whores indulgences to sin:
:I 'll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal's hat,
:If thou proceed in this thy insolence.

WINCHESTER.
:Nay, stand thou back; I will not budge a foot:
:This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain,
:To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt.

:GLOUCESTER.
:I will not slay thee, but I 'll drive thee back:
:Thy scarlet robes as a child's bearing-cloth
:I 'll use to carry thee out of this place.

WINCHESTER.
:Do what thou darest; I beard thee to thy face.

GLOUCESTER.
:What! am I dared and bearded to my face?
:Draw, men, for all this privileged place;
:Blue coats to tawny coats. Priest, beware your beard;
:I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly:
:Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat:
:In spite of pope or dignities of church,
:Here by the cheeks I 'll drag thee up and down.

WINCHESTER.
:Gloucester, thou wilt answer this before the
:pope.

GLOUCESTER.
:Winchester goose, I cry, a rope! a rope!

Now beat them hence; why do you let them stay?
:Thee I 'll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep's array.
:Out, tawny coats! out, scarlet hypocrite!
[Here Gloucester's men beat out the Cardinal's
men, and enter in the hurly-burly the Mayor of
London and his Officers.]

MAYOR.
:Fie, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates,
:Thus contumeliously should break the peace!

GLOUCESTER.
:Peace, mayor! thou know'st little of my wrongs:
:Here's Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king,
:Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use.

WINCHESTER.
:Here's Gloucester, a foe to citizens,
:One that still motions war and never peace,
:O'ercharging your free purses with large fines,
:That seeks to overthrow religion,
:Because he is protector of the realm,
:And would have armour here out of the Tower,
:To crown himself king and suppress the prince.

GLOUCESTER.
:I will not answer thee with words, but blows.
[Here they skirmish again.]

MAYOR.
:Nought rests for me in this tumultuous strife
:But to make open proclamation:
:Come, officer; as loud as e'er thou canst:
:Cry.

OFFICER.
:All manner of men assembled here in arms
:this day against God's peace and the king's, we charge
:and command you, in his highness' name, to repair to
:your several dwelling-places; and not to wear, handle, or
:use any sword, weapon, or dagger, henceforward, upon
:pain of death.

GLOUCESTER.
:Cardinal, I 'll be no breaker of the law;
:But we shall meet, and break our minds at large.

WINCHESTER.
:Gloucester, we will meet; to thy cost, be sure;
:Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work.

MAYOR.
:I 'll call for clubs, if you will not away.
:This Cardinal's more haughty than the devil.

GLOUCESTER.
:Mayor, farewell:  thou dost but what thou mayst.

WINCHESTER.
:Abominable Gloucester, guard thy head;
:For I intend to have it ere long.

[Exeunt, severally, Gloucester and Winchester with their Serving-men.]

MAYOR.
:See the coast clear'd, and then we will depart.
:Good God, these nobles should such stomachs bear!
:I myself fight not once in forty year.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE IV. Orleans. ===

[Enter, on the walls, a Master Gunner and his Boy.]

MASTER GUNNER.
:Sirrah, thou know'st how Orleans is besieged,
:And how the English have the suburbs won.

BOY.
:Father, I know; and oft have shot at them,
:Howe'er unfortunate I miss'd my aim.

MASTER GUNNER.
:But now thou shalt not. Be thou ruled by me:
:Chief master-gunner am I of this town;
:Something I must do to procure me grace.
:The prince's espials have informed me
:How the English, in the suburbs close intrench'd,
:Wont through a secret grate of iron bars
:In yonder tower to overpeer the city,
:And thence discover how with most advantage
:They may vex us with shot or with assault.
:To intercept this inconvenience,
:A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have placed;
:And even these three days have I watch'd,
:If I could see them.
:Now do thou watch, for I can stay no longer.
:If thou spy'st any, run and bring me word;
:And thou shalt find me at the governor's.

[Exit.]

BOY.
:Father, I warrant you; take you no care;
:I'll never trouble you, if I may spy them.

[Exit.]

[Enter, on the turrets, the Lords Salisbury and Talbot, Sir William Glansdale, Sir Thomas Gargrave, and others.]

SALISBURY.
:Talbot, my life, my joy, again return'd!
:How wert thou handled being prisoner?
:Or by what means got'st thou to be releas'd?
:Discourse, I prithee, on this turret's top.

TALBOT.
:The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner
:Call'd the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles;
:For him was I exchanged and ransomed.
:But with a baser man of arms by far
:Once in contempt they would have barter'd me:
:Which I disdaining scorn'd, and craved death
:Rather than I would be so vile-esteem'd.
:In fine, redeem'd I was as I desired.
:But, O! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart,
:Whom with my bare fists I would execute,
:If I now had him brought into my power.

SALISBURY.
:Yet tell'st thou not how thou wert entertain'd.

TALBOT.
:With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts.
:In open market-place produced they me,
:To be a public spectacle to all:
:Here, said they, is the terror of the French,
:The scarecrow that affrights our children so.
:Then broke I from the officers that led me,
:And with my nails digg'd stones out of the ground
:To hurl at the beholders of my shame;
:My grisly countenance made others fly;
:None durst come near for fear of sudden death.
:In iron walls they deem'd me not secure;
:So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread
:That they supposed I could rend bars of steel,
:And spurn in pieces posts of adamant:
:Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had,
:That walk'd about me every minute while;
:And if I did but stir out of my bed,
:Ready they were to shoot me to the heart.

[Enter the Boy with a linstock.]

SALISBURY.
:I grieve to hear what torments you endured,
:But we will be revenged sufficiently.
:Now it is supper-time in Orleans:
:Here, through this grate, I count each one,
:And view the Frenchmen how they fortify:
:Let us look in; the sight will much delight thee.
:Sir Thomas Gargrave and Sir William Glansdale,
:Let me have your express opinions
:Where is best place to make our battery next.

GARGRAVE.
:I think, at the north gate; for there stand lords.

GLANSDALE.
:And I, here, at the bulwark of the bridge.

TALBOT.
:For aught I see, this city must be famish'd,
:Or with light skirmishes enfeebled.

[Here they shoot. Salisbury and Gargrave fall.]

SALISBURY.
:O Lord, have mercy on us, wretched sinners!

GARGRAVE.
:O Lord, have mercy on me, woful man!

TALBOT.
:What chance is this that suddenly hath cross'd us?
:Speak, Salisbury: at least, if thou canst speak:
:How farest thou, mirror of all martial men?
:One of thy eyes and thy cheek's side struck off!
:Accursed tower! accursed fatal hand
:That hath contrived this woful tragedy!
:In thirteen battles Salisbury o'ercame;
:Henry the Fifth he first train'd to the wars;
:Whilst any trump did sound, or drum struck up,
:His sword did ne'er leave striking in the field.
:Yet liv'st thou, Salisbury? though thy speech doth fail,
:One eye thou hast, to look to heaven for grace:
:The sun with one eye vieweth all the world.
:Heaven, be thou gracious to none alive,
:If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands!
:Bear hence his body; I will help to bury it,
:Sir Thomas Gargrave, hast thou any life?
:Speak unto Talbot; nay, look up to him.
:Salisbury, cheer thy spirit with this comfort,
:Thou shalt not die whiles—
:He beckons with his hand and smiles on me,
:As who should say 'When I am dead and gone,
:Remember to avenge me on the French.'
:Plantagenet, I will; and like thee, Nero,
:Play on the lute, beholding the towns burn;
:Wretched shall France be only in thy name.

[Here an alarum, and it thunders and lightens. ]

:What stir is this? what tumult's in the heavens?
:Whence cometh this alarum and the noise?

[Enter a Messenger.]

MESSENGER.
:My lord, my lord, the French have gather'd head:
:The Dauphin, with one Joan la Pucelle join'd,
:A holy prophetess new risen up,
:Is come with a great power to raise the siege.

[Here SALISBURY lifteth himself up and groans.]

TALBOT.
:Hear, hear how dying Salisbury doth groan!
:It irks his heart he cannot be revenged.
:Frenchmen, I 'll be a Salisbury to you:
:Pucelle or puzzel, dolphin or dogfish,
:Your hearts I 'll stamp out with my horse's heels,
:And make a quagmire of your mingled brains.
:Convey me Salisbury into his tent,
:And then we 'll try what these dastard Frenchmen dare.

[Alarum. Exeunt.]

=== SCENE V. The same. ===

[Here an alarum again:  and Talbot pursueth the Dauphin, and driveth him:  then enter Joan La Pucelle, driving Englishmen before her, and exit after them: then re-enter Talbot.]

TALBOT.
:Where is my strength, my valor, and my force?
:Our English troops retire, I cannot stay them:
:A woman clad in armour chaseth them.

[Re-enter La Pucelle.]

:Here, here she comes. I 'll have a bout with thee;
:Devil or devil's dam, I 'll conjure thee:
:Blood will I draw on thee, thou art a witch,
:And straightway give thy soul to him thou servest.

PUCELLE.
:Come, come, 'tis only I that must disgrace thee.

[Here they fight.]

TALBOT.
:Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail?
:My breast I 'll burst with straining of my courage,
:And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder,
:But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet.

[They fight again.]

PUCELLE.
:Talbot, farewell; thy hour is not yet come:
:I must go victual Orleans forthwith.

[A short alarum:  then enter the town with soldiers.]

:O'ertake me, if thou canst; I scorn thy strength.
:Go, go, cheer up thy hungry-starved men;
:Help Salisbury to make his testament:
:This day is ours, as many more shall be.

[Exit.]

TALBOT.
:My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel;
:I know not where I am, nor what I do;
:A witch, by fear, not force, like Hannibal,
:Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists.
:So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench
:Are from their hives and houses driven away.
:They call'd us for our fierceness English dogs;
:Now, like to whelps, we crying run away.

[A short alarum.]

:Hark, countrymen!  either renew the fight,
:Or tear the lions out of England's coat;
:Renounce your soil, give sheep in lions' stead:
:Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf,
:Or horse or oxen from the leopard,
:As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves.

[Alarum. Here another skirmish.]

:It will not be:  retire into your trenches:
:You all consented unto Salisbury's death,
:For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.
:Pucelle is ent'red into Orleans,
:In spite of us or aught that we could do.
:O, would I were to die with Salisbury!
:The shame hereof will make me hide my head.

[Exit Talbot. Alarum; retreat; flourish.]

=== SCENE VI. The Same. ===

[Enter, on the walls, La Pucelle, Charles, Reignier, Alencon, and Soldiers.]

PUCELLE.
:Advance our waving colours on the walls;
:Rescued is Orleans from the English:
:Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word.

CHARLES.
:Divinest creature, Astraea's daughter,
:How shall I honour thee for this success?
:Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens
:That one day bloom'd and fruitful were the next.
:France, triumph in thy glorious prophetess!
:Recover'd is the town of Orleans.
:More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state.

REIGNIER.
:Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town?
:Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires
:And feast and banquet in the open streets,
:To celebrate the joy that God hath given us.

ALENCON.
:All France will be replete with mirth and joy,
:When they shall hear how we have play'd the men.

:CHARLES.
:'Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won;
:For which I will divide my crown with her;
:And all the priests and friars in my realm
:Shall in procession sing her endless praise.
:A statelier pyramis to her I 'll rear
:Than Rhodope's of Memphis ever was;
:In memory of her when she is dead,
:Her ashes, in an urn more precious
:Than the rich-jewel'd coffer of Darius,
:Transported shall be at high festivals
:Before the kings and queens of France.
:No longer on Saint Denis will we cry,
:But Joan la Pucelle shall be France's saint.
:Come in, and let us banquet royally
:After this golden day of victory.

[Flourish. Exeunt.]

== ACT II ==

=== SCENE I. Before Orleans. ===

[Enter a Sergeant of a band, with two Sentinels.]

SERGEANT.
:Sirs, take your places and be vigilant:
:If any noise or soldier you perceive
:Near to the walls, by some apparent sign
:Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.

FIRST SENTINEL.
:Sergeant, you shall. [Exit Sergeant.
:Thus are poor servitors,
:When others sleep upon their quiet beds,
:Constrain'd to watch in darkness, rain and cold.

[Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, and forces, with scaling-ladders, their drums beating a dead march.]

TALBOT.
:Lord Regent, and redoubted Burgundy,
:By whose approach the regions of Artois,
:Wallon and Picardy are friends to us,
:This happy night the Frenchmen are secure,
:Having all day caroused and banqueted:
:Embrace we then this opportunity,
:As fitting best to quittance their deceit
:Contriv'd by art and baleful sorcery.

BEDFORD.
:Coward of France, how much he wrongs his fame,
:Despairing of his own arm's fortitude,
:To join with witches and the help of hell!

BURGUNDY.
:Traitors have never other company.
:But what 's that Pucelle whom they term so pure?

TALBOT.
:A maid, they say.

BEDFORD.
:A maid! and be so martial!

BURGUNDY.
:Pray God she prove not masculine ere long,
:If underneath the standard of the French
:She carry armour as she hath begun.

TALBOT.
:Well, let them practice and converse with spirits:
:God is our fortress, in whose conquering name
:Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks.

BEDFORD.
:Ascend, brave Talbot; we will follow thee.

TALBOT.
:Not all together:  better far, I guess,
:That we do make our entrance several ways;
:That, if it chance the one of us do fail,
:The other yet may rise against their force.

BEDFORD.
:Agreed:  I 'll to yond corner.

BURGUNDY.
:And I to this.

TALBOT.
:And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.
:Now, Salisbury, for thee, and for the right
:Of English Henry, shall this night appear
:How much in duty I am bound to both.

SENTINEL.
:Arm! arm! the enemy doth make assault!

[Cry:  'St George,' 'A Talbot.']

[The French leap over the walls in their shirts. Enter, several ways, the Bastard of Orleans, Alencon, and Reignier, half ready, and half unready.]

ALENCON.
:How now, my lords! what, all unready so?

BASTARD.
:Unready! aye, and glad we 'scap'd so well.

REIGNIER.
:'Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
:Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors.

ALENCON.
:Of all exploits since first I follow'd arms,
:Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprise
:More venturous or desperate than this.

BASTARD.
:I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.

REIGNIER.
:If not of hell, the heavens, sure, favor him.

ALENCON.
:Here cometh Charles:  I marvel how he sped.

BASTARD.
:Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard.

[Enter Charles and La Pucelle.]

CHARLES.
:Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?
:Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal,
:Make us partakers of a little gain,
:That now our loss might be ten times so much?

PUCELLE.
:Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
:At all times will you have my power alike?
:Sleeping or waking must I still prevail,
:Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?
:Improvident soldiers! had your watch been good,
:This sudden mischief never could have fall'n.

CHARLES.
:Duke of Alencon, this was your default,
:That, being captain of the watch to-night,
:Did look no better to that weighty charge.

ALENCON.
:Had all your quarters been as safely kept
:As that whereof I had the government,
:We had not been thus shamefully surprised.

BASTARD.
:Mine was secure.

REIGNIER.
:And so was mine, my lord.

CHARLES.
:And, for myself, most part of all this night,
:Within her quarter and mine own precinct
:I was employ'd in passing to and fro,
:About relieving of the sentinels:
:Then how or which way should they first break in?

PUCELLE.
:Question, my lords, no further of the case,
:How or which way:  'tis sure they found some place
:But weakly guarded, where the breach was made.
:And now there rests no other shift but this;
:To gather our soldiers, scatter'd and dispersed,
:And lay new platforms to endamage them.

[Alarum. Enter an English Soldier, crying 'A Talbot! a Talbot!'  They fly, leaving their clothes behind.]

SOLDIER.
:I 'll be so bold to take what they have left.
:The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword;
:For I have loaden me with many spoils,
:Using no other weapon but his name.

[Exit.]

=== SCENE II. Orleans. Within the town. ===

[Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, a Captain, and others.]

BEDFORD.
:The day begins to break, and night is fled,
:Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth.
:Here sound retreat, and cease our hot pursuit.

[Retreat sounded.]

TALBOT.
:Bring forth the body of old Salisbury,
:And here advance it in the market-place,
:The middle centre of this cursed town.
:Now have I paid my vow unto his soul;
:For every drop of blood was drawn from him
:There hath at least five Frenchmen died to-night.
:And that hereafter ages may behold
:What ruin happen'd in revenge of him,

:Within their chiefest temple I 'll erect
:A tomb, wherein his corpse shall be interr'd;
:Upon the which, that every one may read,
:Shall be engraved the sack of Orleans,
:The treacherous manner of his mournful death
:And what a terror he had been to France.
:But, lords, in all our bloody massacre,
:I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace,
:His new-come champion, virtuous Joan of Arc,
:Nor any of his false confederates.

BEDFORD.
:'Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began,
:Rous'd on the sudden from their drowsy beds,
:They did amongst the troops of armed men
:Leap o'er the walls for refuge in the field.

BURGUNDY.
:Myself, as far as I could well discern
:For smoke and dusky vapors of the night,
:Am sure I scared the Dauphin and his trull,
:When arm in arm they both came swiftly running,
:Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves
:That could not live asunder day or night.
:After that things are set in order here,
:We'll follow them with all the power we have.

[Enter a Messenger.]

MESSENGER.
:All hail, my lords! Which of this princely train
:Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts
:So much applauded through the realm of France?

TALBOT.
:Here is the Talbot:  who would speak with him?

MESSENGER.
:The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne,
:With modesty admiring thy renown,
:By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe
:To visit her poor castle where she lies,
:That she may boast she hath beheld the man
:Whose glory fills the world with loud report.

BURGUNDY.
:Is it even so? Nay, then I see our wars
:Will turn into a peaceful comic sport,
:When ladies crave to be encount'red with.
:You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit.

TALBOT.
:Ne'er trust me then; for when a world of men
:Could not prevail with all their oratory,
:Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled:
:And therefore tell her I return great thanks,
:And in submission will attend on her.
:Will not your honors bear me company?

BEDFORD.
:No, truly; it is more than manners will:
:And I have heard it said, unbidden guests
:Are often welcomest when they are gone.

TALBOT.
:Well then, alone, since there 's no remedy,
:I mean to prove this lady's courtesy.
:Come hither, Captain. [Whispers] You perceive my mind?

CAPTAIN.
:I do, my lord, and mean accordingly.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE III. Auvergne. The Countess's castle. ===

[Enter the Countess and her Porter.]

COUNTESS.
:Porter, remember what I gave in charge;
:And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.

PORTER.
:Madam, I will.

[Exit.]

COUNTESS.
:The plot is laid:  if all things fall out right,
:I shall as famous be by this exploit
:As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death.
:Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,
:And his achievements of no less account:
:Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears,
:To give their censure of these rare reports.

[Enter Messenger and Talbot.]

MESSENGER.
:Madam,
:according as your ladyship desired,
:By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.

COUNTESS.
:And he is welcome. What! is this the man?

:MESSENGER.
:Madam, it is.

COUNTESS.
:Is this the scourge of France?
:Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad
:That with his name the mothers still their babes?
:I see report is fabulous and false:
:I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
:A second Hector, for his grim aspect,
:And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
:Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
:It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
:Should strike such terror to his enemies.

TALBOT.
:Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;
:But since your ladyship is not at leisure,
:I 'll sort some other time to visit you.

COUNTESS.
:What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.

MESSENGER.
:Stay, my Lord Talbot; for my lady craves
:To know the cause of your abrupt departure.

TALBOT.
:Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief,
:I go to certify her Talbot's here.

[Re-enter Porter with keys.]

COUNTESS.
:If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.

TALBOT.
:Prisoner! to whom?

COUNTESS.
:To me, blood-thirsty lord;
:And for that cause I train'd thee to my house.
:Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
:For in my gallery thy picture hangs:
:But now the substance shall endure the like,
:And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
:That hast by tyranny these many years
:Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
:And sent our sons and husbands captivate.

TALBOT.
:Ha, ha, ha!

COUNTESS.
:Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.

TALBOT.
:I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
:To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow
:Whereon to practice your severity.

COUNTESS.
:Why, art not thou the man?

TALBOT.
:I am indeed.

COUNTESS.
:Then have I substance too.

TALBOT.
:No, no, I am but shadow of myself:
:You are deceived, my substance is not here;
:For what you see is but the smallest part
:And least proportion of humanity:
:I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
:It is of such a spacious lofty pitch,
:Your roof were not sufficient to contain 't.

COUNTESS.
:This is a riddling merchant for the nonce;
:He will be here, and yet he is not here:
:How can these contrarieties agree?

TALBOT.
:That will I show you presently.

[Winds his horn. Drums strike up: a peal of ordnance. Enter Soldiers.]

How say you, madam? are you now persuaded
:That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
:These are his substance, sinews, arms and strength,
:With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
:Razeth your cities and subverts your towns,
:And in a moment makes them desolate.

COUNTESS.
:Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse:
:I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
:And more than may be gather'd by thy shape.
:Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath;
:For I am sorry that with reverence
:I did not entertain thee as thou art.

TALBOT.
:Be not dismay'd, fair lady; nor misconstrue
:The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake
:The outward composition of his body.
:What you have done hath not offended me;
:Nor other satisfaction do I crave,
:But only, with your patience, that we may
:Taste of your wine and see what cates you have;
:For soldiers' stomachs always serve them well.

COUNTESS.
:With all my heart, and think me honored
:To feast so great a warrior in my house.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE IV. London. The Temple-garden. ===

[Enter the Earls of Somerset, Suffolk, and Warwick; Richard Plantagenet, Vernon, and another Lawyer.]

PLANTAGENET.
:Great lords and gentlemen,
:what means this silence?
:Dare no man answer in a case of truth?

SUFFOLK.
:Within the Temple-hall we were too loud;
:The garden here is more convenient.

PLANTAGENET.
:Then say at once if I maintain'd the truth;
:Or else was wrangling Somerset in the error?

SUFFOLK.
:Faith, I have been a truant in the law,
:And never yet could frame my will to it;
:And therefore frame the law unto my will.

SOMERSET.
:Judge you, my Lord of Warwick, then, between us.

WARWICK.
:Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch;
:Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth;
:Between two blades, which bears the better temper:
:Between two horses, which doth bear him best;
:Between two girls, which hath the merriest eye;
:I have perhaps some shallow spirit of judgment:
:But in these nice sharp quillets of the law,
:Good faith, I am no wiser than a daw.

PLANTAGENET.
:Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance:
:The truth appears so naked on my side
:That any purblind eye may find it out.

SOMERSET.
:And on my side it is so well apparell'd,
:So clear, so shining and so evident,
:That it will glimmer through a blind man's eye.

PLANTAGENET.
:Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak,
:In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts:
:Let him that is a true-born gentleman
:And stands upon the honor of his birth,
:If he suppose that I have pleaded truth,
:From off this brier pluck a white rose with me.

SOMERSET.
:Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer,
:But dare maintain the party of the truth,
:Pluck a red rose from off this thorn with me.

WARWICK.
:I love no colours, and without all colour
:Of base insinuating flattery
:I pluck this white rose with Plantagenet.

SUFFOLK.
:I pluck this red rose with young Somerset,
:And say withal I think he held the right.

VERNON.
:Stay, lords and gentlemen, and pluck no more,
:Till you conclude that he, upon whose side
:The fewest roses are cropp'd from the tree
:Shall yield the other in the right opinion.

SOMERSET.
:Good Master Vernon, it is well objected:
:If I have fewest, I subscribe in silence.

PLANTAGENET.
:And I.

VERNON.
:Then for the truth and plainness of the case,
:I pluck this pale and maiden blossom here,
:Giving my verdict on the white rose side.

SOMERSET.
:Prick not your finger as you pluck it off,
:Lest bleeding, you do paint the white rose red,
:And fall on my side so, against your will.

VERNON.
:If I, my lord, for my opinion bleed,
:Opinion shall be surgeon to my hurt
:And keep me on the side where still I am.

SOMERSET.
:Well, well, come on:  who else?

LAWYER.
:Unless my study and my books be false,
:The argument you held was wrong in you;

[To Somerset.]

:In sign whereof I pluck a white rose too.

PLANTAGENET.
:Now, Somerset, where is your argument?

SOMERSET.
:Here in my scabbard, meditating that
:Shall dye your white rose in a bloody red.

PLANTAGENET.
:Meantime your cheeks do counterfeit our roses;
:For pale they look with fear, as witnessing
:The truth on our side.

SOMERSET.
:No, Plantagenet,
:'Tis not for fear but anger that thy cheeks
:Blush for pure shame to counterfeit our roses,
:And yet thy tongue will not confess thy error.

PLANTAGENET.
:Hath not thy rose a canker, Somerset?

SOMERSET.
:Hath not thy rose a thorn, Plantagenet?

PLANTAGENET.
:Ay, sharp and piercing, to maintain his truth;
:Whiles thy consuming canker eats his falsehood.

SOMERSET. Well, I 'll find friends to wear my bleeding roses,
:That shall maintain what I have said is true,
:Where false Plantagenet dare not be seen.

PLANTAGENET.
:Now, by this maiden blossom in my hand,
:I scorn thee and thy fashion, peevish boy.

SUFFOLK.
:Turn not thy scorns this way, Plantagenet.

PLANTAGENET.
:Proud Pole, I will, and scorn both him and thee.

SUFFOLK.
:I'll turn my part thereof into thy throat.

SOMERSET.
:Away, away, good William de la Pole!
:We grace the yeoman by conversing with him.

WARWICK.
:Now, by God's will, thou wrong'st him, Somerset;
:His grandfather was Lionel Duke of Clarence,
:Third son to the third Edward King of England:
:Spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root?

PLANTAGENET.
:He bears him on the place's privilege,
:Or durst not, for his craven heart, say thus.

SOMERSET.
:By Him that made me, I'll maintain my words
:On any plot of ground in Christendom.
:Was not thy father, Richard Earl of Cambridge,
:For treason executed in our late king's days?
:And, by his treason, stand'st not thou attainted,
:Corrupted, and exempt from ancient gentry?
:His trespass yet lives guilty in thy blood;
:And, till thou be restored, thou art a yeoman.

PLANTAGENET.
:My father was attached, not attainted,
:Condemn'd to die for treason, but no traitor;
:And that I'll prove on better men than Somerset,
:Were growing time once ripen'd to my will.
:For your partaker Pole and you yourself,
:I'll note you in my book of memory,
:To scourge you for this apprehension:
:Look to it well and say you are well warn'd.

SOMERSET.
:Ay, thou shalt find us ready for thee still;
:And know us by these colors for thy foes,
:For these my friends in spite of thee shall wear.

PLANTAGENET.
:And, by my soul, this pale and angry rose,
:As cognizance of my blood-drinking hate,
:Will I for ever and my faction wear,
:Until it wither with me to my grave,
:Or flourish to the height of my degree.

SUFFOLK.
:Go forward, and be chok'd with thy ambition!
:And so farewell until I meet thee next.

[Exit.]

SOMERSET.
:Have with thee, Pole. Farewell, ambitious Richard.

[Exit.]

PLANTAGENET.
:How I am braved and must perforce endure it!

WARWICK.
:This blot that they object against your house
:Shall be wiped out in the next parliament
:Call'd for the truce of Winchester and Gloucester;
:And if thou be not then created York,
:I will not live to be accounted Warwick.
:Meantime, in signal of my love to thee,
:Against proud Somerset and William Pole,
:Will I upon thy party wear this rose:
:And here I prophesy:  this brawl to-day,
:Grown to this faction in the Temple-garden,
:Shall send between the red rose and the white
:A thousand souls to death and deadly night.

PLANTAGENET.
:Good Master Vernon, I am bound to you,
:That you on my behalf would pluck a flower.

VERNON.
:In your behalf still will I wear the same.

LAWYER.
:And so will I.

PLANTAGENET.
:Thanks, gentle sir.
:Come, let us four to dinner:  I dare say
:This quarrel will drink blood another day.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE V. The Tower of London. ===

[Enter Mortimer, brought in a chair, and Jailers.]

MORTIMER.
:Kind keepers of my weak decaying age,
:Let dying Mortimer here rest himself.
:Even like a man new haled from the rack,
:So fare my limbs with long imprisonment;
:And these gray locks, the pursuivants of death,
:Nestor-like aged in an age of care,
:Argue the end of Edmund Mortimer.
:These eyes, like lamps whose wasting oil is spent,
:Wax dim, as drawing to their exigent;
:Weak shoulders, overborne with burdening grief,
:And pithless arms, like to a wither'd vine
:That droops his sapless branches to the ground:
:Yet are these feet, whose strengthless stay is numb,
:Unable to support this lump of clay,
:Swift-winged with desire to get a grave,
:As witting I no other comfort have.
:But tell me, keeper, will my nephew come?

FIRST JAILER.
:Richard Plantagenet, my lord, will come:
:We sent unto the Temple, unto his chamber;
:And answer was return'd that he will come.

MORTIMER.
:Enough:  my soul shall then be satisfied.
:Poor gentleman! his wrong doth equal mine.
:Since Henry Monmouth first began to reign,
:Before whose glory I was great in arms,
:This loathsome sequestration have I had;
:And even since then hath Richard been obscured,
:Deprived of honour and inheritance.
:But now the arbitrator of despairs,
:Just Death, kind umpire of men's miseries,
:With sweet enlargement doth dismiss me hence:
:I would his troubles likewise were expired,
:That so he might recover what was lost.

[Enter Richard Plantagenet.]

FIRST JAILER.
:My lord, your loving nephew now is come.

MORTIMER.
:Richard Plantagenet, my friend, is he come?

PLANTAGENET.
:Aye, noble uncle, thus ignobly used,
:Your nephew, late despised Richard, comes.

MORTIMER.
:Direct mine arms I may embrace his neck,
:And in his bosom spend my latter gasp:
:O, tell me when my lips do touch his cheeks,
:That I may kindly give one fainting kiss.
:And now declare, sweet stem from York's great stock,
:Why didst thou say of late thou wert despised?

PLANTAGENET.
:First, lean thine aged back against mine arm;
:And, in that case, I'll tell thee my disease.
:This day, in argument upon a case,
:Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me;
:Among which terms he used his lavish tongue
:And did upbraid me with my father's death:
:Which obloquy set bars before my tongue,
:Else with the like I had requited him.
:Therefore, good uncle, for my father's sake,
:In honor of a true Plantagenet
:And for alliance sake, declare the cause
:My father, Earl of Cambridge, lost his head.

MORTIMER.
:That cause, fair nephew, that imprison'd me
:And hath detain'd me all my flowering youth
:Within a loathsome dungeon, there to pine,
:Was cursed instrument of his decease.

PLANTAGENET.
:Discover more at large what cause that was,
:For I am ignorant and cannot guess.

MORTIMER.
:I will, if that my fading breath permit,
:And death approach not ere my tale be done.
:Henry the Fourth, grandfather to this king,
:Deposed 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,
:Endeavour'd my advancement to the throne.
:The reason moved these warlike lords to this
:Was, for that—young King Richard thus removed,
: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 Bolingbroke, did reign,
:Thy father, Earl of Cambridge, then derived
: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.

PLANTAGENET.
:Of which, my lord, your honor is the last.

MORTIMER.
: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.

PLANTAGENET.
:Thy grave admonishments prevail with me:
:But yet, methinks, my father's execution
:Was nothing less than bloody tyranny.

MORTIMER.
:With silence, nephew, be thou politic:
:Strong-fixed is the house of Lancaster,
:And like a mountain not to be removed.
:But now thy uncle is removing hence;
:As princes do their courts, when they are cloy'd
:With long continuance in a settled place.

PLANTAGENET.
:O, uncle, would some part of my young years
:Might but redeem the passage of your age!

MORTIMER.
:Thou dost then wrong me, as that slaughterer doth
:Which giveth many wounds when one will kill.
:Mourn not, except thou sorrow for my good;
:Only give order for my funeral:
:And so farewell, and fair be all thy hopes,
:And prosperous be thy life in peace and war!

[Dies.]

PLANTAGENET.
:And peace, no war, befall thy parting soul!
:In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage,
:And like a hermit overpass'd thy days.
:Well, I will lock his counsel in my breast;
:And what I do imagine let that rest.
:Keepers, convey him hence; and I myself
:Will see his burial better than his life.

[Exeunt Jailers, bearing out the body of Mortimer.]

:Here dies the dusky torch of Mortimer,
:Choked with ambition of the meaner sort:
:And for those wrongs, those bitter injuries,
:Which Somerset hath offer'd to my house,
:I doubt not but with honour to redress;
:And therefore haste I to the parliament,
:Either to be restored to my blood,
:Or make my ill the advantage of my good.

[Exit.]

== ACT III ==

=== SCENE I. London. The Parliament-house. ===

[Flourish. Enter King, Exeter, Gloucester, Warwick, Somerset, and Suffolk; the Bishop of Winchester, Richard Plantagenet, and others. Gloucester offers to put up a bill; Winchester snatches it, tears it.]

WINCHESTER.
:Comest thou with deep premeditated lines,
:With written pamphlets studiously devised,
:Humphrey of Gloucester?  If thou canst accuse,
:Or aught intend'st to lay unto my charge.
:Do it without invention, suddenly;
:As I with sudden and extemporal speech
:Purpose to answer what thou canst object.

GLOUCESTER.
:Presumptuous priest! this place commands my patience,
:Or thou shouldst find thou hast dishonor'd me.
:Think not, although in writing I preferr'd
:The manner of thy vile outrageous crimes,
:That therefore I have forged, or am not able
:Verbatim to rehearse the method of my pen:
:No, prelate; such is thy audacious wickedness,
:Thy lewd, pestiferous and dissentious pranks,
:As very infants prattle of thy pride.
:Thou art a most pernicious usurer,
:Froward by nature, enemy to peace;
:Lascivious, wanton, more than well beseems
:A man of thy profession and degree;
:And for thy treachery, what's more manifest
:In that thou laid'st a trap to take my life,
:As well at London-bridge as at the Tower.
:Beside, I fear me, if thy thoughts are sifted
:The king, thy sovereign, is not quite exempt
:From envious malice of thy swelling heart.

WINCHESTER.
:Gloucester, I do defy thee. Lords, vouchsafe
:To give me hearing what I shall reply.
:If I were covetous, ambitious, or perverse,
:As he will have me, how am I so poor?
:Or how haps it I seek not to advance
:Or raise myself, but keep my wonted calling?
:And for dissension, who preferreth peace
:More than I do?—except I be provoked.
:No, my good lords, it is not that offends;
:It is not that that hath incensed the duke:
:It is, because no one should sway but he;
:No one but he should be about the king;
:And that engenders thunder in his breast,
:And makes him roar these accusations forth.
:But he shall know I am as good—

GLOUCESTER.
:As good!
:Thou bastard of my grandfather!

WINCHESTER.
:Aye, lordly sir; for what are you, I pray,
:But one imperious in another's throne?

GLOUCESTER.
:Am I not protector, saucy priest?

WINCHESTER.
:And am not I a prelate of the church?

GLOUCESTER.
:Yes, as an outlaw in a castle keeps
:And useth it to patronage his theft.

WINCHESTER.
:Unreverent Gloster!

GLOUCESTER.
:Thou art reverent
:Touching thy spiritual function, not thy life.

WINCHESTER.
:Rome shall remedy this.

WARWICK.
:Roam thither, then.

SOMERSET.
:My lord, it were your duty to forbear.

WARWICK.
:Ay, see the bishop be not overborne.

SOMERSET.
:Methinks my lord should be religious,
:And know the office that belongs to such.

WARWICK.
:Methinks his lordship should be humbler;
:It fitteth not a prelate so to plead.

SOMERSET.
:Yes, when his holy state is touch'd so near.

WARWICK.
:State holy or unhallow'd, what of that?
:Is not his grace protector to the king?

PLANTAGENET.
:[Aside] Plantagenet, I see, must hold his tongue,
:Lest it be said, 'Speak, sirrah, when you should:
:Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords?'
:Else would I have a fling at Winchester.

KING.
:Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester,
:The special watchmen of our English weal,
:I would prevail, if prayers might prevail,
:To join your hearts in love and amity.
:O, what a scandal is it to our crown,
:That two such noble peers as ye should jar!
:Believe me, lords, my tender years can tell
:Civil dissension is a viperous worm
:That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth.
:[A noise within, 'Down with the tawny-coats!'
:What tumult's this?

WARWICK.
:An uproar, I dare warrant,
:Begun through malice of the bishop's men.

[A noise again, 'Stones! stones!' Enter Mayor.]

MAYOR.
:O, my good lords, and virtuous Henry,
:Pity the city of London, pity us!
:The bishop and the Duke of Gloucester's men,
:Forbidden late to carry any weapon,
:Have fill'd their pockets full of pebble stones,
:And banding themselves in contrary parts
:Do pelt so fast at one another's pate
:That many have their giddy brains knock'd out:
:Our windows are broke down in every street,
:And we for fear compell'd to shut our shops.

[Enter Serving-men, in skirmish, with bloody pates.]

KING.
:We charge you, on allegiance to ourself,
:To hold your slaughtering hands and keep the peace.
:Pray, uncle Gloucester, mitigate this strife.

FIRST SERVING-MAN.
:Nay, if we be forbidden stones,
:we 'll fall to it with our teeth.

SECOND SERVING-MAN.
:Do what ye dare, we are as resolute.

[Skirmish again.]

GLOUCESTER.
:You of my household, leave this peevish broil
:And set this unaccustom'd fight aside.

THIRD SERVING-MAN.
:My lord, we know your grace to be a man
:Just and upright; and, for your royal birth,
:Inferior to none but to his Majesty:
:And ere that we will suffer such a prince,
:So kind a father of the commonweal,
:To be disgraced by an inkhorn mate,
:We and our wives and children all will fight,
:And have our bodies slaughter'd by thy foes.

FIRST SERVING-MAN.
:Aye, and the very parings of our nails
:Shall pitch a field when we are dead.

[Begin again.]

GLOUCESTER.
:Stay, stay, I say!
:And if you love me, as you say you do,
:Let me persuade you to forbear awhile.

KING.
:O, how this discord doth afflict my soul!
:Can you, my Lord of Winchester, behold
:My sighs and tears and will not once relent?
:Who should be pitiful, if you be not?
:Or who should study to prefer a peace,
:If holy churchmen take delight in broils?

WARWICK.
:Yield, my lord protector; yield, Winchester;
:Except you mean with obstinate repulse
:To slay your sovereign and destroy the realm.
:You see what mischief and what murder too
:Hath been enacted through your enmity;
:Then be at peace, except ye thirst for blood.

WINCHESTER.
:He shall submit, or I will never yield.

GLOUCESTER.
:Compassion on the king commands me stoop;
:Or I would see his heart out, ere the priest
:Should ever get that privilege of me.

WARWICK.
:Behold, my Lord of Winchester, the duke
:Hath banish'd moody discontented fury,
:As by his smoothed brows it doth appear:
:Why look you still so stem and tragical?

GLOUCESTER.
:Here, Winchester, I offer thee my hand.

KING.
:Fie, uncle Beaufort! I have heard you preach
:That malice was a great and grievous sin;
:And will not you maintain the thing you teach,
:But prove a chief offender in the same?

WARWICK.
:Sweet king! the bishop hath a kindly gird.
:For shame, my lord of Winchester, relent!
:What, shall a child instruct you what to do?

WINCHESTER.
:Well, Duke of Gloucester, I will yield to thee;
:Love for thy love and hand for hand I give.

GLOUCESTER.
:[Aside] Aye, but, I fear me, with a hollow heart.—
:See here, my friends and loving countrymen;
:This token serveth for a flag of truce
:Betwixt ourselves and all our followers:
:So help me God, as I dissemble not!

WINCHESTER.
:[Aside] So help me God, as I intend it not!

KING.
:O loving uncle, kind Duke of Gloucester,
:How joyful am I made by this contract!
:Away, my masters! trouble us no more;
:But join in friendship, as your lords have done.

FIRST SERVING-MAN.
:Content:  I'll to the surgeon's.

SECOND SERVING-MAN.
:And so will I.

THIRD SERVING-MAN.
:And I will see what physic the tavern affords.

[Exeunt Serving-men, Mayor, &C.]

WARWICK.
:Accept this scroll, most gracious sovereign;
:Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet.
:We do exhibit to your majesty.

GLOUCESTER.
:Well urged, my Lord of Warwick: for, sweet prince,
:An if your Grace mark every circumstance,
:You have great reason to do Richard right:
:Especially for those occasions
:At Eltham place I told your majesty.

KING.
:And those occasions, uncle, were of force;
:Therefore, my loving lords, our pleasure is
:That Richard be restored to his blood.

WARWICK.
:Let Richard be restored to his blood;
:So shall his father's wrongs be recompensed.

WINCHESTER.
:As will the rest, so willeth Winchester.

KING.
:If Richard will be true, not that alone
:But all the whole inheritance I give
:That doth belong unto the house of York,
:From whence you spring by lineal descent.

PLANTAGENET.
:Thy humble servant vows obedience
:And humble service till the point of death.

KING.
:Stoop then and set your knee against my foot;
:And, in reguerdon of that duty done,
:I girt thee with the valiant sword of York:
:Rise, Richard, like a true Plantagenet,
:And rise created princely Duke of York.

PLANTAGENET.
:And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall!
:And as my duty springs, so perish they
:That grudge one thought against your majesty!

ALL.
:Welcome, high prince, the mighty Duke of York!

SOMERSET.
:[Aside] Perish, base prince, ignoble Duke of York!

GLOUCESTER.
:Now will it best avail your majesty
:To cross the seas and to be crown'd in France:
:The presence of a king engenders love
:Amongst his subjects and his loyal friends,
:As it disanimates his enemies.

KING.
:When Gloucester says the word, King Henry goes;
:For friendly counsel cuts off many foes.

GLOUCESTER.
:Your ships already are in readiness.

[Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Exeter.]

EXETER.
:Aye, we may march in England or in France,
:Not seeing what is likely to ensue.
:This late dissension grown betwixt the peers
:Burns under feigned ashes of forged love,
:And will at last break out into a flame;
:As fest'red members rot but by degree,
:Till bones and flesh and sinews fall away,
:So will this base and envious discord breed.
:And now I fear that fatal prophecy
:Which in the time of Henry named the fifth
:Was in the mouth of every sucking babe;
:That Henry born at Monmouth should win all
:And Henry born at Windsor lose all:
:Which is so plain, that Exeter doth wish
:His days may finish ere that hapless time.

[Exit.]

=== SCENE II. France. Before Rouen.===

[Enter La Pucelle disguised, with four Soldiers with sacks upon their backs.]

PUCELLE.
:These are the city gates, the gates of Rouen,
:Through which our policy must make a breach:
:Take heed, be wary how you place your words;
:Talk like the vulgar sort of market men
:That come to gather money for their corn.
:If we have entrance, as I hope we shall,
:And that we find the slothful watch but weak,
:I 'll by a sign give notice to our friends,
:That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them.

FIRST SOLDIER.
:Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city,
:And we be lords and rulers over Rouen;
:Therefore we 'll knock. [Knocks.]

WATCH.
:[Within] Qui est la?

PUCELLE.
:Paysans, pauvres gens de France;
:Poor market folks that come to sell their corn.

WATCH.
:Enter, go in; the market bell is rung.

PUCELLE.
:Now, Rouen, I 'll shake thy bulwarks to the ground.

[Exeunt.]

[Enter Charles, the Bastard of Orleans, Alencon, Reignier, and forces.]

CHARLES.
:Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem!
:And once again we 'll sleep secure in Rouen.

BASTARD.
:Here enter'd Pucelle and her practisants;
:Now she is there, how will she specify
:Here is the best and safest passage in?

REIGNIER.
:By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower;
:Which, once discern'd, shows that her meaning is,
:No way to that, for weakness, which she enter'd.

[Enter La Pucelle, on the top, thrusting out a torch burning.]

PUCELLE.
:Behold, this is the happy wedding torch
:That joineth Rouen unto her countrymen,
:But burning fatal to the Talbotites!

[Exit.]

BASTARD.
:See, noble Charles, the beacon of our friend;
:The burning torch in yonder turret stands.

CHARLES.
:Now shine it like a comet of revenge,
:A prophet to the fall of all our foes!

REIGNIER.
:Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends;
:Enter, and cry, 'The Dauphin!' presently,
:And then do execution on the watch.

[Alarum. Exeunt.]

[An alarum. Enter Talbot in an excursion.]

TALBOT.
:France, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears,
:If Talbot but survive thy treachery.
:Pucelle, that witch, that damned sorceress,
:Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares,
:That hardly we escaped the pride of France.

[Exit.]

[An alarum:  excursions.]
[Bedford, brought in sick in a chair. Enter Talbot and Burgundy without: within La Pucelle, Charles, Bastard, Alencon, and Reignier, on the walls.]

PUCELLE.
:Good morrow, gallants! want ye corn for bread?
:I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast
:Before he 'll buy again at such a rate:
:'Twas full of darnel:  do you like the taste?

BURGUNDY.
:Scoff on, vile fiend and shameless courtezan!
:I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own,
:And make thee curse the harvest of that corn.

CHARLES.
:Your Grace may starve perhaps before that time.

BEDFORD.
:O, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason!

PUCELLE.
:What will you do, good graybeard? break a lance,
:And run a tilt at death within a chair?

TALBOT.
:Foul fiend of France, and hag of all despite,
:Encompass'd with thy lustful paramours!
:Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age,
:And twit with cowardice a man half dead?
:Damsel, I 'll have a bout with you again,
:Or else let Talbot perish with this shame.

PUCELLE.
:Are ye so hot? yet, Pucelle, hold thy peace;
:If Talbot do but thunder, rain will follow.

[The English party whisper together in council. ]

:God speed the parliament! who shall be the speaker?

TALBOT.
:Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field?

PUCELLE.
:Belike your lordship takes us then for fools,
:To try if that our own be ours or no.

TALBOT.
:I speak not to that railing Hecate,
:But unto thee, Alencon, and the rest;
:Will ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out?

ALENCON.
:Signior, no.

TALBOT.
:Signior, hang! base muleters of France!
:Like peasant foot-boys do they keep the walls,
:And dare not take up arms like gentlemen.

PUCELLE.
:Away, captains! let 's get us from the walls;
:For Talbot means no goodness by his looks.
:God be wi' you, my lord! we came but to tell you
:That we are here.

[Exeunt from the walls.]

TALBOT.
:And there will we be too, ere it be long,
:Or else reproach be Talbot's greatest fame!
:Vow, Burgundy, by honor of thy house,
:Prick'd on by public wrongs sustain'd in France,
:Either to get the town again or die:
:And I, as sure as English Henry lives,
:And as his father here was conqueror,
:As sure as in this late-betrayed town
:Great Coeur-de-lion's heart was buried,
:So sure I swear to get the town or die.

BURGUNDY.
:My vows are equal partners with thy vows.

TALBOT.
:But, ere we go, regard this dying prince,
:The valiant Duke of Bedford. Come, my lord,
:We will bestow you in some better place,
:Fitter for sickness and for crazy age.

BEDFORD.
:Lord Talbot, do not so dishonor me:
:Here will I sit before the walls of Rouen,
:And will be partner of your weal or woe.

BURGUNDY.
:Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you.

BEDFORD.
:Not to be gone from hence; for once I read
:That stout Pendragon in his litter sick
:Came to the field and vanquished his foes.
:Methinks I should revive the soldiers' hearts,
:Because I ever found them as myself.

TALBOT.
:Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!
:Then be it so:  heavens keep old Bedford safe!
:And now no more ado, brave Burgundy,
:But gather we our forces out of hand
:And set upon our boasting enemy.

[Exeunt all but Bedford and Attendants.]

[An alarum:  excursions. Enter Sir John Fastolfe and a Captain.]

CAPTAIN.
:Whither away, Sir John Fastolfe, in such haste?

FASTOLFE.
:Whither away! to save myself by flight:
:We are like to have the overthrow again.

CAPTAIN.
:What! Will you fly, and leave Lord Talbot?

FASTOLFE.
:Aye,
:All the Talbots in the world, to save my life.

[Exit.]

CAPTAIN.
:Cowardly knight! ill fortune follow thee!

[Exit.]

[Retreat:  excursions. La Pucelle, Alencon, and Charles fly.]

BEDFORD.
:Now, quiet soul, depart when heaven please,
:For I have seen our enemies' overthrow.
:What is the trust or strength of foolish man?
:They that of late were daring with their scoffs
:Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves.

[Bedford dies, and is carried in by two in his chair.]

[An alarum. Re-enter Talbot, Burgundy, and the rest.]

TALBOT.
:Lost, and recover'd in a day again!
:This is a double honor, Burgundy:
:Yet heavens have glory for this victory!

BURGUNDY.
:Warlike and martial Talbot, Burgundy
:Enshrines thee in his heart, and there erects
:Thy noble deeds as valor's monuments.

TALBOT.
:Thanks, gentle duke. But where is Pucelle now?
:I think her old familiar is asleep:
:Now where 's the Bastard's braves, and Charles his gleeks?
:What, all amort? Rouen hangs her head for grief
:That such a valiant company are fled.
:Now will we take some order in the town,
:Placing therein some expert officers;
:And then depart to Paris to the king,
:For there young Henry with his nobles lie.

BURGUNDY.
:What Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy.

TALBOT.
:But yet, before we go, let 's not forget
:The noble Duke of Bedford late deceased,
:But see his exequies fulfill'd in Rouen:
:A braver soldier never couched lance,
:A gentler heart did never sway in court;
:But kings and mightiest potentates must die,
:For that's the end of human misery.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE III. The plains near Rouen. ===

[Enter Charles, the Bastard of Orleans, Alencon, La Pucelle, and forces.]

PUCELLE.
:Dismay not, princes, at this accident,
:Nor grieve that Rouen is so recovered:
:Care is no cure, but rather corrosive,
:For things that are not to be remedied.
:Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while
:And like a peacock sweep along his tail;
:We 'll pull his plumes and take away his train,
:If Dauphin and the rest will be but ruled.

CHARLES.
:We have been guided by thee hitherto,
:And of thy cunning had no diffidence:
:One sudden foil shall never breed distrust

BASTARD.
:Search out thy wit for secret policies,
:And we will make thee famous through the world.

ALENCON.
:We'll set thy statue in some holy place,
:And have thee reverenced like a blessed saint.
:Employ thee then, sweet virgin, for our good.

PUCELLE.
:Then thus it must be; this doth Joan devise:
:By fair persuasions mix'd with sugar'd words
:We will entice the Duke of Burgundy
:To leave the Talbot and to follow us.

CHARLES.
:Aye, marry, sweeting, if we could do that,
:France were no place for Henry's warriors;
:Nor should that nation boast it so with us,
:But be extirped from our provinces.

ALENCON.
:For ever should they be expulsed from France,
:And not have tide of an earldom here.

PUCELLE.
:Your honours shall perceive how I will work
:To bring this matter to the wished end.

[Drum sounds afar off.]

Hark! by the sound of drum you may perceive
:Their powers are marching unto Paris-ward.
:Here sound an English march. Enter, and pass over
:at a distance, Talbot and his forces.
:There goes the Talbot, with his colors spread,
:And all the troops of English after him.

[French march. Enter the Duke of Burgundy and forces.]

:Now in the rearward comes the duke and his:
:Fortune in favor makes him lag behind.
:Summon a parley; we will talk with him.

[Trumpets sound a parley.]

CHARLES.
:A parley with the Duke of Burgundy!

BURGUNDY.
:Who craves a parley with the Burgundy?

PUCELLE.
:The princely Charles of France, thy countryman.

BURGUNDY.
:What say'st thou, Charles? for I am marching
:hence.

CHARLES.
:Speak, Pucelle, and enchant him with thy words.

PUCELLE.
:Brave Burgundy, undoubted hope of France!
:Stay, let thy humble handmaid speak to thee.

BURGUNDY.
:Speak on; but be not over-tedious.

PUCELLE.
:Look on thy country, look on fertile France,
:And see the cities and the towns defaced
:By wasting ruin of the cruel foe.
:As looks the mother on her lowly babe
:When death doth close his tender dying eyes,
:See, see the pining malady of France;
:Behold the wounds, the most unnatural wounds,
:Which thou thyself hast given her woful breast.
:O, turn thy edged sword another way;
:Strike those that hurt, and hurt not those that help.
:One drop of blood drawn from thy country's bosom
:Should grieve thee more than streams of foreign gore:
:Return thee therefore with a flood of tears,
:And wash away thy country's stained spots.

BURGUNDY.
:Either she hath bewitch'd me with her words,
:Or nature makes me suddenly relent.

PUCELLE.
:Besides, all French and France exclaims on thee,
:Doubting thy birth and lawful progeny.
:Who join'st thou with but with a lordly nation
:That will not trust thee but for profit's sake?
:When Talbot hath set footing once in France,
:And fashion'd thee that instrument of ill,
:Who then but English Henry will be lord,
:And thou be thrust out like a fugitive?
:Call we to mind, and mark but this for proof,
:Was not the Duke of Orleans thy foe?
:And was he not in England prisoner?
:But when they heard he was thine enemy,
:They set him free without his ransom paid,
:In spite of Burgundy and all his friends.
:See, then, thou fight'st against thy countrymen
:And join'st with them will be thy slaughtermen.
:Come, come, return; return, thou wandering lord;
:Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms.

BURGUNDY.
:I am vanquished; these haughty words of hers
:Have batt'red me like roaring cannon-shot,
:And made me almost yield upon my knees.
:Forgive me, country, and sweet countrymen,
:And, lords, accept this hearty kind embrace:
:My forces and my power of men are yours:
:So, farewell, Talbot; I 'll no longer trust thee.

PUCELLE.
:[Aside] Done like a Frenchman: turn and turn
:again!

CHARLES.
:Welcome, brave duke; thy friendship makes us
:fresh.

BASTARD.
:And doth beget new courage in our breasts.

ALENCON.
:Pucelle hath bravely play'd her part in this,
:And doth deserve a coronet of gold.

CHARLES.
:Now let us on, my lords, and join our powers,
:And seek how we may prejudice the foe.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE IV. Paris. The palace. ===

[Enter the King, Gloucester, Bishop of Winchester, York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Exeter:  Vernon, Basset, and others. To them with his soldiers, Talbot.]

TALBOT.
:My gracious Prince, and honourable peers,
:Hearing of your arrival in this realm,
:I have awhile given truce unto my wars,
:To do my duty to my sovereign:
:In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaim'd
:To your obedience fifty fortresses,
:Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength,
:Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem,
:Lets fall his sword before your highness' feet,
:And with submissive loyalty of heart
:Ascribes the glory of his conquest got
:First to my God and next unto your grace. [Kneels.]

KING.
:Is this the Lord Talbot, uncle Gloucester,
:That hath so long been resident in France?

GLOUCESTER.
:Yes, if it please your majesty, my liege.

KING.
:Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord!
:When I was young, as yet I am not old.
:I do remember how my father said
:A stouter champion never handled sword.
:Long since we were resolved of your truth,
:Your faithful service and your toil in war;
:Yet never have you tasted our reward,
:Or been reguerdon'd with so much as thanks.
:Because till now we never saw your face:
:Therefore, stand up:  and for these good deserts,
:We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury;
:And in our coronation take your place.

[Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Vernon and Basset.]

VERNON.
:Now, sir, to you, that were so hot at sea,
:Disgracing of these colors that I wear
:In honor of my noble Lord of York:—
:Dar'st thou maintain the former words thou spakest?

BASSET.
:Yes, sir; as well as you dare patronage
:The envious barking of your saucy tongue
:Against my lord the Duke of Somerset.

VERNON.
:Sirrah, thy lord I honor as he is.

BASSET.
:Why, what is he? as good a man as York.

VERNON.
:Hark ye; not so:  in witness, take ye that.

[Strikes him.]

BASSET.
:Villain, thou know'st the law of arms is such
:That whoso draws a sword, 'tis present death,
:Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood.
:But I 'll unto his majesty, and crave
:I may have liberty to venge this wrong;
:When thou shalt see I 'll meet thee to thy cost.

VERNON.
:Well, miscreant, I 'll be there as soon as you;
:And, after, meet you sooner than you would.

[Exeunt.]

== ACT IV == 

=== SCENE I. Paris. A hall of state. ===

[Enter the King, Gloucester, Bishop of Winchester, York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Talbot, Exeter, the Governor of Paris, and others.]

GLOUCESTER.
:Lord bishop, set the crown upon his head.

WINCHESTER.
:God save King Henry, of that name the sixth!

GLOUCESTER.
:Now, Governor of Paris, take your oath,
:That you elect no other king but him;
:Esteem none friends but such as are his friends,
:And none your foes but such as shall pretend
:Malicious practices against his state:
:This shall ye do, so help you righteous God!

[Enter Sir John Fastolfe.]

FASTOLFE.
:My gracious sovereign, as I rode from Calais,
:To haste unto your coronation,
:A letter was deliver'd to my hands,
:Writ to your Grace from the Duke of Burgundy.

TALBOT.
:Shame to the Duke of Burgundy and thee!
:I vow'd, base knight, when I did meet thee next,
:To tear the garter from thy craven's leg, [Plucking it off.]
:Which I have done, because unworthily
:Thou wast installed in that high degree.
:Pardon me, princely Henry, and the rest:
:This dastard, at the battle of Patay,
:When but in all I was six thousand strong
:And that the French were almost ten to one,
:Before we met or that a stroke was given,
:Like to a trusty squire did run away:
:In which assault we lost twelve hundred men;
:Myself and divers gentlemen beside
:Were there surprised and taken prisoners.
:Then judge, great lords, if I have done amiss;
:Or whether that such cowards ought to wear
:This ornament of knighthood, yea or no.

GLOUCESTER.
:To say the truth, this fact was infamous
:And ill beseeming any common man,
:Much more a knight, a captain, and a leader.

TALBOT.
:When first this order was ordain'd, my lords,
:Knights of the garter were of noble birth,
:Valiant and virtuous, full of haughty courage,
:Such as were grown to credit by the wars;
:Not fearing death, nor shrinking for distress,
:But always resolute in most extremes.
:He then that is not furnish'd in this sort
:Doth but usurp the sacred name of knight,
:Profaning this most honorable order,
:And should, if I were worthy to be judge,
:Be quite degraded, like a hedge-born swain
:That doth presume to boast of gentle blood.

KING.
:Stain to thy countrymen, thou hear'st thy doom!
:Be packing, therefore, thou that wast a knight;
:Henceforth we banish thee, on pain of death.

[Exit Fastolfe.]

:And now, my lord protector, view the letter
:Sent from our uncle Duke of Burgundy.

GLOUCESTER.
:What means his grace,
:that he hath changed his style?
:No more but, plain and bluntly, 'To the King!'
:Hath he forgot he is his sovereign?
:Or doth this churlish superscription
:Pretend some alteration in good will?
:What's here? [Reads] 'I have, upon especial cause,
:Moved with compassion of my country's wreck,
:Together with the pitiful complaints
:Of such as your oppression feeds upon,
:Forsaken your pernicious faction,
:And join'd with Charles, the rightful King of France.'
:O monstrous treachery! can this be so,
:That in alliance, amity and oaths,
:There should be found such false dissembling guile?

KING.
:What! doth my uncle Burgundy revolt?

GLOUCESTER.
:He doth, my lord, and is become your foe.

KING.
:Is that the worst this letter doth contain?

GLOUCESTER.
:It is the worst, and all, my lord, he writes.

KING.
:Why, then, Lord Talbot there shall talk with him,
:And give him chastisement for this abuse.
:How say you, my lord? are you not content?

TALBOT.
:Content, my liege! yes; but that I am prevented,
:I should have begg'd I might have been employ'd.

KING.
:Then gather strength, and march unto him straight:
:Let him perceive how ill we brook his treason.
:And what offence it is to flout his friends.

TALBOT.
:I go, my lord, in heart desiring still
:You may behold confusion of your foes.

[Exit.]

[Enter Vernon and Basset.]

VERNON.
:Grant me the combat, gracious sovereign.

BASSET.
:And me, my lord, grant me the combat too.

YORK.
:This is my servant:  hear him, noble prince.

SOMERSET.
:And this is mine:  sweet Henry, favor him.

KING.
:Be patient, lords, and give them leave to speak.
:Say, gentlemen, what makes you thus exclaim?
:And wherefore crave you combat? or with whom?

VERNON.
:With him, my lord; for he hath done me wrong.

BASSET.
:And I with him; for he hath done me wrong.

KING.
:What is that wrong whereof you both complain?
:First let me know, and then I'll answer you.

BASSET.
:Crossing the sea from England into France,
:This fellow here, with envious carping tongue,
:Upbraided me about the rose I wear;
:Saying, the sanguine colour of the leaves
:Did represent my master's blushing cheeks,
:When stubbornly he did repugn the truth
:About a certain question in the law
:Argued betwixt the Duke of York and him;
:With other vile and ignominious terms:
:In confutation of which rude reproach,
:And in defence of my lord's worthiness,
:I crave the benefit of law of arms.

VERNON.
:And that is my petition, noble lord:
:For though he seem with forged quaint conceit
:To set a gloss upon his bold intent,
:Yet know, my lord, I was provoked by him;
:And he first took exceptions at this badge,
:Pronouncing that the paleness of this flower
:Bewray'd the faintness of my master's heart.

YORK.
:Will not this malice, Somerset, be left?

SOMERSET.
:Your private grudge, my Lord of York, will out,
:Though ne'er so cunningly you smother it.

KING.
:Good Lord, what madness rules in brainsick men,
:When for so slight and frivolous a cause
:Such factious emulations shall arise!
:Good cousins both, of York and Somerset,
:Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.

YORK.
:Let this dissension first be tried by fight,
:And then your highness shall command a peace.

SOMERSET.
:The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;
:Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.

YORK.
:There is my pledge; accept it, Somerset.

VERNON.
:Nay, let it rest where it began at first.

BASSET.
:Confirm it so, mine honorable lord.

GLOUCESTER.
:Confirm it so! Confounded be your strife!
:And perish ye, with your audacious prate!
:Presumptuous vassals, are you not ashamed
:With this immodest clamorous outrage
:To trouble and disturb the king and us?
:And you, my lords, methinks you do not well
:To bear with their perverse objections;
:Much less to take occasion from their mouths
:To raise a mutiny betwixt yourselves:
:Let me persuade you take a better course.

EXETER.
:It grieves his highness:  good my lords, be friends.

KING.
:Come hither, you that would be combatants:
:Henceforth I charge you, as you love our favor,
:Quite to forget this quarrel and the cause.
:And you, my lords, remember where we are:
:In France, amongst a fickle wavering nation;
:If they perceive dissension in our looks
:And that within ourselves we disagree,
:How will their grudging stomachs be provoked
:To willful disobedience, and rebel!
:Beside, what infamy will there arise
:When foreign princes shall be certified
:That for a toy, a thing of no regard,
:King Henry's peers and chief nobility
:Destroy'd themselves and lost the realm of France
:O, think upon the conquest of my father,
:My tender years; and let us not forgo
:That for a trifle that was bought with blood!
:Let me be umpire in this doubtful strife.
:I see no reason, if I wear this rose,

[Putting on a red rose.]

:That any one should therefore be suspicious
:I more incline to Somerset than York:
:Both are my kinsmen, and I love them both:
:As well they may upbraid me with my crown,
:Because, forsooth, the king of Scots is crown'd.
:But your discretions better can persuade
:Than I am able to instruct or teach;
:And, therefore, as we hither came in peace,
:So let us still continue peace and love.
:Cousin of York, we institute your grace
:To be our Regent in these parts of France:
:And, good my Lord of Somerset, unite
:Your troops of horsemen with his bands of foot;
:And, like true subjects, sons of your progenitors,
:Go cheerfully together and digest
:Your angry choler on your enemies.
:Ourself, my lord protector and the rest
:After some respite will return to Calais;
:From thence to England; where I hope ere long
:To be presented, by your victories,
:With Charles, Alencon, and that traitorous rout.

[Flourish. Exeunt all but York, Warwick, Exeter and  Vernon.]

WARWICK.
:My Lord of York, I promise you, the king
:Prettily, methought, did play the orator.

YORK.
:And so he did; but yet I like it not,
:In that he wears the badge of Somerset.

WARWICK.
:Tush, that was but his fancy, blame him not;
:I dare presume, sweet prince, he thought no harm.

YORK.
:An if I wist he did,—but let it rest;
:Other affairs must now be managed.

[Exeunt all but Exeter.]

EXETER.
:Well didst thou, Richard, to suppress thy voice;
:For, had the passions of thy heart burst out,
:I fear we should have seen decipher'd there
:More rancorous spite, more furious raging broils,
:Than yet can be imagined or supposed.
:But howsoe'er, no simple man that sees
:This jarring discord of nobility,
:This shouldering of each other in the court,
:This factious bandying of their favorites,
:But that it doth presage some ill event.
:Tis much when scepters are in children's hands;
:But more when envy breeds unkind division;
:There comes the ruin, there begins confusion.

[Exit.]

=== SCENE II. Before Bordeaux. ===

[Enter Talbot, with trump and drum.]

TALBOT.
:Go to the gates of Bordeaux, trumpeter:
:Summon their general unto the wall.

[Trumpet sounds. Enter General and others, aloft.]

:English John Talbot, Captains, calls you forth,
:Servant in arms to Harry King of England;
:And thus he would: Open your city-gates,
:Be humble to us; call my sovereign yours,
:And do him homage as obedient subjects;
:And I 'll withdraw me and my bloody power:
:But, if you frown upon this proffer'd peace,
:You tempt the fury of my three attendants,
:Lean famine, quartering steel, and climbing fire;
:Who in a moment even with the earth
:Shall lay your stately and air-braving towers,
:If you forsake the offer of their love.

GENERAL.
:Thou ominous and fearful owl of death,
:Our nation's terror and their bloody scourge!
:The period of thy tyranny approacheth.
:On us thou canst not enter but by death;
:For, I protest, we are well fortified
:And strong enough to issue out and fight:
:If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed,
:Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee:
:On either hand thee there are squadrons pitch'd
:To wall thee from the liberty of flight;
:And no way canst thou turn thee for redress,
:But death doth front thee with apparent spoil,
:And pale destruction meets thee in the face.
:Ten thousand French have ta'en the sacrament
:To rive their dangerous artillery
:Upon no Christian soul but English Talbot.
:Lo, there thou stand'st, a breathing valiant man,
:Of an invincible unconquer'd spirit!
:This is the latest glory of thy praise
:That I, thy enemy, due thee withal;
:For ere the glass, that now begins to run,
:Finish the process of his sandy hour,
:These eyes, that see thee now well colored,
:Shall see thee wither'd, bloody, pale, and dead.

[Drum afar off.]

:Hark! hark! the Dauphin's drum, a warning bell,
:Sings heavy music to thy timorous soul;
:And mine shall ring thy dire departure out.

[Exeunt General, etc.]

TALBOT.
:He fables not; I hear the enemy:
:Out, some light horsemen, and peruse their wings.
:O, negligent and heedless discipline!
:How are we park'd and bounded in a pale,
:A little herd of England's timorous deer,
:Mazed with a yelping kennel of French curs!
:If we be English deer, be then in blood;
:Not rascal-like, to fall down with a pinch,
:But rather, moody-mad and desperate stags,
:Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel
:And make the cowards stand aloof at bay:
:Sell every man his life as dear as mine,
:And they shall find dear deer of us, my friends.
:God and Saint George, Talbot and England's right,
:Prosper our colors in this dangerous fight!

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE III. Plains in Gascony. ===

[Enter a Messenger that meets York. Enter York with trumpet and many soldiers.]

YORK.
:Are not the speedy scouts return'd again,
:That dogg'd the mighty army of the Dauphin?

MESSENGER.
:They are return'd, my lord, and give it out
:That he is march'd to Bordeaux with his power,
:To fight with Talbot:  as he march'd along,
:By your espials were discovered
:Two mightier troops than that the Dauphin led,
:Which join'd with him and made their march for
:Bordeaux.

YORK.
:A plague upon that villain Somerset,
:That thus delays my promised supply
:Of horsemen, that were levied for this siege!
:Renowned Talbot doth expect my aid,
:And I am lowted by a traitor villain,
:And cannot help the noble chevalier:
:God comfort him in this necessity!
:If he miscarry, farewell wars in France.

[Enter Sir William Lucy.]

LUCY.
:Thou princely leader of our English strength,
:Never so needful on the earth of France,
:Spur to the rescue of the noble Talbot,
:Who now is girdled with a waist of iron,
:And hemm'd about with grim destruction.
:To Bordeaux, warlike Duke! to Bordeaux, York!
:Else, farewell, Talbot, France, and England's honor.

YORK.
:O God, that Somerset, who in proud heart
:Doth stop my cornets, were in Talbot's place!
:So should we save a valiant gentleman
:By forfeiting a traitor and a coward.
:Mad ire and wrathful fury makes me weep,
:That thus we die, while remiss traitors sleep.

LUCY.
:O, send some succor to the distress'd lord!

YORK.
:He dies; we lose; I break my warlike word;
:We mourn, France smiles; we lose, they daily get;
:All 'long of this vile traitor Somerset.

LUCY.
:Then God take mercy on brave Talbot's soul;
:And on his son young John, who two hours since
:I met in travel toward his warlike father!
:This seven years did not Talbot see his son;
:And now they meet where both their lives are done.

YORK.
:Alas, what joy shall noble Talbot have,
:To bid his young son welcome to his grave?
:Away! vexation almost stops my breath,
:That sunder'd friends greet in the hour of death.
:Lucy, farewell:  no more my fortune can,
:But curse the cause I cannot aid the man.
:Maine, Blois, Poictiers, and Tours, are won away,
:'Long all of Somerset and his delay.

[Exit, with his soldiers.]

LUCY.
:Thus, while the vulture of sedition
:Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders,
:Sleeping neglection doth betray to loss
:The conquest of our scarce cold conqueror,
:That ever living man of memory,
:Henry the Fifth: whiles they each other cross,
:Lives, honors, lands and all hurry to loss.

[Exit.]

=== SCENE IV. Other plains in Gascony. ===

[Enter Somerset, with his army; a Captain of Talbot's with him.]

SOMERSET.
:It is too late; I cannot send them now:
:This expedition was by York and Talbot
:Too rashly plotted:  all our general force
:Might with a sally of the very town
:Be buckled with:  the over-daring Talbot
:Hath sullied all his gloss of former honor
:By this unheedful, desperate, wild adventure:
:York set him on to fight and die in shame,
:That, Talbot dead, great York might bear the name.

CAPTAIN.
:Here is Sir William Lucy, who with me
:Set from our o'er-match'd forces forth for aid.

[Enter Sir William Lucy.]

SOMERSET.
:How now, Sir William! whither were you sent?

LUCY.
:Whither, my lord? from bought and sold Lord Talbot;
:Who, ring'd about with bold adversity,
:Cries out for noble York and Somerset,
:To beat assailing death from his weak legions;
:And whiles the honorable captain there
:Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs,
:And, in advantage lingering, looks for rescue,
:You, his false hopes, the trust of England's honor,
:Keep off aloof with worthless emulation.
:Let not your private discord keep away
:The levied succors that should lend him aid,
:While he, renowned noble gentleman,
:Yield up his life unto a world of odds.
:Orleans the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy,
:Alencon, Reignier, compass him about,
:And Talbot perisheth by your default.

SOMERSET.
:York set him on; York should have sent him aid.

LUCY.
:And York as fast upon your grace exclaims;
:Swearing that you withhold his levied host,
:Collected for this expedition.

SOMERSET.
:York lies; he might have sent and had the horse:
:I owe him little duty, and less love;
:And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending.

LUCY.
:The fraud of England, not the force of France,
:Hath now entrapp'd the noble-minded Talbot:
:Never to England shall he bear his life;
:But dies, betray'd to fortune by your strife.

SOMERSET.
:Come, go; I will dispatch the horsemen straight:
:Within six hours they will be at his aid.

LUCY.
:Too late comes rescue; he is ta'en or slain;
:For fly he could not, if he would have fled;
:And fly would Talbot never, though he might.

SOMERSET.
:If he be dead, brave Talbot, then adieu!

LUCY.
:His fame lives in the world, his shame in you.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE V. The English camp near Bordeaux. ===

[Enter Talbot and John his son.]

TALBOT.
:O young John Talbot! I did send for thee
:To tutor thee in stratagems of war,
:That Talbot's name might be in thee revived
:When sapless age and weak unable limbs
:Should bring thy father to his drooping chair.
:But, O malignant and ill-boding stars!
:Now thou art come unto a feast of death,
:A terrible and unavoided danger:
:Therefore, dear boy, mount on my swiftest horse;
:And I'll direct thee how thou shalt escape
:By sudden flight:  come, dally not, be gone.

JOHN.
:Is my name Talbot? and am I your son?
:And shall I fly? O, if you love my mother,
:Dishonor not her honorable name,
:To make a bastard and a slave of me!
:The world will say, he is not Talbot's blood,
:That basely fled when noble Talbot stood.

TALBOT.
:Fly, to revenge my death, if I be slain.

JOHN.
:He that flies so will ne'er return again.

TALBOT.
:If we both stay, we both are sure to die.

JOHN.
:Then let me stay; and, father, do you fly;
:Your loss is great, so your regard should be;
:My worth unknown, no loss is known in me.
:Upon my death the French can little boast;
:In yours they will, in you all hopes are lost.
:Flight cannot stain the honor you have won;
:But mine it will, that no exploit have done;
:You fled for vantage, every one will swear;
:But, if I bow, they 'll say it was for fear.
:There is no hope that ever I will stay,
:If the first hour I shrink and run away.
:Here on my knee I beg mortality,
:Rather than life preserved with infamy.

TALBOT.
:Shall all thy mother's hopes lie in one tomb?

JOHN.
:Aye, rather than I 'll shame my mother's womb.

TALBOT.
:Upon my blessing, I command thee go.

JOHN.
:To fight I will, but not to fly the foe.

TALBOT.
:Part of thy father may be saved in thee.

JOHN.
:No part of him but will be shame in me.

TALBOT.
:Thou never hadst renown, nor canst not lose it.

JOHN.
:Yes, your renowned name:  shall flight abuse it?

TALBOT.
:Thy father's charge shall clear thee from that stain.

JOHN.
:You cannot witness for me, being slain.
:If death be so apparent, then both fly.

TALBOT.
:And leave my followers here to fight and die;
:My age was never tainted with such shame.

JOHN.
:And shall my youth be guilty of such blame?
:No more can I be sever'd from your side,
:Than can yourself yourself in twain divide:
:Stay, go, do what you will, the like do I;
:For live I will not, if my father die.

TALBOT.
:Then here I take my leave of thee, fair son,
:Born to eclipse thy life this afternoon.
:Come, side by side together live and die;
:And soul with soul from France to heaven fly.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE VI. A field of battle. ===

[Alarum:  excursions, wherein Talbot's Son is hemmed about, and Talbot rescues him.]

TALBOT.
:Saint George and victory; fight, soldiers, fight:
:The regent hath with Talbot broke his word,
:And left us to the rage of France his sword.
:Where is John Talbot? Pause, and take thy breath;
:I gave thee life and rescued thee from death.

JOHN.
:O, twice my father, twice am I thy son!
:The life thou gavest me first was lost and done,
:Till with thy warlike sword, despite of fate,
:To my determined time thou gavest new date.

TALBOT.
:When from the Dauphin's crest thy sword struck fire,
:It warm'd thy father's heart with proud desire
:Of bold-faced victory. Then leaden age,
:Quicken'd with youthful spleen and warlike rage,
:Beat down Alencon, Orleans, Burgundy,
:And from the pride of Gallia rescued thee.
:The ireful bastard Orleans, that drew blood
:From thee, my boy, and had the maidenhood
:Of thy first fight, I soon encountered,
:And interchanging blows I quickly shed
:Some of his bastard blood; and in disgrace
:Bespoke him thus; 'Contaminated base
:And misbegotten blood I spill of thine,
:Mean and right poor, for that pure blood of mine,
:Which thou didst force from Talbot, my brave boy:'
:Here, purposing the Bastard to destroy,
:Came in strong rescue. Speak, thy father's care,
:Art thou not weary, John? how dost thou fare?
:Wilt thou yet leave the battle, boy, and fly,
:Now thou art seal'd the son of chivalry?
:Fly, to revenge my death when I am dead:
:The help of one stands me in little stead.
:O, too much folly is it, well I wot,
:To hazard all our lives in one small boat!
:If I to-day die not with Frenchmen's rage,
:To-morrow I shall die with mickle age:
:By me they nothing gain an if I stay;
:'Tis but the short'ning of my life one day:
:In thee thy mother dies, our household's name,
:My death's revenge, thy youth, and England's fame:
:All these and more we hazard by thy stay;
:All these are saved if thou wilt fly away.

JOHN.
:The sword of Orleans hath not made me smart;
:These words of yours draw life-blood from my heart:
:On that advantage, bought with such a shame,
:To save a paltry life and slay bright fame,
:Before young Talbot from old Talbot fly,
:The coward horse that bears me fall and die!
:And like me to the peasant boys of France,
:To be shame's scorn and subject of mischance!
:Surely, by all the glory you have won,
:An if I fly, I am not Talbot's son;
:Then talk no more of flight, it is no boot;
:If son to Talbot, die at Talbot's foot.

TALBOT.
:Then follow thou thy desperate sire of Crete,
:Thou Icarus; thy life to me is sweet:
:If thou wilt fight, fight by thy father's side;
:And, commendable proved, let 's die in pride.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE VII. Another part of the field. ===

[Alarum:  excursions. Enter old Talbot led by a Servant.]

TALBOT.
:Where is my other life? mine own is gone;
:O, where's young Talbot? where is valiant John?
:Triumphant death, smear'd with captivity,
:Young Talbot's valor makes me smile at thee:
:When he perceived me shrink and on my knee,
:His bloody sword he brandish'd over me,
:And, like a hungry lion, did commence
:Rough deeds of rage and stern impatience;
:But when my angry guardant stood alone,
:Tendering my ruin and assail'd of none,
:Dizzy-ey'd fury and great rage of heart
:Suddenly made him from my side to start
:Into the clustering battle of the French;
:And in that sea of blood my boy did drench
:His over-mounting spirit, and there died,
:My Icarus, my blossom, in his pride.

SERVANT.
:O my dear lord, lo where your son is borne!

[Enter soldiers, with the body of young Talbot.]

TALBOT.
:Thou antic Death, which laugh'st us here to scorn,
:Anon, from thy insulting tyranny,
:Coupled in bonds of perpetuity,
:Two Talbots, winged through the lither sky,
:In thy despite shall 'scape mortality.
:O thou, whose wounds become hard-favor'd death,
:Speak to thy father ere thou yield thy breath!
:Brave death by speaking, whether he will or no;
:Imagine him a Frenchman and thy foe.
:Poor boy! he smiles, methinks, as who should say,
:Had death been French, then death had died to-day.
:Come, come and lay him in his father's arms:
:My spirit can no longer bear these harms.
:Soldiers, adieu! I have what I would have,
:Now my old arms are young John Talbot's grave.

[Dies.]

[Enter Charles, Alencon, Burgundy, Bastard, La Pucelle, and forces.]

CHARLES.
:Had York and Somerset brought rescue in,
:We should have found a bloody day of this.

BASTARD.
:How the young whelp of Talbot's, raging-wood,
:Did flesh his puny sword in Frenchmen's blood!

PUCELLE.
:Once I encounter'd him, and thus I said:
:'Thou maiden youth, be vanquish'd by a maid.'
:But, with a proud majestical high scorn,
:He answer'd thus:  'Young Talbot was not born
:To be the pillage of a giglot wench:'
:So, rushing in the bowels of the French,
:He left me proudly, as unworthy fight.

BURGUNDY.
:Doubtless he would have made a noble knight:
:See, where he lies inhearsed in the arms
:Of the most bloody nurser of his harms!

BASTARD.
:Hew them to pieces, hack their bones asunder,
:Whose life was England's glory, Gallia's wonder.

CHARLES.
:O, no, forbear! for that which we have fled
:During the life, let us not wrong it dead.

[Enter Sir William Lucy, attended; Herald of the French preceding.]

LUCY.
:Herald, conduct me to the Dauphin's tent,
:To know who hath obtain'd the glory of the day.

CHARLES.
:On what submissive message art thou sent?

LUCY.
:Submission, Dauphin! 'tis a mere French word;
:We English warriors wot not what it means.
:I come to know what prisoners thou hast ta'en,
:And to survey the bodies of the dead.

CHARLES.
:For prisoners ask'st thou? hell our prison is.
:But tell me whom thou seek'st.

LUCY.
:But where's 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,
:Lord Cromwell of Wingfield, Lord Furnival of Sheffield,
:The thrice-victorious Lord of Falconbridge;
:Knight of the noble order of Saint George,
:Worthy Saint Michael, and the Golden Fleece;
:Great marshal to Henry the Sixth
:Of all his wars within the realm of France?

PUCELLE.
:Here's a silly stately style indeed!
:The Turk, that two and fifty kingdoms hath,
:Writes not so tedious a style as this.
:Him that thou magnifiest with all these titles
:Stinking and fly-blown lies here at our feet.

LUCY.
:Is Talbot slain, the Frenchman's only scourge,
:Your kingdom's terror and black Nemesis?
:O, were mine eye-balls into bullets turn'd,
:That I in rage might shoot them at your faces!
:O, that I could but can these dead to life!
:It were enough to fright the realm of France:
:Were but his picture left amongst you here,
:It would amaze the proudest of you all.
:Give me their bodies, that I may bear them hence
:And give them burial as beseems their worth.

PUCELLE.
: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 putrify the air.

CHARLES.
:Go, take their bodies hence.

LUCY.
:I 'll bear them hence; but from their ashes shall be
:rear'd
:A phoenix that shall make all France afeard.

CHARLES.
:So we be rid of them, do with 'em what thou wilt.
:And now to Paris, in this conquering vein:
:All will be ours, now bloody Talbot's slain.

[Exeunt.]

== ACT V ==

=== SCENE I. London. The palace. ===

[Sennet. Enter King, Gloucester, and Exeter.]

KING.
:Have you perused the letters from the pope,
:The emperor, and the Earl of Armagnac?

GLOUCESTER.
:I have, my lord:  and their intent is this:
:They humbly sue unto your excellence
:To have a godly peace concluded of
:Between the realms of England and of France.

KING.
:How doth your grace affect their motion?

GLOUCESTER.
:Well, my good lord; and as the only means
:To stop effusion of our Christian blood
:And stablish quietness on every side.

KING.
:Aye, 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.

GLOUCESTER.
:Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect
:And surer bind this knot of amity,
:The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles,
:A man of great authority in France,
:Proffers his only daughter to your grace
:In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.

KING.
:Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!
:And fitter is my study and my books
:Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
:Yet call the ambassadors; and, as you please,
:So let them have their answers every one:
:I shall be well content with any choice
:Tends to God's glory and my country's weal.

[Enter Winchester in Cardinal's habit, a Legate and two Ambassadors.]

EXETER.
:What! is my Lord of Winchester install'd
:And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?
:Then I perceive that will be verified
:Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy,
:'If once he come to be a cardinal,
:He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.'

KING.
:My lords ambassadors, your several suits
:Have been consider'd and debated on.
:Your purpose is both good and reasonable;
:And therefore are we certainly resolved
:To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
:Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
:Shall be transported presently to France.

GLOUCESTER.
:And for the proffer of my lord your master,
:I have inform'd his highness so at large,
:As liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,
:Her beauty and the value of her dower,
:He doth intend she shall be England's Queen.

KING.
:In argument and proof of which contract,
:Bear her this jewel, 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.

[Exeunt all but Winchester and Legate.]

WINCHESTER.
:Stay my lord legate:  you shall first receive
:The sum of money which I promised
:Should be deliver'd to his holiness
:For clothing me in these grave ornaments.

LEGATE.
:I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.

WINCHESTER.
:[Aside] Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
:Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
:Humphrey of Gloucester, 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.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE II. France. Plains in Anjou. ===

[Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alencon, Bastard, Reignier, La Pucelle, and forces.]

CHARLES.
:These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:
:'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
:And turn again unto the warlike French.

ALENCON.
:Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France,
:And keep not back your powers in dalliance.

PUCELLE.
:Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us;
:Else, ruin combat with their palaces!

[Enter Scout.]

SCOUT.
:Success unto our valiant general,
:And happiness to his accomplices!

CHARLES.
:What tidings send our scouts?  I prithee, speak.

SCOUT.
:The English army, that divided was
:Into two parties, is now conjoin'd in one,
:And means to give you battle presently.

CHARLES.
:Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is;
:But we will presently provide for them.

BURGUNDY.
:I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there:
:Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear.

PUCELLE.
:Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.
:Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine,
:Let Henry fret and all the world repine.

CHARLES.
:Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate!

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE III. Before Angiers. ===

[Alarum. Excursions. Enter La Pucelle.]

PUCELLE.
:The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.
:Now help, ye charming spells and periapts;
:And ye choice spirits that admonish me,
:And give me signs of future accidents. [Thunder]
:You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
:Under the lordly monarch of the north,
:Appear and aid me in this enterprise.

[Enter Fiends.]

:This speedy and 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 and speak not.]

:O, hold me not with silence over-long!
:Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
:I 'll lop a member off and give it you
:In earnest of a further benefit,
: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.

[Exit.]

[Excursions. Re-enter La Pucelle fighting hand to hand with York: La Pucelle is taken. The French fly.]

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!

PUCELLE.
:Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be.

YORK.
:O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;
:No shape but his can please your dainty eye.

PUCELLE.
:A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!
:And may ye both be suddenly surprised
:By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!

YORK.
:Fell banning hag; enchantress, hold thy tongue!

PUCELLE.
:I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile.

YORK.
:Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake.

[Exeunt.]

[Alarum. Enter Suffolk, with Margaret in his hand.]

SUFFOLK.
: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 for eternal peace,
:And lay them gently on thy tender side.
:Who art thou? say, that I may honor thee.

MARGARET.
:Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,
:The King of Naples, whosoe'er thou art.

SUFFOLK.
: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,
:Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings.
:Yet, if this servile usage once offend,
:Go and be free again as Suffolk's friend.

[She is going.]

:O, stay!  I have no power to let her pass;
:My hand would free her, but my heart says no.
:As plays the sun upon the glassy streams,
:Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
: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.
:Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself;
:Hast not a tongue? is she not here?
:Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight?
:Aye, beauty's princely majesty is such,
:Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.

MARGARET.
:Say, Earl of Suffolk,—if thy name be so—
:What ransom must I pay before I pass?
:For I perceive I am thy prisoner.

SUFFOLK.
:How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit,
:Before thou make a trial of her love?

MARGARET.
:Why speak'st thou not? what ransom must I pay?

SUFFOLK.
:She's beautiful and therefore to be woo'd;
:She is a woman, therefore to be won.

MARGARET.
:Wilt thou accept of ransom? yea, or no.

SUFFOLK.
:Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife;
:Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?

MARGARET.
:I were best leave him, for he will not hear.

SUFFOLK.
:There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card.

MARGARET.
:He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.

SUFFOLK.
:And yet a dispensation may be had.

MARGARET.
:And yet I would that you would answer me.

SUFFOLK.
:I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
:Why, for my king; tush, that 's a wooden thing!

MARGARET.
:He talks of wood:  it is some carpenter.

SUFFOLK.
: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.

MARGARET.
:Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?

SUFFOLK.
:It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much:
:Henry is youthful and will quickly yield.
:Madam, I have a secret to reveal.

MARGARET.
:What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a knight,
:And will not any way dishonor me.

SUFFOLK.
:Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.

MARGARET.
:Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French;
:And then I need not crave his courtesy.

SUFFOLK.
:Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause—

MARGARET.
:Tush! women have been captivate ere now.

SUFFOLK.
:Lady, wherefore talk you so?

MARGARET.
:I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo.

SUFFOLK.
:Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose
:Your bondage happy, to be made a queen?

MARGARET.
:To be a queen in bondage is more vile
:Than is a slave in base servility;
:For princes should be free.

SUFFOLK.
:And so shall you,
:If happy England's royal king be free.

MARGARET.
:Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?

SUFFOLK.
: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,
:If thou wilt condescend to be my—

MARGARET.
:What?

SUFFOLK.
:His love.

MARGARET.
:I am unworthy to be Henry's wife.

SUFFOLK.
:No, gentle madam; I unworthy am
:To woo so fair a dame to be his wife,
:And have no portion in the choice myself.
:How say you, madam, are ye so content?

MARGARET.
:An if my father please, I am content.

SUFFOLK.
:Then call our captain and our colors forth.
:And, madam, at your father's castle walls
:We'll crave a parley, to confer with him.

[A parley sounded. Enter Reignier on the walls.]

:See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner!

REIGNIER. 
:To whom?

SUFFOLK.
:To me.

REIGNIER.
:Suffolk, what remedy?
:I am a soldier, and unapt to weep,
:Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.

SUFFOLK.
:Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:
:Consent, and for thy honor give consent,
:Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king;
:Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto;
:And this her easy-held imprisonment
:Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty.

REIGNIER.
:Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?

SUFFOLK.
:Fair Margaret knows
:That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.

REIGNIER.
:Upon thy princely warrant, I descend
:To give thee answer of thy just demand.

[Exit from the walls.]

SUFFOLK.
:And here I will expect thy coming.

[Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below.]

REIGNIER.
:Welcome, brave earl, into our territories:
:Command in Anjou what your honor pleases.

SUFFOLK.
:Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,
:Fit to be made companion with a king:
:What answer makes your grace unto my suit?

REIGNIER.
:Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
:To be the princely bride of such a lord;
:Upon condition I may quietly
:Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou,
:Free from oppression or the stroke of war,
:My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please.

SUFFOLK.
:That is her ransom; I deliver her;
:And those two counties I will undertake
:Your Grace shall well and quietly enjoy.

REIGNIER.
:And I again, in Henry's royal name,
:As deputy unto that gracious king,
:Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.

SUFFOLK.
:Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,
:Because this is in traffic of a king.
:[Aside] 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 solemnized.
:So, farewell, Reignier; set this diamond safe
:In golden palaces, as it becomes.

REIGNIER.
:I do embrace thee as I would embrace
:The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.

MARGARET.
:Farewell, my lord:  good wishes, praise and prayers.
:Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [Going.

SUFFOLK.
:Farewell, sweet madam:  but hark you, Margaret;
:No princely commendations to my king?

MARGARET.
:Such commendations as becomes a maid,
:A virgin and his servant, say to him.

SUFFOLK.
:Words sweetly placed and modestly directed.
:But, madam, I must trouble you again;
:No loving token to his majesty?

MARGARET.
:Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart,
:Never yet taint with love, I send the king.

SUFFOLK.
:And this withal. [Kisses her.]

MARGARET.
:That for thyself:  I will not so presume
:To send such peevish tokens to a king.

[Exeunt Reignier and Margaret.]

SUFFOLK.
:O, wert thou for myself!  But, Suffolk, stay;
:Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth;
:There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
:Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise:
:Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
:And natural graces that extinguish art;
:Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
:That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry's feet,
:Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.

[Exit.]

=== SCENE IV. Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou. ===

[Enter York, Warwick, and others.]

YORK.
:Bring forth that sorceress condemn'd to burn.

[Enter La Pucelle, guarded, and a Shepherd.]

SHEPHERD.
:Ah, Joan, this kills thy father's heart outright!
:Have I sought every country far and near,
:And now it is my chance to find thee out,
:Must I behold thy timeless cruel death?
:Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I 'll die with thee!

PUCELLE.
:Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
:I am descended of a gentler blood:
:Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.

SHEPHERD.
:Out, out! My lords, as please you, 'tis not so;
:I did beget her, all the parish knows.
:Her mother liveth yet, can testify
:She was the first fruit of my bachelorship.

WARWICK.
:Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage?

YORK.
:This argues what her kind of life hath been,
:Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.

SHEPHERD.
:Fie, 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 prithee, gentle Joan.

PUCELLE.
:Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn'd this man,
:Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.

SHEPHERD.
:'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,
:I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee!
:Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab?
:O, burn her, burn her! hanging is too good.

[Exit.]

YORK.
:Take her away; for she hath lived too long,
:To fill the world with vicious qualities.

PUCELLE.
:First, let me tell you whom you have condemn'd:
:Not me begotten of a shepherd swain,
:But issued from the progeny of kings;
:Virtuous and holy; chosen from above,
:By inspiration of celestial grace,
:To work exceeding miracles on earth.
:I never had to do with wicked spirits:
:But you, that are polluted with your lusts,
:Stain'd with the guiltless blood of innocents,
:Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices,
:Because you want the grace that others have,
:You judge it straight a thing impossible
:To compass wonders but by help of devils.
:No, misconceived!  Joan of Arc hath been
:A virgin from her tender infancy,
:Chaste and immaculate in very thought;
:Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effused,
:Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.

YORK.
:Aye, aye:  away with her to execution!

WARWICK.
:And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid,
:Spare for no faggots, let there be enow:
:Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,
:That so her torture may be shortened.

PUCELLE.
:Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?
:Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity,
:That warranteth by law to be thy privilege.
:I am with child, ye bloody homicides:
:Murder not then the fruit within my womb,
:Although ye hale me to a violent death.

YORK.
:Now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child!

WARWICK.
: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.

WARWICK.
:Well, go to; we'll have no bastards live;
:Especially since Charles must father it.

PUCELLE.
:You are deceived; my child is none of his:
:It was Alencon that enjoy'd my love.

YORK.
:Alencon! that notorious Machiavel!
:It dies, an if it had a thousand lives.

PUCELLE.
:O, give me leave, I have deluded you:
:'Twas neither Charles nor yet the duke I named,
:But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd.

WARWICK.
: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.

WARWICK.
: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.

PUCELLE.
:Then lead me hence; with whom I leave my curse:
:May never glorious sun reflex his beams
:Upon the country where you make abode:
:But darkness and the gloomy shade of death
:Environ you, till mischief and despair
:Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves!

[Exit, guarded.]

YORK.
:Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes,
:Thou foul accursed minister of hell!

[Enter Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, attended.]

CARDINAL.
:Lord regent, I do greet your excellence
:With letters of commission from the king.
:For know, my lords, the states of Christendom,
:Moved with remorse of these outrageous broils,
:Have earnestly implored a general peace
:Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French;
:And here at hand the Dauphin and his train
:Approacheth, to confer about some matter.

YORK.
:Is all our travail turn'd to this effect?
:After the slaughter of so many peers,
:So many captains, gentlemen and soldiers,
:That in this quarrel have been overthrown,
:And sold their bodies for their country's benefit,
:Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace?
:Have we not lost most part of all the towns,
:By treason, falsehood, and by treachery,
:Our great progenitors had conquered?
:O, Warwick, Warwick!  I foresee with grief
:The utter loss of all the realm of France.

WARWICK.
:Be patient, York:  if we conclude
:a peace,
:It shall be with such strict and severe covenants
:As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.

[Enter Charles, Alencon, Bastard, Reignier, and others.]

CHARLES.
: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,
:By sight of these our baleful enemies.

CARDINAL.
:Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus:
:That, in regard King Henry gives consent,
:Of mere compassion and of lenity,
:To ease your country of distressful war,
:And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,
:You shall become true liegemen to his crown:
:And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear
:To pay him tribute and submit thyself,
:Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him,
:And still enjoy the regal dignity.

ALENCON.
:Must he be then as shadow of himself?
:Adorn his temples with a coronet,
:And yet, in substance and authority,
:Retain but privilege of a private man?
:This proffer is absurd and reasonless.

CHARLES.
:'Tis known already that I am possess'd
:With more than half the Gallian territories,
:And therein reverenced for their lawful king:
:Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd,
:Detract so much from that prerogative,
:As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole?
:No, lord ambassador, I 'll rather keep
:That which I have than, coveting for more,
:Be cast from possibility of all.

YORK.
:Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means
:Used intercession to obtain a league,
:And, now the matter grows to compromise,
:Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison?
:Either accept the title thou usurp'st,
:Of benefit proceeding from our king
:And not of any challenge of desert,
:Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.

REIGNIER.
:My lord, you do not well in obstinacy
:To cavil in the course of this contract:
:If once it be neglected, ten to one
:We shall not find like opportunity.

ALENCON.
:To say the truth, it is your policy
:To save your subjects from such massacre
:And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen,
:By our proceeding in hostility;
:And therefore take this compact of a truce,
:Although you break it when your pleasure serves.

WARWICK.
:How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand?

CHARLES.
:It shall;
:Only reserv'd, you claim no interest
:In any of our towns of garrison.

YORK.
:Then swear allegiance to his majesty,
:As thou art knight, never to disobey
:Nor be rebellious to the crown of England
:Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.
:So, now dismiss your army when ye please;
:Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still,
:For here we entertain a solemn peace.

[Exeunt.]

=== SCENE V. London. The royal palace. ===

[Enter Suffolk in conference with the King, Gloucester and Exeter.]

KING.
:Your wondrous rare description, noble earl,
:Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me.
:Her virtues graced with external gifts
:Do breed love's settled passions in my heart:
:And like as rigor of tempestuous gusts
:Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,
:So am I driven by breath of her renown,
:Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive
:Where I may have fruition of her love.

SUFFOLK.
:Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale
:Is but a preface of her worthy praise;
:The chief perfections of that lovely dame,
:Had I sufficient skill to utter them,
:Would make a volume of enticing lines,
:Able to ravish any dull conceit:
:And, which is more, she is not so divine,
:So full-replete with choice of all delights,
:But with as humble lowliness of mind
:She is content to be at your command;
:Command, I mean, of virtuous intents,
:To love and honor Henry as her lord.

KING.
:And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume.
:Therefore, my lord protector, give consent
:That Margaret may be England's royal queen.

GLOUCESTER.
:So should I give consent to flatter sin.
:You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd
:Unto another lady of esteem:
:How shall we then dispense with that contract,
:And not deface your honor with reproach?

SUFFOLK.
:As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths;
:Or one that, at a triumph having vow'd
:To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists
:By reason of his adversary's odds:
:A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds,
:And therefore may be broke without offense.

GLOUCESTER.
:Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that?
:Her father is no better than an earl,
:Although in glorious titles he excel.

SUFFOLK.
:Yes, my lord, her father is a king,
:The King of Naples and Jerusalem;
:And of such great authority in France,
:As his alliance will confirm our peace,
:And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.

GLOUCESTER.
:And so the Earl of Armagnac may do,
:Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

EXETER.
:Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,
:Where Reignier sooner will receive than give.

SUFFOLK.
:A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king,
:That he should be so abject, base and poor,
:To choose for wealth and not for perfect love.
:Henry is able to enrich his queen,
:And not to seek a queen to make him rich:
:So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
:As market-men for oxen, sheep, or horse.
:Marriage is a matter of more worth
:Than to be dealt in by attorneyship;
:Not whom we will; but whom his grace affects,
:Must be companion of his nuptial bed:
:And therefore, lords, since he affects her most,
:It most of all these reasons bindeth us,
:In our opinions she should be preferr'd.
:For what is wedlock forced but a hell,
:An age of discord and continual strife?
:Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss,
:And is a pattern of celestial peace.
:Whom should we match with Henry, being a king,
:But Margaret, that is daughter to a king?
:Her peerless feature, joined with her birth,
:Approves her fit for none but for a king;
:Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit,
:More than in women commonly is seen,
:Will answer our hope in issue of a king;
:For Henry, son unto a conqueror,
:Is likely to beget more conquerors,
:If with a lady of so high resolve
:As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love.
:Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me
:That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she.

KING.
:Whether it be through force of your report,
:My noble Lord of Suffolk, or for that
:My tender youth was never yet attaint
:With any passion of inflaming love,
:I cannot tell; but this I am assured,
:I feel such sharp dissension in my breast,
:Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear,
:As I am sick with working of my thoughts.
:Take, therefore, shipping; post, my lord, to France;
:Agree to any covenants, and procure
:That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come
:To cross the seas to England, and be crown'd
:King Henry's faithful and anointed queen:
:For your expenses and sufficient charge,
:Among the people gather up a tenth.
:Be gone, I say; for till you do return,
:I rest perplexed with a thousand cares.
:And you, good uncle, banish all offense:
:If you do censure me by what you were,
:Not what you are, I know it will excuse
:This sudden execution of my will.
:And so, conduct me where, from company,
:I may revolve and ruminate my grief.

[Exit.]

GLOUCESTER.
:Aye, grief, I fear me, both at first and last.

[Exeunt Gloucester and Exeter.]

SUFFOLK.
:Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd; and thus he goes,
:As did the youthful Paris once to Greece,
:With hope to find the like event in love,
:But prosper better than the Troyan did.
:Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king;
:But I will rule both her, the king and realm.

[Exit.]

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