Yet, call the ambassadors; and, as you please, I shall be well content with any choice, Enter a Legate, and Two Ambassadors, with WINCHESTER, in a Cardinal's Habit. Exe. What! is my lord of Winchester install'd, And call'd unto a cardinal's degree 3! Then, I perceive, that will be verified, He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown. K. Hen. My lords ambassadors, your several suits Have been consider'd and debated on. Your purpose is both good and reasonable : K. Hen. In argument and proof of which contráct, Bear her this jewel, [To the Amb.] pledge of my affection. And so, my lord protector, see them guarded, 3 The poet has here forgot himself. In the first act Gloster says: 'I'll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal's hat.' And it is strange that Exeter should not know of his advancement. It appears that he would imply that Winchester obtained his hat only just before his present entry. He in fact obtained it in the fifth year of Henry's reign. And safely brought to Dover; where, inshipp'd, Commit them to the fortune of the sea. [Exeunt KING HENRY and Train; GLOSTER, EXETER, and Ambassadors. Win. 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. Leg. I will attend upon your lordship's leisure. Win. Now, Winchester will not submit, I trow, Or be inferior to the proudest peer. Humphrey of Gloster, thou shalt well perceive, [Exeunt. SCENE II. France. Plains in Anjou. Enter CHARLES, BURGUNDY, ALENÇON, LA PUCELLE, and Forces, marching. Char. These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits: "Tis said, the stout Parisians do revolt, And turn again unto the warlike French. Alen. Then march to Paris,royal Charles of France, And keep not back your powers in dalliance. Puc. Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us; Else, ruin combat with their palaces! Enter a Messenger. Mess. Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices! Char. What tidings send our scouts? I pr'ythee speak. Mess. The English army, that divided was Into two parts, is now conjoin'd in one; And means to give you battle presently. Char. Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is; But we will presently provide for them. Bur. I trust, the ghost of Talbot is not there; Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear. Puc. Of all base passions, fear is most accurs'd:Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine; Let Henry fret, and all the world repine. Char. Then on, my lords; And France be fortu nate! [Exeunt. SCENE III. The same. Before Angiers. Alarums: Excursions. Enter LA PUCelle. Puc. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. Now help, ye charming spells, and periapts 1; 1 Periapts were certain written charms worn about the person as preservatives from disease and danger. Of these the first chapter of St. John's Gospel was deemed the most efficacious. See Scot's Discovery of Witchcraft, 1584, p. 230, &c. The following story is related in Wits, Fits, and Fancies, 1595:- A cardinal seeing a priest carrying a cudgel under his gown, reprimanded him. His excuse was, that he only carried it to defend himself against the dogs of the town. Wherefore, I pray you, replied the cardinal, serves St. John's Gospel? Alas, my lord, said the priest, these curs understand no Latin.' 2 The monarch of the north was Zimimar, one of the four principal devils invoked by witches. The north was supposed to be the particular habitation of bad spirits. Milton assembles the rebel angels in the north. Enter Fiends. This speedy quick appearance argues proof So my blood, you do condescend to help me now. [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress?-My body shall [They shake their heads. Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: 3 Warburton thought that we should read legions here, the same mistake having occurred before in this play. 4 Where for whereas, a common substitution in old writers; whereas is also sometimes used for where. 'Where now you're both a father and a son.' Pericles. 5 To vail is to lower. See note on Merchant of Venice, Act i. Sc. 1. Alarums. Enter French and English, fighting. La PUCELLE and YORK fight hand to hand. La PUCELLE is taken. The French fly. - York. Damsel of France, I think I have you fast: Puc. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be. And may ye both be suddenly surpris'd York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy tongue. Puc. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a while. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the [Exeunt. stake. Alarums. Enter SUFFOLK, leading in LADY MARGARET. Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. O fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly; [Gazes on her. For I will touch thee but with reverent hands, 6 To ban is to curse. Thus in the Jew of Malta, 1633:'I ban their souls to everlasting pain.' So in Hamlet: 'With Hecat's ban thrice blasted." |