Wherewith already France is over-run. Enter a third Messenger. 3 Mess. 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. Win. What! wherein Talbot overcame? is 't so? Having full scarce six thousand in his troop, He wanted pikes to set before his archers; To keep the horsemen off from breaking in. Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him; A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin's grace, Whom all France, with their chief assembled strength, Bed. Is Talbot slain? then, I will slay myself, For living idly here in pomp and ease, Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid, 1 vaward: in f. e. Unto his dastard foe-men is betray'd. 3 Mess. 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. Bed. His ransom, there is none but I shall pay. And hardly keeps his men from mutiny, Exe. Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn, Either to quell the Dauphin utterly, Or bring him in obedience to your yoke. Bed. I do remember it; and here take my leave, To go about my preparation. [Exit. Glo. I'll to the Tower, with all the haste I can, To view th' artillery and munition; And then I will proclaim young Henry king. [Exit. Exe. 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. Win. Each hath his place and function to attend: I am left out; for me nothing remains. [Exit SCENE II.-France. Before Orleans. Flourish. Enter CHARLES, with his Forces; ALENÇON, REIGNIER, and others. Char. 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. 1 make in f. e. 2 send in f. e. 3 This circumstance is mentioned in other writers of the time. What towns of any moment but we have? The whiles, the famish'd English, like pale ghosts, Alen. They want their porridge, and their fat bullbeeves: Either they must be dieted like mules, And have their provender tied to their mouths, Reig. Let's raise the siege. Why live we idly here? Char. Sound, sound alarum! we will rush on them, Now, for the honour of the forborne French! Him I forgive my death that killeth me. When he sees me go back one foot, or flee." [Exeunt. Alarums; Excursions; afterwards a Retreat, Re-enter CHARLES, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, and others. Char. 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. Reig. Salisbury is a desperate homicide; He fighteth as one weary of his life: Alen. Froissart, a countryman of ours, records, It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Lean raw-bon'd rascals! who would e'er suppose They had such courage and audacity? Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hair-brain'd slaves, And hunger will enforce them be more eager: Of old I know them; rather with their teeth Their arms are set like clocks still to strike on; 1 otherwhiles: in f. e. 2 forlorn in f. e. : • Machines. 3 fly in f. e. Else ne'er could they hold out so, as they do. Enter the Bastard of Orleans. Bast. Where's the prince Dauphin? I have news for him. Char. Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. Bast. 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, And drive the English forth the bounds of France. Char. 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. [Retires. Enter LA PUCELLE, Bastard of Orleans, and others. Reig. Fair maid, is 't thou wilt do these wond'rous feats? Puc. 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 amaz'd, there's nothing hid from me: In private will I talk with thee apart.— Stand back, my lords, and give us leave awhile. Reig. She takes upon her bravely at first dash. [They retire.1 Puc. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter. My wit untrain'd in any kind of art. Heaven and our gracious Lady' hath it pleas'd Lo! whilst I waited on my tender lambs, And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks, 1 Not in f. e. 2 our Lady gracious: in f. e. God's mother deigned to appear to me; Char. 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, Puc. I am prepar'd. Here is my keen-edg'd sword, Char. Then, come o' God's name: I fear no woman. Puc. And, while I live, I'll ne'er fly from no man. [They fight. Char. Stay, stay thy hands! thou art an Amazon, And fightest with the sword of Deborah. Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too weak. Char. 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. Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be: For my profession's sacred from above: Then will I think upon a recompense. Char. Mean time look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Reig. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk. [They talk apart. 1 otherwise: in f. e. in you not in f. e. Not in f. e.. |