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

Enter a Scout.

Scout. Success unto our valiant general,

And happiness to his accomplices !

Dau. What tidings send our scouts? I pr'ythee, speak.

Scout. The English army, that divided was

Into two parts, is now conjoin'd in one;
And means to give you battle presently.

140

Dau. 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.

Pucel. 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.

Dau. Then on, my lords; And France be fortu[Exeunt.

nate!

SCENE IV.

Alarum: Excursions.

Enter JOAN LA PUCELLE.

Pucel. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen

Ay.

Now help, ye charming spells, and periapts;

And
ye choice spirits, that admonish me,
And give me signs of future accidents!

150

[Thunder.

You

You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north,
Appear, and aid me in this enterprizel

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. 160

[They walk, and speak not.

Oh, 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 recompence, 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, 170 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

And hell too strong for me to buckle with :-
Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [Exit.

Excursions. PUCELLE and YORK fight Hand to Hand.
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 I

180

See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows,
As if, with Circe, she would change my shape.
Pucel. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be.
York. Oh, Charles the dauphin is a proper man;
No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
Pucel. A plaguing mischief light on Charles, and
thee!

And may ye both be suddenly surpriz'd

By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!

York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy

tongue.

199

Pucel. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a while. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the

Alarum.

stake.

[Exeunt.

Enter SUFFOLK, leading in Lady MAR

GARET.

Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.

[Gazes on her.

Oh fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly;
For I will touch thee but with reverent hands.

I kiss

I kiss these fingers for eternal peace,

And lay them gently on thy tender side.

Who art thou say, that I may honour thee.

Mar. Margaret my name; and daughter to a king, The king of Naples, whosoe'er thou art.

Suf. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd.

Be not offended, nature's miracle,

Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me :
So doth the swan her downy cygnets save,
Keeping them prisoners underneath her wings.
Yet, if this servile usage once offend,

Go, and be free again, as Suffolk's friend.

200

[She is going.

Oh, 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 Poole! disable not thyself;

Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner?
Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight ?
Ay; beauty's princely majesty is such,

210

Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough. Mar. Say, earl of Suffolk-if thy name be so—

What ransom must I pay before I pass?

For, I perceive, I am thy prisoner.

221

Suf. How can'st thou tell, she will deny thy suit, Before thou make a trial of her love?

[Aside.

Mar.

Mar. Why speak'st thou not"? what ransom must I

pay?

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

[Aside

Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or nó ? Suf. Fond man! remember, that thou hast a wife; 229 Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? [Aside. Mar. I were best to leave him, for he will not

hear.

Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card. Mar. He talks at random; sure, the man is mad. Suf. And yet a dispensation may be had.

Mar. And yet I would that you would answer me. Suf. I'll win this lady Margaret. For whom! Why, for my king: Tush! that's a wooden thing. Mar. He talks of wood: It is some carpenter. Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfy'd,

240

And peace established between these realms.
But there remains a scruple in that too:
For though her father be the king of Naples,
Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor,
And our nobility will scorn the match.

[Aside.

Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? Suf. It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much : Henry, is youthful, and will quickly yield.

Madam, I have a secret to reveal.

Mar. What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a

knight,

And will not any way dishonour me.

[Aside. Suf.