251 Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. Mar. Perhaps, I shall be rescu'd by the French; And then I need not crave his courtesy. [Aside. Suf. Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause— Mar. Tush! women have been captivate ere now. Suf. Lady, wherefore talk you so ? quo. [Aside. Suf. Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a queen? Mar. To be a queen in bondage, is more vile, 260 Than is a slave in base servility; For princes should be free. Suf. And so shall you, If happy England's royal king be free. Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?. Suf. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen ; To put a golden sceptre in thy hand, And set a precious crown upon thy head, If thou wilt condescend to be my→→→→→→ Mar. What? Suf. His love. 270 Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. Suf. 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 you so content? Mar. An if my father please, I am content. Suf. Then call our captains, and our colours, forth: And, And, madam, at your father's castle walls Sound. Enter REIGNIER the Walls. оп Suf. See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner. Suf. To me. Reig. Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier; and unapt to weep, 280 Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Consent (and, for thy honour, give consent), Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto; 290 And this her easy-held imprisonment Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty. Suf. Fair Margaret knows, That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign. [Exit from the Walls. Suf. And here I will expect thy coming. 300 Trumpets sound. Enter REIGNIER, below. Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our territories; Command in Anjou what your honour pleases. Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, Fit to be made companion with a king : What answer makes your grace unto my suit? 3 Reig. Reig. 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 countries Maine and Anjou, My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please. Suf. That his her ransom, I deliver her; And those two countries, I will undertake, Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy. Reig. And I again—in Henry's royal name, As deputy unto that gracious king Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith. 310 Suf. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Because this is in traffic of a king: And yet, methinks, I could be well content To be mine own attorney in this case. [Aside. 320 Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. Mar. Farewel, my lord! Good wishes, praise, and prayers, Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [She is going. Suf. Farewel, sweet madam! But hark you, Mar garet; No princely commendations to my king? Mar. Such commendations as become a maid, 330 A virgin, and his servant, say to him. K Suf. Suf. Words sweetly plac'd, and modestly directed. But, madam, I must trouble you again No loving token to his majesty ? Mar. Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart, Never yet taint with love, I send the king. Suf. And this withal, [Kisses her. Mar. That for thyself;-I will not so presume, To send such peevish tokens to a king. [Exeunt REIGNIER, and MARGARET. 341 Suf. O, wert thou for myself!-But, Suffolk, stay; Thou may'st not wander in that labyrinth; There Minotaurs, and ugly treasons, lurk, Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise: Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount, Mad, natural graces that extinguish art; Repeat their semblance often on the seas, That, when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet, Thou may'st bereave him of his wits with wonder. [Exit, SCENE V. Camp of the Duke of YORK in Anjou. Enter YORK, WARWICK, a Shepherd, and PUCELLE. York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to burn. Shep. Ah, Joan! this kills thy father's heart out right! Have I sought every country far and near, 350 And, And, now it is my chance to find thee out, Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee! Thou art no father, nor no friend of mine. Shep. Out, out!My lords, an 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. War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? 360 York. This argues what her kind of life hath been, God knows, thou art a collop of my flesh 3 Deny me not, I pr'ythee, gentle Joan. Pucel. Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn'd this man, Of purpose to obscure my noble birth. Shep. '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 370 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! |