Mess. The virtuous lady, countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown, By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe That she may boast, she hath beheld the man men Could not prevail with all their oratory, Yet hath a woman's kindness over-rul'd:- Will not your honours bear me company? 130 Bed. No, truly; that is more than manners will: And I have heard it said-Unbidden guests Are often welcomest when they are gone. Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, I mean to prove this lady's courtesy. 140 Come hither, captain. [Whispers.]-You perceive my mind. Capt. I do, my lord; and mean accordingly. [Exeunt. SCENE SCENE IH. The Countess of AUVERGNE's Castle. Enter the Countess and her Porter. Count. Porter, remember what I gave in charge; And, when you have done so, brings the keys to me. Port. Madam, I will. [Exit. Count. The plot is laid: if all things fall out right, I shall as famous be by this exploit, As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death. 150 Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight, Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, Enter Messenger, and TALBOT, Mess. Madam, according as your ladyship desir'd, By message crav'd, so is lord Talbot come. Count. And he is welcome. man? Mess. Madam, it is. What is this the Count. [As musing.] 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, And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs. 160 Alas! Alas! this is a child, a silly dwarf: It cannot be, this weak and wrizled shrimp; Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you: I'll sort some other time to visit you. 170 Count. What means he now ?-Go ask him, whither 13 he goes. Mess. Stay, my lord Talbot; for my lady craves To know the cause of your abrupt departure. Re-enter Porter with Keys, Count. If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. Count. To me, blood-thristy lord ; And for that cause I train'd thee to my house. 189 Count. Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. Tal. I laugh to see your ladyship so fond, 190 To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow, Whereon Whereon to practise your severity. Count. Then have I substance too. Tal. No, no, I am but shadow of myself; You are deceiv'd, 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, 200 It is of such a spacious lofty pitch, Your roof were not sufficient to contain it. Count. This is a riddling merchant for the nonce; He will be here, and yet he is not here: How can these contrarieties agree? Tal. That will I shew you presently. Winds his Horn. Drums strike up: a Peal of Ordnance. How say you, madam ? are you now persuaded, 210 These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength, Count. Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse: I did not entertain thee as thou art. Tal. Tal. Be not dismay'd, fair lady; nor misconstrue What you have done, hath not offended me : But only (with your patience) that we may 220 Count. With all my heart; and think me honoured 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. Plant. Great lords, and gentlemen, what means this silence? Dare no man answer in a case of truth? Suf. Within the Temple hall we were too loud; The garden here is more convenient. 230 Plant. Then say at once, If I maintain'd the truth; Or, else, was wrangling Somerset in the error? Suf 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. Som. Judge you, my lord of Warwick, then be tween us. War. |