I see no reason, if I wear this rose,

[Putting on a red Rose.
That any one should therefore be suspicious
I more incline to Somerset, than York:
Both are my kinsmen, and I love them both :
As well they may upbraid me with my crown,
Because, forsooth, the king of Scots is crown'd.
But your discretions better can persuade,
Than I am able to instruct or teach :

And therefore, as we hither came in peace,
So let us still continue peace and love.-
Cousin of York, we institute your grace
To be our regent in these parts of France :-
And good my lord of Somerset, unite

Your troop of horsemen with his bands of foot;→→→
And, like true subjects, sons of your progenitors,
Go cheerfully together, and digest

Your angry choler on your enemies.

Ourself, my lord protector, and the rest,
After some respite, will return to Calais;
From thence to England; where I hope ere long
To be presented, by your victories,

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170

With Charles, Alençon, and that traiterous rout. [Flourish. Exeunt.

Manent YORK, WARWICK, EXETER, and VERNON,

War. My lord of York, I promise you, the king Prettily, methought, did play the orator.

York. And so he did; but yet I like it not,

In that he wears the badge of Somerset.

War.

War. Tush! that was but his fancy, blame him not I dare presume, sweet prince, he thought no harm. York. And, if I wist, he did—But let it rest; Other affairs must now be managed.

Manet EXETER.

[Exeunt.

Exe. Well didst thou, Richard, to suppress thy

voice:

For, had the passion of thy heart burst out,

I fear, we should have seen decypher'd there

182

More rancorous spight, more furious raging broils,
Than yet can be imagin'd or suppos'd.

But howsoe'er, no simple man that sees
This jarring discord of nobility,

This factious bandying of their favourites,

But that he doth presage some ill event.

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'Tis much, when sceptres are in children's hands;

But more, when envy breeds unkind division;
There comes the ruin, there begins confusion. [Exit.

SCENE II.

Before the Walls of Bourdeaux.

Enter TALBOT, with

Trumpets and Drum.

Tal. Go to the gates of Bourdeaux, trumpeter, Summon their general unto the wall.

[Sounds.

Enter

Enter General aloft.

English John Talbot, captains, calls you forth,
Servant in arms to Harry king of England;
And thus he would-Open your city gates,
Be humbled to us; call my sovereign yours,
And do him homage as obedient subjects,
And I'll withdraw me and my bloody power:
But, if you frown upon this proffer'd peace,
You tempt the fury of my three attendants,
Lean famine, quartering steel, and climbing fire ;
Who, in a moment, even with the earth
Shall lay your stately and air-braving towers,
If you forsake the offer of their love.

Gen. Thou ominous and fearful owl of death,
Our nation's terror, and their bloody scourge !
The period of thy tyranny approacheth.
On us thou canst not enter, but by death:
For, I protest we are well fortify'd,
And strong enough to issue out and fight :
If thou retire, the dauphin, well appointed,
Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee:
On either hand thee there are squadrons pitch'd,
To wall thee from the liberty of flight;
And no way canst thou turn thee for redress,
But death doth front thee with apparent spoil,
And pale destruction meets thee in the face.
Ten thousand French have ta'en the sacrament,
To rive their dangerous artillery

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210

220

Upon no Christian soul but English Talbot.

Lol

Lo! there thou stand'st, a breathing valiant man,
Of an invincible unconquer'd spirit :

This is the latest glory of thy praise,

That I, thy enemy, due thee withal;
For ere the glass, that now begins to run,
Finish the process of his sandy hour,

These eyes, that see thee now well coloured,

Shall see thee wither'd, bloody, pale, and dead.

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[Drum afar off.

Hark! hark! the dauphin's drum, a warning bell, Sings heavy musick to thy timorous soul;

And mine shall ring thy dire departure out.

[Exit from the Walls.

Tal. He fables not, I hear the enemy;—

Out, some light horsemen, and peruse their wings.-
O, negligent and heedless discipline !

How are we park'd, and bounded in a pale';
A little herd of England's timorous deer,
Maz'd with a yelping kennel of French curs!
If we be English deer, be then in blood:
Not rascal-like, to fall down with a pinch;
But rather moody-mad, and desperate stags,
Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel,
And make the cowards stand aloof at bay :
Sell every man his life as dear as mine,

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And they shall find dear deer of us, my friends.God, and saint George! Talbot, and England's right! Prosper our colours in this dangerous fight. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

Another Part of France. Enter a Messenger, meeting YORK, who enters with a Trumpet, and many Soldiers.

York. Are not the speedy scouts return'd again, That dogg'd the mighty army of the dauphin?

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Mess. They are return'd, my lord; and give it out, That he is march'd to Bourdeaux with his power, To fight with Talbot: As he march'd along, By your espials were discovered

Two mightier troops than that the dauphin led;

Which join'd with him, and made their march for

Bourdeaux.

York. A plague upon that villain Somerset ;

That thus delays my promised supply

Of horsemen, that were levied for this siege ! 260
Renowned Talbot doth expect my aid;

And I am lowted by a traitor villain,
And cannot help the noble chevalier :
God comfort him in this necessity!
If he miscarry, farewel wars in France.

Enter Sir WILLIAM LUCY.

Lucy. Thou princely leader of our English strength, Never so needful on the earth of France,

Spur to the rescue of the noble Talbot;
Who now is girdled with a waist of iron,

And