York. Alas! what joys shall noble Talbot have, That sundered friends greet in the hour of death.- Maine, Blois, Poictiers, and Tours, are won away, Lucy. Thus, while the vulture of sedition Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders, The conquest of our scarce-cold conqueror, That ever-living man of memory, Henry the Fifth.-Whiles they each other cross, SCENE IV. Other Plains of Gascony. [Exit. [Exit. Enter SOMERSET, with his Forces; an Officer of TAL- Som. It is too late; I cannot send them now: Be buckled with the over-daring Talbot That, Talbot dead, great York might bear the name. Enter SIR WILLIAM LUCY. Som. How now, sir William? whither were you sent? Lucy. Whither, my lord? from bought and sold lord Talbot;1 1 This expression seems to have been proverbial; intimating that foul play had been used. Who, ringed about' with bold adversity, 2 Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs, Som. York set him on; York should have sent him aid. Lucy. And York as fast upon your grace exclaims; Swearing that you withhold his levied host, Collected for this expedition. Som. York lies; he might have sent and had the horse. I owe him little duty, and less love; And take foul scorn, to fawn on him by sending. Hath now entrapped the noble-minded Talbot. Som. Come, go; I will despatch the horsemen straight; Within six hours they will be at his aid. Lucy. Too late comes rescue; he is ta'en, or slain ; For fly he could not, if he would have fled; And fly would Talbot never, though he might. Lucy. His fame lives in the world, his shame in you. 1 Encircled, environed. [Exeunt. 2 Protracting his resistance by the advantage of a strong post. SCENE V. The English Camp near Bordeaux. Enter TALBOT and JOHN his Son Tal. O young John Talbot! I did send for thee, To tutor thee in stratagems of war; That Talbot's name might be in thee revived, Therefore, dear boy, mount on my swiftest horse; By sudden flight: come, dally not; begone. John. Is my name Talbot? and am I your son ! And shall I fly? O, if you love my mother, Dishonor not her honorable name, To make a bastard, and a slave of me; The world will say-He is not Talbot's blood, Tal. Fly, to revenge my death, if I be slain. 1 Unavoided for unavoidable. 2 Your care of your own safety. Tal. Shall all thy mother's hopes lie in one tomb? John. Ay, rather than I'll shame my mother's womb. Tal. Upon my blessing, I command thee go. John. Yes, your renowned name: shall flight abuse it? Tal. Thy father's charge shall clear thee from that stain. John. You cannot witness for me, being slain. If death be so apparent, then both fly. Tal. And leave my followers here, to fight, and die? My age was never tainted with such shame. John. And shall my youth be guilty of such blame? No more can I be severed from your side, Than can yourself yourself in twain divide ; For live I will not, if my father die. Tal. Then here I take my leave of thee, fair son, Born to eclipse thy life this afternoon. Come, side by side together live and die ; And soul with soul from France to heaven fly. SCENE VI. A Field of Battle. [Exeunt. Alarum: Excursions, wherein TALBOT's Son is hemmed about, and TALBOT rescues him. Tal. Saint George and victory! fight, soldiers, fight: The regent hath with Talbot broke his word, And left us to the rage of France his sword. Where is John Talbot?-Pause, and take thy breath; I gave thee life, and rescued thee from death. John. O, twice my father! twice am I thy son: It warmed thy father's heart with proud desire Mean and right poor; for that pure blood of mine, Came in strong rescue. Speak, thy father's care; By me they nothing gain, an if I stay; 'Tis but the shortening of my life one day: In thee thy mother dies, our household's name, My death's revenge, thy youth, and England's fame: All these, and more, we hazard by thy stay; All these are saved if thou wilt fly away. 1 Determined here must signify prescribed, limited, appointed. |