If we have entrance, (as, I hope, we shall,) That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them. 1 Sold. Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city, And we be lords and rulers over Roüen; Therefore we'll knock. Guard. [Within.] Qui est là? [Knocks, Puc. Paisans, pauvres gens de France: Poor market-folks, that come to sell their corn. Guard. Enter, go in; the market-bell is rung. [Opens the Gates. Puc. Now, Roüen, I'll shake thy bulwarks to the ground. [PUCELLE, &c. enter the City. Enter CHARLES, Bastard of Orleans, ALENÇON, and Forces. Char. Saint Dennis bless this happy stratagem! And once again we'll sleep secure in Roüen. Alen. By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower; Which, once discern'd, shows, that her meaning is,No way to that,' for weakness, which she enter'd. Enter LA PUCELLE on a Battlement: holding out a Torch burning. Puc. Behold, this is the happy wedding torch, That joineth Roüen unto her countrymen ; • Confederates in stratagems. 1 i. e. No way equal to that. But burning fatal to the Talbotites. Bast. See, noble Charles! the beacon of our friend, The burning torch in yonder turret stands. Char. Now shine it like a comet of revenge, A prophet to the fall of all our foes! Alen. Defer no time, Delays have dangerous ends; Enter, and cry-The Dauphin!-presently, And then do execution on the watch. [They enter. Alarums. Enter TALBOT, and certain English. Tal. France, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears, If Talbot but survive thy treachery. Pucelle, that witch, that damned sorceress, [Exeunt to the Town. Alarum: Excursions. Enter from the Town, BEDFORD, brought in sick, in a Chair, with TALBOT, BURGUNDY, and the English Forces. Then, enter on the Walls, LA PUCELLE, CHARLES, Bastard, ALENÇON, and Others. Puc. Good morrow, gallants! want ye corn for bread? I think, the duke of Burgundy will fast, Before he'll buy again at such a rate: 'Twas full of darnel; Do you like the taste? Bur. Scoff on, vile fiend, and shameless cour tezan! I trust, ere long, to choke thee with thine own, 2 Haughty power. Char. Your grace may starve, perhaps, before that time. Bed. O, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason! Puc. What will you do, good grey-beard? break a lance, And run a tilt at death within a chair? Tal. Foul fiend of France, and hag of all despite, Encompass'd with thy lustful paramours! Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age, Or else let Talbot perish with this shame. Puc. Are you so hot, sir?-Yet, Pucelle, hold thy peace; If Talbot do but thunder, rain will follow. [TALBOT, and the rest, consult together. God speed the parliament! who shall be the speaker? Tal. Dare ye come forth, and meet us in the field? Puc. Belike, your lordship takes us then for fools, To try if that our own be ours, or no. Tal. I speak not to that railing Hecaté, But unto thee, Alençon, and the rest; Will ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out? Tal. Signior, hang!-base muleteers of France! Like peasant foot-boys do they keep the walls, And dare not take up arms like gentlemen. Puc. Captains, away: let's get us from the walls; For Talbot means no goodness, by his looks.God be wi' you, my lord! we came, sir, but to tell you That we are here. [Excunt LA PUCELLE, &c. from the Walls. Tal. And there will we be too, ere it be long, And I, as sure as English Henry lives, As sure as in this late-betrayed town Bur. My vows are equal partners with thy vows. Bed. Lord Talbot, do not so dishonour me: Bur. Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you. Bed. Not to be gone from hence; for once I read, That stout Pendragon, in his litter, sick, Came to the field, and vanquished his foes: Tal. Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!- But gather we our forces out of hand, And set upon our boasting enemy. [Exeunt BURGUNDY, TALBOT, and Forces, leaving BEDFORD, and Others. Alarums: Excursions. Enter Sir JOHN FASTOLFE, and a Captain. Cap. Whither away, sir John Fastolfe, in such haste? Fust. Whither away? to save myself by flight; We are like to have the overthrow again. Cap. What! will you fly, and leave lord Talbot? Fast. Ay, All the Talbots in the world to save my life. [Exit. Cap. Cowardly knight! ill fortune follow thee! Retreat: Excursions. [Exit. Enter from the Town, LA PUCELLE, ALENÇON, CHARLES, &c. and Exeunt, flying. Bed. Now, quiet soul, depart when heaven please; For I have seen our enemies' overthrow. What is the trust or strength of foolish man? [Dies, and is carried off in his Chair. Alarum: Enter TALBOT, BURGUNDY, and Others. Bur, Warlike and martial Talbot, Burgundy Tal. Thanks, gentle duke. But where is Pucelle now? |