But, O malignant and ill-boding stars!- 2 Therefore, dear boy, mount on my swiftest horse; John. Is my name Talbot? and am I your son? And shall I fly? O, if you love my mother, Dishonour not her honourable name, To make a bastard, and a slave of me: Tal. Fly, to revenge my death, if I be slain. Rather than life preserv'd with infamy. Tal. Shall all thy mother's hopes lie in one tomb? To a field where death will be feasted with slaughter. 2 For unavoidable. 3 Your care of your own safety. John. Ay, rather than I'll shame my mother's womb. Tal. Upon my blessing I command thee go. it. 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 sever'd from your side, Than can yourself yourself in twain divide: Stay, go, do what you will, the like do I; 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; [Excunt. SCENE VI. A Field of Battle. 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; gave thee life, and rescu'd thee from death. I John. O twice my father! twice am I thy son: It warm'd thy father's heart with proud desire Quicken'd with youthful spleen, and warlike rage, 4 Ended. And misbegotten blood 1 spill of thine, Mean and right poor; for that pure blood of mine, Came in strong rescue. Speak, thy father's care; To hazard all our lives in one small boat. John. The sword of Orleans hath not made me smart, These words of yours draw life-blood from my heart: (To save a paltry life, and slay bright fame,) 5 Like me, reduce me to a level with. Then talk no more of flight, it is no boot; If son to Talbot, die at Talbot's foot. Tal. Then follow thou thy desperate sire of Crete, Thou Icarus; thy life to me is sweet: If thou wilt fight, fight by thy father's side; And, commendable prov'd, let's die in pride. [Exeunt. SCENE VII. Another Part of the same. Alarum: Excursions. Enter TALBOT wounded, supported by a Servant. Tal. Where is my other life?-mine own is gone; O, where's young Talbot? where is valiant John?— Triumphant death, smear'd with captivity!" Young Talbot's valour makes me smile at thee :— When he perceiv'd me shrink, and on my knee, His bloody sword he brandish'd over me, And, like a hungry lion, did commence Rough deeds of rage, and stern impatience; But when my angry guardant stood alone, Tend'ring my ruin,' and assail'd of none, Dizzy-ey'd fury, and great rage of heart, Suddenly made him from my side to start Into the clust'ring battle of the French: And in that sea of blood my boy did drench His overmounting spirit; and there died My Icarus, my blossom, in his pride. 6 Death stained and dishonoured with captivity. |