Scene III. The plains near Rouen. Enter Charles, the Bastard of Orleans, Alençon, Puc. Dismay not, princes, at this accident, . For things that are not to be remedied. Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while And like a peacock sweep along his tail; One sudden foil shall never breed distrust. Bast. Search out thy wit for secret policies, And we will make thee famous through the world. Alen. We'll set thy statue in some holy place, And have thee reverenced like a blessed saint: To leave the Talbot and to follow us. Alen. For ever should they be expulsed from France, Puc. Your honours shall perceive how I will work ΙΟ 20 To bring this matter to the wished end. [Drum sounds afar off. Hark! by the sound of drum you may perceive Here sound an English march. Enter, and pass over at a distance, Talbot and his forces. There goes the Talbot, with his colours spread, 30 French march. Enter the Duke of Burgundy and forces. Now in the rearward comes the duke and his : [Trumpets sound a parley. Char. A parley with the Duke of Burgundy! Bur. Who craves a parley with the Burgundy? Puc. The princely Charles of France, thy countryman. Bur. What say'st thou, Charles? for I am marching hence. Char. Speak, Pucelle, and enchant him with thy words. 40 Puc. Brave Burgundy, undoubted hope of France! Stay, let thy humble handmaid speak to thee. Bur. Speak on; but be not over-tedious. Puc. Look on thy country, look on fertile France, By wasting ruin of the cruel foe. As looks the mother on her lowly babe 50 Strike those that hurt, and hurt not those that help. And wash away thy country's stained spots. Puc. Besides, all French and France exclaims on thee, 60 Doubting thy birth and lawful progeny. Who join'st thou with but with a lordly nation That will not trust thee but for profit's sake? When Talbot hath set footing once in France And fashion'd thee that instrument of ill, Who then but English Henry will be lord, And thou be thrust out like a fugitive? Call we to mind, and mark but this for proof, Was not the Duke of Orleans thy foe? And was he not in England prisoner? But when they heard he was thine enemy, They set him free without his ransom paid, In spite of Burgundy and all his friends. See, then, thou fight'st against thy countrymen And join'st with them will be thy slaughter-men. Come, come, return; return, thou wandering lord; Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms. Bur. I am vanquished; these haughty words of hers Have batter'd me like roaring cannon-shot, And made me almost yield upon my knees. Forgive me, country, and sweet countrymen, And, lords, accept this hearty kind embrace: My forces and my power of men are yours: So farewell, Talbot; I'll no longer trust thee. 70 80 Puc. [Aside] Done like a Frenchman: turn, and turn again! Char. Welcome, brave duke! thy friendship makes us fresh. Bast. And doth beget new courage in our breasts. Alen. Pucelle hath bravely play'd her part in this, And doth deserve a coronet of gold. Char. Now let us on, my lords, and join our powers, 90 And seek how we may prejudice the foe. Scene IV. Paris. The palace. [Exeunt. Enter the King, Gloucester, Bishop of Winchester, York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Exeter: Vernon, Basset, and others. To them with his Soldiers, Talbot. Tal. My gracious prince, and honourable peers, I have awhile given truce unto my wars, In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaim'd Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength, ΙΟ [Kneels. Lets fall his sword before your highness' feet, When I was young, as yet I am not old, Or been reguerdon'd with so much as thanks, 20 [Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Vernon and Basset. Ver. Now, sir, to you, that were so hot at sea, Disgracing of these colours that I wear In honour of my noble Lord of York: 30 Darest thou maintain the former words thou spakest? Bas. Yes, sir; as well as you dare patronage The envious barking of your saucy tongue Ver. Sirrah, thy lord I honour as he is. [Strikes him. 4I [Exeunt. |