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KING HENRY VIFIRST PART

by William Shakespeare

Dramatis Personae

KING HENRY the Sixth
DUKE OF GLOUCESTERuncle to the Kingand Protector
DUKE OF BEDFORDuncle to the Kingand Regent of France
THOMAS BEAUFORTDuke of Exetergreat-uncle to the King
HENRY BEAUFORTgreat-uncle to the KingBishop of Winchester

and afterwards Cardinal
JOHN BEAUFORTEarlafterwards Dukeof Somerset
RICHARD PLANTAGENETson of Richardlate Earl of Cambridge

afterwards Duke of York
EARL OF WARWICK
EARL OF SALISBURY
EARL OF SUFFOLK
LORD TALBOTafterwards Earl of Shrewbury
JOHN TALBOThis son
EDMUND MORTIMEREarl of March
SIR JOHN FASTOLFE
SIR WILLIAM LUCY
SIR WILLIAM GLANSDALE
SIR THOMAS GARGRAVE
Mayor of London
WOODVILELieutenant of the Tower
VERNONof the White-Rose or York faction
BASSETof the Red-Rose or Lancaster faction
A LawyerMortimer's Keepers

CHARLESDauphinand afterwards Kingof France
REIGNIERDuke of Anjouand titular King of Naples
DUKE OF BURGUNDY
DUKE OF ALENCON
BASTARD OF ORLEANS
Governor of Paris
Master-Gunner of Orleans and his Son
General of the French forces in Bordeaux
A French Sergeant A Porter
An old Shepherdfather to Joan la Pucelle

MARGARETdaughter to Reignierafterwards married to

King Henry
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE
JOAN LA PUCELLECommonly called Joan of Arc

LordsWarders of the TowerHeraldsOfficersSoldiers
Messengersand Attendants

Fiends appearing to La Pucelle

SCENE: Partly in Englandand partly in France


The First Part of King Henry VI

ACT FIRST

SCENE I

Westminster Abbey.

Dead March. Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifthattended
on
by the Duke of BedfordRegent of France; the Duke of Gloucester
Protector; the Duke of Exeterthe Earl of Warwickthe Bishop of


WinchesterHeralds&c.


BEDFORD.
Hung be the heavens with blackyield day to night!
Cometsimporting change of times and states
Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky
And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
That have consented unto Henry's death!
King Henry the Fifthtoo famous to live long!
England ne'er lost a king of so much worth.


GLOUCESTER.
England ne'er had a king until his time.
Virtue he haddeserving to command:
His brandish'd sword did blind men with his beams:
His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings;
His sparkling eyesreplete with wrathful fire
More dazzled and drove back his enemies
Than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces.
What should I say? his deeds exceed all speech:
He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered.


EXETER.
We mourn in black: why mourn we not in blood?
Henry is dead and never shall revive:
Upon a wooden coffin we attend
And death's dishonourable victory
We with our stately presence glorify
Like captives bound to a triumphant car.
What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
Conjurers and sorcerersthat afraid of him
By magic verses have contriv'd his end?


WINCHESTER.
He was a king bless'd of the King of kings;
Unto the French the dreadful judgment-day
So dreadful will not be as was his sight.
The battles of the Lord of hosts he fought:
The Church's prayers made him so prosperous.


GLOUCESTER.
The church! where is it? Had not churchmen pray'd
His thread of life had not so soon decay'd:
None do you like but an effeminate prince
Whomlike a school-boyyou may over-awe.


WINCHESTER.



Gloucesterwhate'er we likethou art Protector
And lookest to command the Prince and realm.
Thy wife is proud; she holdeth thee in awe
More than God or religious churchmen may.


GLOUCESTER.
Name not religionfor thou lov'st the flesh
And ne'er throughout the year to church thou go'st
Except it be to pray against thy foes.


BEDFORD.
Ceasecease these jars and rest your minds in peace:
Let's to the altar: heraldswait on us:
Instead of goldwe'll offer up our arms;
Since arms avail notnow that Henry's dead.
Posterityawait for wretched years
When at their mothers' moist eyes babes shall suck
Our isle be made a marish of salt tears
And none but women left to wail the dead.
Henry the Fifththy ghost I invocate:
Prosper this realmkeep it from civil broils
Combat with adverse planets in the heavens!
A far more glorious star thy soul will make
Than Julius Caesar or bright--


[Enter a Messenger.]


MESSENGER.
My honourable lordshealth to you all!
Sad tidings bring I to you out of France
Of lossof slaughterand discomfiture:
GuienneChampagneRheimsOrleans
ParisGuysorsPoictiersare all quite lost.


BEDFORD.
What say'st thoumanbefore dead Henry's corse?
Speak softly; or the loss of those great towns
Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.


GLOUCESTER.
Is Paris lost? Is Rouen yielded up
If Henry were recall'd to life again
These news would cause him once more yield the ghost.


EXETER.
How were they lost? What treachery was us'd?


MESSENGER.
No treachery; but want of men and money.
Amongst the soldiers this is muttered
That here you maintain several factions
And whilst a field should be dispatch'd and fought
You are disputing of your generals:
One would have lingering wars with little cost;
Another would fly swiftbut wanteth wings;
A third thinkswithout expense at all
By guileful fair words peace may be obtain'd.
AwakeawakeEnglish nobility!
Let not sloth dim your honours new-begot:
Cropp'd are the flower-de-luces in your arms;
Of England's coat one half is cut away.


EXETER.
Were our tears wanting to this funeral



These tidings would call forth their flowing tides.


BEDFORD.
Me they concern; Regent I am of France.
Give me my steeled coat. I'll fight for France.
Away with these disgraceful wailing robes!
Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes
To weep their intermissive miseries.


[Enter to them another Messenger.]


MESSENGER.
Lordsview these letters full of bad mischance.
France is revolted from the English quite
Except some petty towns of no import:
The Dauphin Charles is crowned king in Rheims;
The Bastard of Orleans with him is join'd;
ReignierDuke of Anjoudoth take his part;
The Duke of Alencon flieth to his side.


EXETER.
The Dauphin crowned king! all fly to him!
Owhither shall we fly from this reproach?


GLOUCESTER.
We will not flybut to our enemies' throats.
Bedfordif thou be slackI'll fight it out.


BEDFORD.
Gloucesterwhy doubt'st thou of my forwardness?
An army have I muster'd in my thoughts
Wherewith already France is overrun.


[Enter another Messenger.]


MESSENGER.
My gracious lordsto add to your laments
Wherewith you now bedew King Henry's hearse
I must inform you of a dismal fight
Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.


WINCHESTER.
What! wherein Talbot overcame? is't so?


MESSENGER.
Ono; wherein Lord Talbot was o'erthrown:
The circumstance I'll tell you more at large.
The tenth of August last this dreadful lord
Retiring from the siege of Orleans
Having full scarce six thousand in his troop
By three and twenty thousand of the French
Was round encompassed and set upon.
No leisure had he to enrank his men;
He wanted pikes to set before his archers;
Instead whereof sharp stakes pluck'd out of hedges
They pitched in the ground confusedly
To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.
More than three hours the fight continued;
Where valiant Talbot above human thought
Enacted wonders with his sword and lance:
Hundreds he sent to helland none durst stand him;
Herethereand every whereenrag'd he slew:
The French exclaim'dthe devil was in arms;
All the whole army stood agaz'd on him.



His soldiers spying his undaunted spirit
A Talbot! a Talbot! cried out amain
And rush'd into the bowels of the battle.
Here had the conquest fully been seal'd up
If Sir John Fastolfe had not play'd the coward.
Hebeing in the vawardplac'd behind
With purpose to relieve and follow them
Cowardly flednot having struck one stroke.
Hence grew the general wreck and massacre;
Enclosed were they with their enemies:
A base Walloonto win the Dauphin's grace
Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back;
Whom all France with their chief assembled strength
Durst not presume to look once in the face.


BEDFORD.
Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself
For living idly here in pomp and ease
Whilst such a worthy leaderwanting aid
Unto his dastard foemen is betray'd.


MESSENGER.
O nohe lives; but is took prisoner
And Lord Scales with himand Lord Hungerford:
Most of the rest slaughter'd or took likewise.


BEDFORD.
His ransom there is none but I shall pay:
I'll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne:
His crown shall be the ransom of my friend;
Four of their lords I'll change for one of ours.
Farewellmy masters; to my task will I;
Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make
To keep our great Saint George's feast withal:
Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take
Whose bloody deeds shall make an Europe quake.


MESSENGER.
So you had need; for Orleans is besieg'd;
The English army is grown weak and faint:
The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply
And hardly keeps his men from mutiny
Since theyso fewwatch such a multitude.


EXETER.
Rememberlordsyour oaths to Henry sworn
Either to quell the Dauphin utterly
Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.


BEDFORD.
I do remember itand here take my leave
To go about my preparation.


[Exit.]


GLOUCESTER.
I'll to the Tower with all the haste I can
To view the artillery and munition;
And then I will proclaim young Henry king.


[Exit.]


EXETER.
To Eltham will Iwhere the young King is



Being ordain'd his special governor;
And for his safety there I'll best devise.


[Exit.]


WINCHESTER.
Each hath his place and function to attend:
I am left out; for me nothing remains.
But long I will not be Jack out of office:
The King from Eltham I intend to steal
And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE II.


France. Before Orleans


[Sound a Flourish. Enter CharlesAlenconand Reignier
marching with Drum and Soldiers.]


CHARLES.
Mars his true movingeven as in the heavens
So in the earthto this day is not known:
Late did he shine upon the English side;
Now we are victors; upon us he smiles.
What towns of any moment but we have?
At pleasure here we lie near Orleans;
Otherwhiles the famish'd Englishlike pale ghosts
Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.


ALENCON.
They want their porridge and their fat bull beeves
Either they must be dieted like mules
And have their provender tied to their mouths
Or piteous they will looklike drowned mice.


REIGNIER.
Let's raise the siege: why live we idly here?
Talbot is takenwhom we wont to fear:
Remaineth none but mad-brain'd Salisbury;
And he may well in fretting spend his gall
Nor men nor money hath he to make war.


CHARLES.
Soundsound alarum! we will rush on them.
Now for the honour of the forlorn French!
Him I forgive my death that killeth me
When he sees me go back one foot or flee.


[Exeunt.]


Here alarum; they are beaten back by the Englishwith
great loss. Re-enter CharlesAlenconand Reignier.


CHARLES.
Who ever saw the like? what men have I!
Dogs! cowards! dastards! I would ne'er have fled
But that they left me 'midst my enemies.


REIGNIER.
Salisbury is a desperate homicide;



He fighteth as one weary of his life.
The other lordslike lions wanting food
Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.


ALENCON.
Froissarta countryman of oursrecords
England all Olivers and Rowlands bred
During the time Edward the Third did reign.
More truly now may this be verified;
For none but Samsons and Goliases
It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten!
Lean raw-bon'd rascals! who would e'er suppose
They had such courage and audacity?


CHARLES.
Let's leave this town; for they are hare-brain'd slaves
And hunger will enforce them to be more eager:
Of old I know them; rather with their teeth
The walls they'll tear down than forsake the siege.


REIGNIER.
I think by some odd gimmors or device
Their arms are set like clocksstill to strike on;
Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do.
By my consentwe'll even let them alone.


ALENCON.
Be it so.


[Enter the Bastard of Orleans.]


BASTARD.
Where's the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.


CHARLES.
Bastard of Orleansthrice welcome to us.


BASTARD.
Methinks your looks are sadyour cheer appall'd:
Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?
Be not dismay'dfor succour is at hand:
A holy maid hither with me I bring
Which by a vision sent to her from heaven
Ordained is to raise this tedious siege
And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
The spirit of deep prophecy she hath
Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome:
What's past and what's to come she can descry.
Speakshall I call her in? Believe my words
For they are certain and unfallible.


CHARLES.
Gocall her in. [Exit Bastard.]
But firstto try her skill
Reignierstand thou as Dauphin in my place;
Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern:
By this means shall we sound what skill she hath.


[Re-enter the Bastard of Orleanswith Joan La Pucelle.]


REIGNIER.
Fair maidis 't thou wilt do these wondrous feats?


PUCELLE.



Reignier is 't thou that thinkest to beguile me?
Where is the Dauphin? Comecome from behind;
I know thee wellthough never seen before.
Be not amazedthere's nothing hid from me.
In private will I talk with thee apart.
Stand backyou lordsand give us leave awhile.


REIGNIER.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.


PUCELLE.
DauphinI am by birth a shepherd's daughter
My wit untrain'd in any kind of art.
Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
To shine on my contemptible estate:
Lowhilst I waited on my tender lambs
And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks
God's mother deigned to appear to me
And in a vision full of majesty
Will'd me to leave my base vocation
And free my country from calamity:
Her aid she promised and assured success:
In complete glory she reveal'd herself;
Andwhereas I was black and swart before
With those clear rays which she infused on me
That beauty am I bless'd with which you may see.
Ask me what question thou canst possible
And I will answer unpremeditated:
My courage try by combatif thou dar'st
And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
Resolve on thisthou shalt be fortunate
If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.


CHARLES.
Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms;
Only this proof I 'll of thy valour make
In single combat thou shalt buckle with me
And if thou vanquishestthy words are true;
Otherwise I renounce all confidence.


PUCELLE.
I am prepared: here is my keen-edg'd sword
Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side
The which at Tourainein Saint Katharine's church-yard
Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth.


CHARLES.
Then comeo' God's name; I fear no woman.


PUCELLE.
And while I liveI 'll ne'er fly from a man.
Here they fightand Joan La Pucelle overcomes.


CHARLES.
Staystay thy hands; thou art an Amazon
And fightest with the sword of Deborah.


PUCELLE.
Christ's Mother helps meelse I were too weak.


CHARLES.
Whoe'er helps thee'tis thou that must help me:
Impatiently I burn with thy desire;
My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.



Excellent Pucelleif thy name be so
Let me thy servant and not sovereign be:
'Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus.


PUCELLE.
I must not yield to any rites of love
For my profession's sacred from above:
When I have chased all thy foes from hence
Then will I think upon a recompense.


CHARLES.
Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall.


REIGNIER.
My lordmethinksis very long in talk.


ALENCON.
Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock;
Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.


REIGNIER.
Shall we disturb himsince he keeps no mean?


ALENCON.
He may mean more than we poor men do know:
These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.


REIGNIER.
My lordwhere are you? what devise you on?
Shall we give over Orleansor no?


PUCELLE.
WhynoI say; distrustful recreants!
Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard.


CHARLES.
What she says I'll confirm: we'll fight it out:


PUCELLE.
Assign'd am I to be the English scourge.
This night the siege assuredly I 'll raise:
Expect Saint Martin's summerhalcyon days
Since I have entered into these wars.
Glory is like a circle in the water
Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself
Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought.
With Henry's death the English circle ends;
Dispersed are the glories it included.
Now am I like that proud insulting ship
Which Caesar and his fortune bare at once.


CHARLES.
Was Mahomet inspired with a dove?
Thou with an eagle art inspired then.
Helenthe mother of great Constantine
Nor yet Saint Philip's daughterswere like thee.
Bright star of Venusfall'n down on the earth
How may I reverently worship thee enough?


ALENCON.
Leave off delaysand let us raise the siege.


REIGNIER.
Womando what thou canst to save our honors;



Drive them from Orleans and be immortalized.


CHARLES.
Presently we 'll try: comelet's away about it:
No prophet will I trustif she prove false.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE III.


London. Before the Tower.


[Enter the Duke of Gloucesterwith his Serving-men
in blue coats.]


GLOUCESTER.
I am come to survey the Tower this day:
Since Henry's deathI fearthere is conveyance.
Where be these warders that they wait not here?
Open the gates; 'tis Gloucester that calls.


FIRST WARDER.
[Within] Who's there that knocks so imperiously?


FIRST SERVING-MAN.
It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.


SECOND WARDER.
[Within] Whoe'er he beyou may not be let in.


FIRST SERVING-MAN.
Villainsanswer you so the lord protector?


FIRST WARDER.
[Within] The Lord protect him! so we answer him:
We do no otherwise than we are will'd.


GLOUCESTER.
Who willed you? or whose will stands but mine?
There's none protector of the realm but I.
Break up the gatesI 'll be your warrantize:
Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
Gloucester's men rush at the Tower Gatesand Woodvile the
Lieutenant speaks within.


WOODVILE.
What noise is this? what traitors have we here?


GLOUCESTER.
Lieutenantis it you whose voice I hear?
Open the gates; here's Gloucester that would enter.


WOODVILE.
Have patiencenoble duke; I may not open;
The Cardinal of Winchester forbids:
From him I have express commandment
That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.


GLOUCESTER.
Faint-hearted Woodvileprizest him 'fore me?
Arrogant Winchesterthat haughty prelate
Whom Henryour late sovereignne'er could brook?



Thou art no friend to God or to the King.
Open the gatesor I 'll shut thee out shortly.


SERVING-MEN.
Open the gates unto the lord protector
Or we 'll burst them openif that you come not quickly.


[Enter to the Protector at the Tower Gates Winchester
and his men in tawny coats.]


WINCHESTER.
How nowambitious Humphry! what means this?


GLOUCESTER.
Peel'd priestdost thou command me to be shut out?


WINCHESTER.
I dothou most usurping proditor
And not protectorof the king or realm.


GLOUCESTER.
Stand backthou manifest conspirator
Thou that contrivedst to murder our dead lord;
Thou that givest whores indulgences to sin:
I 'll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal's hat
If thou proceed in this thy insolence.


WINCHESTER.
Naystand thou back; I will not budge a foot:
This be Damascusbe thou cursed Cain
To slay thy brother Abelif thou wilt.


GLOUCESTER.
I will not slay theebut I 'll drive thee back:
Thy scarlet robes as a child's bearing-cloth
I 'll use to carry thee out of this place.


WINCHESTER.
Do what thou darest; I beard thee to thy face.


GLOUCESTER.
What! am I dared and bearded to my face?
Drawmenfor all this privileged place;
Blue coats to tawny coats. Priestbeware your beard;
I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly:
Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat:
In spite of pope or dignities of church
Here by the cheeks I 'll drag thee up and down.


WINCHESTER.
Gloucesterthou wilt answer this before the
pope.


GLOUCESTER.
Winchester gooseI crya rope! a rope!


Now beat them hence; why do you let them stay?
Thee I 'll chase hencethou wolf in sheep's array.
Outtawny coats! outscarlet hypocrite!
Here Gloucester's men beat out the Cardinal's
menand enter in the hurly-burly the Mayor of
London and his Officers.



MAYOR.
Fielords! that youbeing supreme magistrates
Thus contumeliously should break the peace!


GLOUCESTER.
Peacemayor! thou know'st little of my wrongs:
Here's Beaufortthat regards nor God nor king
Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use.


WINCHESTER.
Here's Gloucestera foe to citizens
One that still motions war and never peace
O'ercharging your free purses with large fines
That seeks to overthrow religion
Because he is protector of the realm
And would have armour here out of the Tower
To crown himself king and suppress the prince.


GLOUCESTER.
I will not answer thee with wordsbut blows.
Here they skirmish again.


MAYOR.
Nought rests for me in this tumultuous strife
But to make open proclamation:
Comeofficer; as loud as e'er thou canst:
Cry.


OFFICER.
All manner of men assembled here in arms
this day against God's peace and the king'swe charge
and command youin his highness' nameto repair to
your several dwelling-places; and not to wearhandleor
use any swordweaponor daggerhenceforwardupon
pain of death.


GLOUCESTER.
CardinalI 'll be no breaker of the law;
But we shall meetand break our minds at large.


WINCHESTER.
Gloucesterwe will meet; to thy costbe sure;
Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work.


MAYOR.
I 'll call for clubsif you will not away.
This Cardinal's more haughty than the devil.


GLOUCESTER.
Mayorfarewell: thou dost but what thou mayst.


WINCHESTER.
Abominable Gloucesterguard thy head;
For I intend to have it ere long.


[ExeuntseverallyGloucester and Winchester with their
Serving-men.]


MAYOR.
See the coast clear'dand then we will depart.
Good Godthese nobles should such stomachs bear!
I myself fight not once in forty year.


[Exeunt.]



SCENE IV. Orleans.

[Enteron the wallsa Master Gunner and his Boy.]

MASTER GUNNER.
Sirrahthou know'st how Orleans is besieged
And how the English have the suburbs won.


BOY.
FatherI know; and oft have shot at them
Howe'er unfortunate I miss'd my aim.


MASTER GUNNER.
But now thou shalt not. Be thou ruled by me:
Chief master-gunner am I of this town;
Something I must do to procure me grace.
The prince's espials have informed me
How the Englishin the suburbs close intrench'd
Wont through a secret grate of iron bars
In yonder tower to overpeer the city
And thence discover how with most advantage
They may vex us with shot or with assault.
To intercept this inconvenience
A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have placed;
And even these three days have I watch'd
If I could see them.
Now do thou watchfor I can stay no longer.
If thou spy'st anyrun and bring me word;
And thou shalt find me at the governor's.


[Exit.]


BOY.
FatherI warrant you; take you no care;
I'll never trouble youif I may spy them.


[Exit.]


[Enteron the turretsthe Lords Salisbury and Talbot
Sir William GlansdaleSir Thomas Gargraveand others.]


SALISBURY.
Talbotmy lifemy joyagain return'd!
How wert thou handled being prisoner?
Or by what means got'st thou to be releas'd?
DiscourseI pritheeon this turret's top.


TALBOT.
The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner
Call'd the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles;
For him was I exchanged and ransomed.
But with a baser man of arms by far
Once in contempt they would have barter'd me:
Which I disdaining scorn'dand craved death
Rather than I would be so vile-esteem'd.
In fineredeem'd I was as I desired.
ButO! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart
Whom with my bare fists I would execute
If I now had him brought into my power.


SALISBURY.



Yet tell'st thou not how thou wert entertain'd.


TALBOT.
With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts.
In open market-place produced they me
To be a public spectacle to all:
Heresaid theyis the terror of the French
The scarecrow that affrights our children so.
Then broke I from the officers that led me
And with my nails digg'd stones out of the ground
To hurl at the beholders of my shame;
My grisly countenance made others fly;
None durst come near for fear of sudden death.
In iron walls they deem'd me not secure;
So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread
That they supposed I could rend bars of steel
And spurn in pieces posts of adamant:
Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had
That walk'd about me every minute while;
And if I did but stir out of my bed
Ready they were to shoot me to the heart.


[Enter the Boy with a linstock.]


SALISBURY.
I grieve to hear what torments you endured
But we will be revenged sufficiently.
Now it is supper-time in Orleans:
Herethrough this grateI count each one
And view the Frenchmen how they fortify:
Let us look in; the sight will much delight thee.
Sir Thomas Gargrave and Sir William Glansdale
Let me have your express opinions
Where is best place to make our battery next.


GARGRAVE.
I thinkat the north gate; for there stand lords.


GLANSDALE.
And Ihereat the bulwark of the bridge.


TALBOT.
For aught I seethis city must be famish'd
Or with light skirmishes enfeebled.


[Here they shoot. Salisbury and Gargrave fall.]


SALISBURY.
O Lordhave mercy on uswretched sinners!


GARGRAVE.
O Lordhave mercy on mewoful man!


TALBOT.
What chance is this that suddenly hath cross'd us?
SpeakSalisbury: at leastif thou canst speak:
How farest thoumirror of all martial men?
One of thy eyes and thy cheek's side struck off!
Accursed tower! accursed fatal hand
That hath contrived this woful tragedy!
In thirteen battles Salisbury o'ercame;
Henry the Fifth he first train'd to the wars;
Whilst any trump did soundor drum struck up
His sword did ne'er leave striking in the field.



Yet liv'st thouSalisbury? though thy speech doth fail
One eye thou hastto look to heaven for grace:
The sun with one eye vieweth all the world.
Heavenbe thou gracious to none alive
If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands!
Bear hence his body; I will help to bury it
Sir Thomas Gargravehast thou any life?
Speak unto Talbot; naylook up to him.
Salisburycheer thy spirit with this comfort
Thou shalt not die whiles--
He beckons with his hand and smiles on me
As who should say 'When I am dead and gone
Remember to avenge me on the French.'
PlantagenetI will; and like theeNero
Play on the lutebeholding the towns burn;
Wretched shall France be only in thy name.


[Here an alarumand it thunders and lightens. ]


What stir is this? what tumult's in the heavens?
Whence cometh this alarum and the noise?


[Enter a Messenger.]


MESSENGER.
My lordmy lordthe French have gather'd head:
The Dauphinwith one Joan la Pucelle join'd
A holy prophetess new risen up
Is come with a great power to raise the siege.


[Here SALISBURY lifteth himself up and groans.]


TALBOT.
Hearhear how dying Salisbury doth groan!
It irks his heart he cannot be revenged.
FrenchmenI 'll be a Salisbury to you:
Pucelle or puzzeldolphin or dogfish
Your hearts I 'll stamp out with my horse's heels
And make a quagmire of your mingled brains.
Convey me Salisbury into his tent
And then we 'll try what these dastard Frenchmen dare.


[Alarum. Exeunt.]


SCENE V. The same.


[Here an alarum again: and Talbot pursueth the
Dauphinand driveth him: then enter Joan La Pucelle
driving Englishmen before herand exit after them:
then re-enter Talbot.]


TALBOT.
Where is my strengthmy valorand my force?
Our English troops retireI cannot stay them:
A woman clad in armour chaseth them.


[Re-enter La Pucelle.]


Herehere she comes. I 'll have a bout with thee;
Devil or devil's damI 'll conjure thee:
Blood will I draw on theethou art a witch
And straightway give thy soul to him thou servest.



PUCELLE.
Comecome'tis only I that must disgrace thee.


[Here they fight.]


TALBOT.
Heavenscan you suffer hell so to prevail?
My breast I 'll burst with straining of my courage
And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder
But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet.


[They fight again.]


PUCELLE.
Talbotfarewell; thy hour is not yet come:
I must go victual Orleans forthwith.


[A short alarum: then enter the town with soldiers.]


O'ertake meif thou canst; I scorn thy strength.
Gogocheer up thy hungry-starved men;
Help Salisbury to make his testament:
This day is oursas many more shall be.


[Exit.]


TALBOT.
My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel;
I know not where I amnor what I do;
A witchby fearnot forcelike Hannibal
Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists.
So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench
Are from their hives and houses driven away.
They call'd us for our fierceness English dogs;
Nowlike to whelpswe crying run away.


[A short alarum.]


Harkcountrymen! either renew the fight
Or tear the lions out of England's coat;
Renounce your soilgive sheep in lions' stead:
Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf
Or horse or oxen from the leopard
As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves.


[Alarum. Here another skirmish.]


It will not be: retire into your trenches:
You all consented unto Salisbury's death
For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.
Pucelle is ent'red into Orleans
In spite of us or aught that we could do.
Owould I were to die with Salisbury!
The shame hereof will make me hide my head.


[Exit Talbot. Alarum; retreat; flourish.]


SCENE VI. The Same.


[Enteron the wallsLa PucelleCharles
ReignierAlenconand Soldiers.]



PUCELLE.
Advance our waving colours on the walls;
Rescued is Orleans from the English:
Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word.


CHARLES.
Divinest creatureAstraea's daughter
How shall I honour thee for this success?
Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens
That one day bloom'd and fruitful were the next.
Francetriumph in thy glorious prophetess!
Recover'd is the town of Orleans.
More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state.


REIGNIER.
Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town?
Dauphincommand the citizens make bonfires
And feast and banquet in the open streets
To celebrate the joy that God hath given us.


ALENCON.
All France will be replete with mirth and joy
When they shall hear how we have play'd the men.


CHARLES.
'Tis Joannot weby whom the day is won;
For which I will divide my crown with her;
And all the priests and friars in my realm
Shall in procession sing her endless praise.
A statelier pyramis to her I 'll rear
Than Rhodope's of Memphis ever was;
In memory of her when she is dead
Her ashesin an urn more precious
Than the rich-jewel'd coffer of Darius
Transported shall be at high festivals
Before the kings and queens of France.
No longer on Saint Denis will we cry
But Joan la Pucelle shall be France's saint.
Come inand let us banquet royally
After this golden day of victory.


[Flourish. Exeunt.]


ACT SECOND


SCENE I. Before Orleans.


[Enter a Sergeant of a bandwith two Sentinels.]


SERGEANT.
Sirstake your places and be vigilant:
If any noise or soldier you perceive
Near to the wallsby some apparent sign
Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.


FIRST SENTINEL.
Sergeantyou shall. [Exit Sergeant.
Thus are poor servitors
When others sleep upon their quiet beds
Constrain'd to watch in darknessrain and cold.



[Enter TalbotBedfordBurgundyand forces
with scaling-ladderstheir drums beating a dead march.]


TALBOT.
Lord Regentand redoubted Burgundy
By whose approach the regions of Artois
Wallon and Picardy are friends to us
This happy night the Frenchmen are secure
Having all day caroused and banqueted:
Embrace we then this opportunity
As fitting best to quittance their deceit
Contriv'd by art and baleful sorcery.


BEDFORD.
Coward of Francehow much he wrongs his fame
Despairing of his own arm's fortitude
To join with witches and the help of hell!


BURGUNDY.
Traitors have never other company.
But what 's that Pucelle whom they term so pure?


TALBOT.
A maidthey say.


BEDFORD.
A maid! and be so martial!


BURGUNDY.
Pray God she prove not masculine ere long
If underneath the standard of the French
She carry armour as she hath begun.


TALBOT.
Welllet them practice and converse with spirits:
God is our fortressin whose conquering name
Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks.


BEDFORD.
Ascendbrave Talbot; we will follow thee.


TALBOT.
Not all together: better farI guess
That we do make our entrance several ways;
Thatif it chance the one of us do fail
The other yet may rise against their force.


BEDFORD.
Agreed: I 'll to yond corner.


BURGUNDY.
And I to this.


TALBOT.
And here will Talbot mountor make his grave.
NowSalisburyfor theeand for the right
Of English Henryshall this night appear
How much in duty I am bound to both.


SENTINEL.
Arm! arm! the enemy doth make assault!


[Cry: 'St George' 'A Talbot.']



[The French leap over the walls in their shirts.
Enterseveral waysthe Bastard of OrleansAlenconand
Reignierhalf readyand half unready.]


ALENCON.
How nowmy lords! whatall unready so?


BASTARD.
Unready! ayeand glad we 'scap'd so well.


REIGNIER.
'Twas timeI trowto wake and leave our beds
Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors.


ALENCON.
Of all exploits since first I follow'd arms
Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprise
More venturous or desperate than this.


BASTARD.
I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.


REIGNIER.
If not of hellthe heavenssurefavor him.


ALENCON.
Here cometh Charles: I marvel how he sped.


BASTARD.
Tutholy Joan was his defensive guard.


[Enter Charles and La Pucelle.]


CHARLES.
Is this thy cunningthou deceitful dame?
Didst thou at firstto flatter us withal
Make us partakers of a little gain
That now our loss might be ten times so much?


PUCELLE.
Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
At all times will you have my power alike?
Sleeping or waking must I still prevail
Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?
Improvident soldiers! had your watch been good
This sudden mischief never could have fall'n.


CHARLES.
Duke of Alenconthis was your default
Thatbeing captain of the watch to-night
Did look no better to that weighty charge.


ALENCON.
Had all your quarters been as safely kept
As that whereof I had the government
We had not been thus shamefully surprised.


BASTARD.
Mine was secure.


REIGNIER.
And so was minemy lord.



CHARLES.
Andfor myselfmost part of all this night
Within her quarter and mine own precinct
I was employ'd in passing to and fro
About relieving of the sentinels:
Then how or which way should they first break in?


PUCELLE.
Questionmy lordsno further of the case
How or which way: 'tis sure they found some place
But weakly guardedwhere the breach was made.
And now there rests no other shift but this;
To gather our soldiersscatter'd and dispersed
And lay new platforms to endamage them.


[Alarum. Enter an English Soldiercrying
'A Talbot! a Talbot!' They flyleaving their
clothes behind.]


SOLDIER.
I 'll be so bold to take what they have left.
The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword;
For I have loaden me with many spoils
Using no other weapon but his name.


[Exit.]


SCENE II. Orleans. Within the town.


[Enter TalbotBedfordBurgundya Captainand others.]


BEDFORD.
The day begins to breakand night is fled
Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth.
Here sound retreatand cease our hot pursuit.


[Retreat sounded.]


TALBOT.
Bring forth the body of old Salisbury
And here advance it in the market-place
The middle centre of this cursed town.
Now have I paid my vow unto his soul;
For every drop of blood was drawn from him
There hath at least five Frenchmen died to-night.
And that hereafter ages may behold
What ruin happen'd in revenge of him


Within their chiefest temple I 'll erect
A tombwherein his corpse shall be interr'd;
Upon the whichthat every one may read
Shall be engraved the sack of Orleans
The treacherous manner of his mournful death
And what a terror he had been to France.
Butlordsin all our bloody massacre
I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace
His new-come championvirtuous Joan of Arc
Nor any of his false confederates.


BEDFORD.
'Tis thoughtLord Talbotwhen the fight began



Rous'd on the sudden from their drowsy beds
They did amongst the troops of armed men
Leap o'er the walls for refuge in the field.


BURGUNDY.
Myselfas far as I could well discern
For smoke and dusky vapors of the night
Am sure I scared the Dauphin and his trull
When arm in arm they both came swiftly running
Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves
That could not live asunder day or night.
After that things are set in order here
We'll follow them with all the power we have.


[Enter a Messenger.]


MESSENGER.
All hailmy lords! Which of this princely train
Call ye the warlike Talbotfor his acts
So much applauded through the realm of France?


TALBOT.
Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him?


MESSENGER.
The virtuous ladyCountess of Auvergne
With modesty admiring thy renown
By me entreatsgreat lordthou wouldst vouchsafe
To visit her poor castle where she lies
That she may boast she hath beheld the man
Whose glory fills the world with loud report.


BURGUNDY.
Is it even so? Naythen I see our wars
Will turn into a peaceful comic sport
When ladies crave to be encount'red with.
You may notmy lorddespise her gentle suit.


TALBOT.
Ne'er trust me then; for when a world of men
Could not prevail with all their oratory
Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled:
And therefore tell her I return great thanks
And in submission will attend on her.
Will not your honors bear me company?


BEDFORD.
Notruly; it is more than manners will:
And I have heard it saidunbidden guests
Are often welcomest when they are gone.


TALBOT.
Well thenalonesince there 's no remedy
I mean to prove this lady's courtesy.
Come hitherCaptain. [Whispers] You perceive my mind?


CAPTAIN.
I domy lordand mean accordingly.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE III. Auvergne. The Countess's castle.



[Enter the Countess and her Porter.]


COUNTESS.
Porterremember what I gave in charge;
And when you have done sobring the keys to me.


PORTER.
MadamI will.


[Exit.]


COUNTESS.
The plot is laid: if all things fall out right
I shall as famous be by this exploit
As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death.
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight
And his achievements of no less account:
Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
To give their censure of these rare reports.


[Enter Messenger and Talbot.]


MESSENGER.
Madam
according as your ladyship desired
By message cravedso is Lord Talbot come.


COUNTESS.
And he is welcome. What! is this the man?


MESSENGER.
Madamit is.


COUNTESS.
Is this the scourge of France?
Is this the Talbotso much fear'd abroad
That with his name the mothers still their babes?
I see report is fabulous and false:
I thought I should have seen some Hercules
A second Hectorfor his grim aspect
And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alasthis is a childa silly dwarf!
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies.


TALBOT.
MadamI have been bold to trouble you;
But since your ladyship is not at leisure
I 'll sort some other time to visit you.


COUNTESS.
What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.


MESSENGER.
Staymy Lord Talbot; for my lady craves
To know the cause of your abrupt departure.


TALBOT.
Marryfor that she's in a wrong belief
I go to certify her Talbot's here.


[Re-enter Porter with keys.]



COUNTESS.
If thou be hethen art thou prisoner.


TALBOT.
Prisoner! to whom?


COUNTESS.
To meblood-thirsty lord;
And for that cause I train'd thee to my house.
Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me
For in my gallery thy picture hangs:
But now the substance shall endure the like
And I will chain these legs and arms of thine
That hast by tyranny these many years
Wasted our countryslain our citizens
And sent our sons and husbands captivate.


TALBOT.
Hahaha!


COUNTESS.
Laughest thouwretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.


TALBOT.
I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow
Whereon to practice your severity.


COUNTESS.
Whyart not thou the man?


TALBOT.
I am indeed.


COUNTESS.
Then have I substance too.


TALBOT.
NonoI am but shadow of myself:
You are deceivedmy substance is not here;
For what you see is but the smallest part
And least proportion of humanity:
I tell youmadamwere the whole frame here
It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
Your roof were not sufficient to contain 't.


COUNTESS.
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce;
He will be hereand yet he is not here:
How can these contrarieties agree?


TALBOT.
That will I show you presently.


[Winds his horn. Drums strike up: a peal of ordnance. Enter
Soldiers.]


How say youmadam? are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
These are his substancesinewsarms and strength
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks
Razeth your cities and subverts your towns
And in a moment makes them desolate.



COUNTESS.
Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse:
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited
And more than may be gather'd by thy shape.
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath;
For I am sorry that with reverence
I did not entertain thee as thou art.


TALBOT.
Be not dismay'dfair lady; nor misconstrue
The mind of Talbotas you did mistake
The outward composition of his body.
What you have done hath not offended me;
Nor other satisfaction do I crave
But onlywith your patiencethat we may
Taste of your wine and see what cates you have;
For soldiers' stomachs always serve them well.


COUNTESS.
With all my heartand think me honored
To feast so great a warrior in my house.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE IV. London. The Temple-garden.


[Enter the Earls of SomersetSuffolkand Warwick;
Richard PlantagenetVernonand another Lawyer.]


PLANTAGENET.
Great lords and gentlemen
what means this silence?
Dare no man answer in a case of truth?


SUFFOLK.
Within the Temple-hall we were too loud;
The garden here is more convenient.


PLANTAGENET.
Then say at once if I maintain'd the truth;
Or else was wrangling Somerset in the error?


SUFFOLK.
FaithI have been a truant in the law
And never yet could frame my will to it;
And therefore frame the law unto my will.


SOMERSET.
Judge youmy Lord of Warwickthenbetween us.


WARWICK.
Between two hawkswhich flies the higher pitch;
Between two dogswhich hath the deeper mouth;
Between two bladeswhich bears the better temper:
Between two horseswhich doth bear him best;
Between two girlswhich hath the merriest eye;
I have perhaps some shallow spirit of judgment:
But in these nice sharp quillets of the law
Good faithI am no wiser than a daw.


PLANTAGENET.



Tuttuthere is a mannerly forbearance:
The truth appears so naked on my side
That any purblind eye may find it out.


SOMERSET.
And on my side it is so well apparell'd
So clearso shining and so evident
That it will glimmer through a blind man's eye.


PLANTAGENET.
Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts:
Let him that is a true-born gentleman
And stands upon the honor of his birth
If he suppose that I have pleaded truth
From off this brier pluck a white rose with me.


SOMERSET.
Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer
But dare maintain the party of the truth
Pluck a red rose from off this thorn with me.


WARWICK.
I love no coloursand without all colour
Of base insinuating flattery
I pluck this white rose with Plantagenet.


SUFFOLK.
I pluck this red rose with young Somerset
And say withal I think he held the right.


VERNON.
Staylords and gentlemenand pluck no more
Till you conclude that heupon whose side
The fewest roses are cropp'd from the tree
Shall yield the other in the right opinion.


SOMERSET.
Good Master Vernonit is well objected:
If I have fewestI subscribe in silence.


PLANTAGENET.
And I.


VERNON.
Then for the truth and plainness of the case
I pluck this pale and maiden blossom here
Giving my verdict on the white rose side.


SOMERSET.
Prick not your finger as you pluck it off
Lest bleedingyou do paint the white rose red
And fall on my side soagainst your will.


VERNON.
If Imy lordfor my opinion bleed
Opinion shall be surgeon to my hurt
And keep me on the side where still I am.


SOMERSET.
Wellwellcome on: who else?


LAWYER.
Unless my study and my books be false



The argument you held was wrong in you;

[To Somerset.]

In sign whereof I pluck a white rose too.

PLANTAGENET.
NowSomersetwhere is your argument?


SOMERSET.
Here in my scabbardmeditating that
Shall dye your white rose in a bloody red.


PLANTAGENET.
Meantime your cheeks do counterfeit our roses;
For pale they look with fearas witnessing
The truth on our side.


SOMERSET.
NoPlantagenet
'Tis not for fear but anger that thy cheeks
Blush for pure shame to counterfeit our roses
And yet thy tongue will not confess thy error.


PLANTAGENET.
Hath not thy rose a cankerSomerset?


SOMERSET.
Hath not thy rose a thornPlantagenet?


PLANTAGENET.
Aysharp and piercingto maintain his truth;
Whiles thy consuming canker eats his falsehood.


SOMERSET. WellI 'll find friends to wear my bleeding roses
That shall maintain what I have said is true
Where false Plantagenet dare not be seen.


PLANTAGENET.
Nowby this maiden blossom in my hand
I scorn thee and thy fashionpeevish boy.


SUFFOLK.
Turn not thy scorns this wayPlantagenet.


PLANTAGENET.
Proud PoleI willand scorn both him and thee.


SUFFOLK.
I'll turn my part thereof into thy throat.


SOMERSET.
Awayawaygood William de la Pole!
We grace the yeoman by conversing with him.


WARWICK.
Nowby God's willthou wrong'st himSomerset;
His grandfather was Lionel Duke of Clarence
Third son to the third Edward King of England:
Spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root?


PLANTAGENET.
He bears him on the place's privilege
Or durst notfor his craven heartsay thus.



SOMERSET.
By Him that made meI'll maintain my words
On any plot of ground in Christendom.
Was not thy fatherRichard Earl of Cambridge
For treason executed in our late king's days?
Andby his treasonstand'st not thou attainted
Corruptedand exempt from ancient gentry?
His trespass yet lives guilty in thy blood;
Andtill thou be restoredthou art a yeoman.


PLANTAGENET.
My father was attachednot attainted
Condemn'd to die for treasonbut no traitor;
And that I'll prove on better men than Somerset
Were growing time once ripen'd to my will.
For your partaker Pole and you yourself
I'll note you in my book of memory
To scourge you for this apprehension:
Look to it well and say you are well warn'd.


SOMERSET.
Aythou shalt find us ready for thee still;
And know us by these colors for thy foes
For these my friends in spite of thee shall wear.


PLANTAGENET.
Andby my soulthis pale and angry rose
As cognizance of my blood-drinking hate
Will I for ever and my faction wear
Until it wither with me to my grave
Or flourish to the height of my degree.


SUFFOLK.
Go forwardand be chok'd with thy ambition!
And so farewell until I meet thee next.


[Exit.]


SOMERSET.
Have with theePole. Farewellambitious Richard.


[Exit.]


PLANTAGENET.
How I am braved and must perforce endure it!


WARWICK.
This blot that they object against your house
Shall be wiped out in the next parliament
Call'd for the truce of Winchester and Gloucester;
And if thou be not then created York
I will not live to be accounted Warwick.
Meantimein signal of my love to thee
Against proud Somerset and William Pole
Will I upon thy party wear this rose:
And here I prophesy: this brawl to-day
Grown to this faction in the Temple-garden
Shall send between the red rose and the white
A thousand souls to death and deadly night.


PLANTAGENET.
Good Master VernonI am bound to you
That you on my behalf would pluck a flower.



VERNON.
In your behalf still will I wear the same.


LAWYER.
And so will I.


PLANTAGENET.
Thanksgentle sir.
Comelet us four to dinner: I dare say
This quarrel will drink blood another day.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE V. The Tower of London.


[Enter Mortimerbrought in a chairand Jailers.]


MORTIMER.
Kind keepers of my weak decaying age
Let dying Mortimer here rest himself.
Even like a man new haled from the rack
So fare my limbs with long imprisonment;
And these gray locksthe pursuivants of death
Nestor-like aged in an age of care
Argue the end of Edmund Mortimer.
These eyeslike lamps whose wasting oil is spent
Wax dimas drawing to their exigent;
Weak shouldersoverborne with burdening grief
And pithless armslike to a wither'd vine
That droops his sapless branches to the ground:
Yet are these feetwhose strengthless stay is numb
Unable to support this lump of clay
Swift-winged with desire to get a grave
As witting I no other comfort have.
But tell mekeeperwill my nephew come?


FIRST JAILER.
Richard Plantagenetmy lordwill come:
We sent unto the Templeunto his chamber;
And answer was return'd that he will come.


MORTIMER.
Enough: my soul shall then be satisfied.
Poor gentleman! his wrong doth equal mine.
Since Henry Monmouth first began to reign
Before whose glory I was great in arms
This loathsome sequestration have I had;
And even since then hath Richard been obscured
Deprived of honour and inheritance.
But now the arbitrator of despairs
Just Deathkind umpire of men's miseries
With sweet enlargement doth dismiss me hence:
I would his troubles likewise were expired
That so he might recover what was lost.


[Enter Richard Plantagenet.]


FIRST JAILER.
My lordyour loving nephew now is come.


MORTIMER.



Richard Plantagenetmy friendis he come?


PLANTAGENET.
Ayenoble unclethus ignobly used
Your nephewlate despised Richardcomes.


MORTIMER.
Direct mine arms I may embrace his neck
And in his bosom spend my latter gasp:
Otell me when my lips do touch his cheeks
That I may kindly give one fainting kiss.
And now declaresweet stem from York's great stock
Why didst thou say of late thou wert despised?


PLANTAGENET.
Firstlean thine aged back against mine arm;
Andin that caseI'll tell thee my disease.
This dayin argument upon a case
Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me;
Among which terms he used his lavish tongue
And did upbraid me with my father's death:
Which obloquy set bars before my tongue
Else with the like I had requited him.
Thereforegood unclefor my father's sake
In honor of a true Plantagenet
And for alliance sakedeclare the cause
My fatherEarl of Cambridgelost his head.


MORTIMER.
That causefair nephewthat imprison'd me
And hath detain'd me all my flowering youth
Within a loathsome dungeonthere to pine
Was cursed instrument of his decease.


PLANTAGENET.
Discover more at large what cause that was
For I am ignorant and cannot guess.


MORTIMER.
I willif that my fading breath permit
And death approach not ere my tale be done.
Henry the Fourthgrandfather to this king
Deposed his nephew RichardEdward's son
The first-begotten and the lawful heir
Of Edward kingthe third of that descent;
During whose reign the Percies of the north
Finding his usurpation most unjust
Endeavour'd my advancement to the throne.
The reason moved these warlike lords to this
Wasfor that--young King Richard thus removed
Leaving no heir begotten of his body--
I was the next by birth and parentage;
For by my mother I derived am
From Lionel Duke of Clarencethird son
To King Edward the Third; whereas he
From John of Gaunt doth bring his pedigree
Being but fourth of that heroic line.
But mark: as in this haughty great attempt
They labored to plant the rightful heir
I lost my liberty and they their lives.
Long after thiswhen Henry the Fifth
Succeeding his father Bolingbrokedid reign
Thy fatherEarl of Cambridgethen derived
From famous Edmund LangleyDuke of York



Marrying my sister that thy mother was
Again in pity of my hard distress.
Levied an armyweening to redeem
And have install'd me in the diadem:
Butas the restso fell that noble earl
And was beheaded. Thus the Mortimers
In whom the title restedwere suppress'd.


PLANTAGENET.
Of whichmy lordyour honor is the last.


MORTIMER.
True; and thou seest that I no issue have
And that my fainting words do warrant death:
Thou art my heir; the rest I wish thee gather:
But yet be wary in thy studious care.


PLANTAGENET.
Thy grave admonishments prevail with me:
But yetmethinksmy father's execution
Was nothing less than bloody tyranny.


MORTIMER.
With silencenephewbe thou politic:
Strong-fixed is the house of Lancaster
And like a mountain not to be removed.
But now thy uncle is removing hence;
As princes do their courtswhen they are cloy'd
With long continuance in a settled place.


PLANTAGENET.
Ounclewould some part of my young years
Might but redeem the passage of your age!


MORTIMER.
Thou dost then wrong meas that slaughterer doth
Which giveth many wounds when one will kill.
Mourn notexcept thou sorrow for my good;
Only give order for my funeral:
And so farewelland fair be all thy hopes
And prosperous be thy life in peace and war!


[Dies.]


PLANTAGENET.
And peaceno warbefall thy parting soul!
In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage
And like a hermit overpass'd thy days.
WellI will lock his counsel in my breast;
And what I do imagine let that rest.
Keepersconvey him hence; and I myself
Will see his burial better than his life.


[Exeunt Jailersbearing out the body of Mortimer.]


Here dies the dusky torch of Mortimer
Choked with ambition of the meaner sort:
And for those wrongsthose bitter injuries
Which Somerset hath offer'd to my house
I doubt not but with honour to redress;
And therefore haste I to the parliament
Either to be restored to my blood
Or make my ill the advantage of my good.



[Exit.]

ACT THIRD

SCENE I. London. The Parliament-house.

[Flourish. Enter KingExeterGloucesterWarwickSomerset
and Suffolk; the Bishop of WinchesterRichard Plantagenetand
others. Gloucester offers to put up a bill; Winchester snatches
ittears it.]


WINCHESTER.
Comest thou with deep premeditated lines
With written pamphlets studiously devised
Humphrey of Gloucester? If thou canst accuse
Or aught intend'st to lay unto my charge.
Do it without inventionsuddenly;
As I with sudden and extemporal speech
Purpose to answer what thou canst object.


GLOUCESTER.
Presumptuous priest! this place commands my patience
Or thou shouldst find thou hast dishonor'd me.
Think notalthough in writing I preferr'd
The manner of thy vile outrageous crimes
That therefore I have forgedor am not able
Verbatim to rehearse the method of my pen:
Noprelate; such is thy audacious wickedness
Thy lewdpestiferous and dissentious pranks
As very infants prattle of thy pride.
Thou art a most pernicious usurer
Froward by natureenemy to peace;
Lasciviouswantonmore than well beseems
A man of thy profession and degree;
And for thy treacherywhat's more manifest
In that thou laid'st a trap to take my life
As well at London-bridge as at the Tower.
BesideI fear meif thy thoughts are sifted
The kingthy sovereignis not quite exempt
From envious malice of thy swelling heart.


WINCHESTER.
GloucesterI do defy thee. Lordsvouchsafe
To give me hearing what I shall reply.
If I were covetousambitiousor perverse
As he will have mehow am I so poor?
Or how haps it I seek not to advance
Or raise myselfbut keep my wonted calling?
And for dissensionwho preferreth peace
More than I do?--except I be provoked.
Nomy good lordsit is not that offends;
It is not that that hath incensed the duke:
It isbecause no one should sway but he;
No one but he should be about the king;
And that engenders thunder in his breast
And makes him roar these accusations forth.
But he shall know I am as good--


GLOUCESTER.
As good!
Thou bastard of my grandfather!



WINCHESTER.
Ayelordly sir; for what are youI pray
But one imperious in another's throne?


GLOUCESTER.
Am I not protectorsaucy priest?


WINCHESTER.
And am not I a prelate of the church?


GLOUCESTER.
Yesas an outlaw in a castle keeps
And useth it to patronage his theft.


WINCHESTER.
Unreverent Gloster!


GLOUCESTER.
Thou art reverent
Touching thy spiritual functionnot thy life.


WINCHESTER.
Rome shall remedy this.


WARWICK.
Roam thitherthen.


SOMERSET.
My lordit were your duty to forbear.


WARWICK.
Aysee the bishop be not overborne.


SOMERSET.
Methinks my lord should be religious
And know the office that belongs to such.


WARWICK.
Methinks his lordship should be humbler;
It fitteth not a prelate so to plead.


SOMERSET.
Yeswhen his holy state is touch'd so near.


WARWICK.
State holy or unhallow'dwhat of that?
Is not his grace protector to the king?


PLANTAGENET.
[Aside] PlantagenetI seemust hold his tongue
Lest it be said'Speaksirrahwhen you should:
Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords?'
Else would I have a fling at Winchester.


KING.
Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester
The special watchmen of our English weal
I would prevailif prayers might prevail
To join your hearts in love and amity.
Owhat a scandal is it to our crown
That two such noble peers as ye should jar!
Believe melordsmy tender years can tell
Civil dissension is a viperous worm
That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth.



[A noise within'Down with the tawny-coats!'
What tumult's this?


WARWICK.
An uproarI dare warrant
Begun through malice of the bishop's men.


[A noise again'Stones! stones!'
Enter Mayor.]


MAYOR.
Omy good lordsand virtuous Henry
Pity the city of Londonpity us!
The bishop and the Duke of Gloucester's men
Forbidden late to carry any weapon
Have fill'd their pockets full of pebble stones
And banding themselves in contrary parts
Do pelt so fast at one another's pate
That many have their giddy brains knock'd out:
Our windows are broke down in every street
And we for fear compell'd to shut our shops.


[Enter Serving-menin skirmishwith bloody pates.]


KING.
We charge youon allegiance to ourself
To hold your slaughtering hands and keep the peace.
Prayuncle Gloucestermitigate this strife.


FIRST SERVING-MAN.
Nayif we be forbidden stones
we 'll fall to it with our teeth.


SECOND SERVING-MAN.
Do what ye darewe are as resolute.


[Skirmish again.]


GLOUCESTER.
You of my householdleave this peevish broil
And set this unaccustom'd fight aside.


THIRD SERVING-MAN.
My lordwe know your grace to be a man
Just and upright; andfor your royal birth
Inferior to none but to his Majesty:
And ere that we will suffer such a prince
So kind a father of the commonweal
To be disgraced by an inkhorn mate
We and our wives and children all will fight
And have our bodies slaughter'd by thy foes.


FIRST SERVING-MAN.
Ayeand the very parings of our nails
Shall pitch a field when we are dead.


[Begin again.]


GLOUCESTER.
StaystayI say!
And if you love meas you say you do
Let me persuade you to forbear awhile.


KING.



Ohow this discord doth afflict my soul!
Can youmy Lord of Winchesterbehold
My sighs and tears and will not once relent?
Who should be pitifulif you be not?
Or who should study to prefer a peace
If holy churchmen take delight in broils?


WARWICK.
Yieldmy lord protector; yieldWinchester;
Except you mean with obstinate repulse
To slay your sovereign and destroy the realm.
You see what mischief and what murder too
Hath been enacted through your enmity;
Then be at peaceexcept ye thirst for blood.


WINCHESTER.
He shall submitor I will never yield.


GLOUCESTER.
Compassion on the king commands me stoop;
Or I would see his heart outere the priest
Should ever get that privilege of me.


WARWICK.
Beholdmy Lord of Winchesterthe duke
Hath banish'd moody discontented fury
As by his smoothed brows it doth appear:
Why look you still so stem and tragical?


GLOUCESTER.
HereWinchesterI offer thee my hand.


KING.
Fieuncle Beaufort! I have heard you preach
That malice was a great and grievous sin;
And will not you maintain the thing you teach
But prove a chief offender in the same?


WARWICK.
Sweet king! the bishop hath a kindly gird.
For shamemy lord of Winchesterrelent!
Whatshall a child instruct you what to do?


WINCHESTER.
WellDuke of GloucesterI will yield to thee;
Love for thy love and hand for hand I give.


GLOUCESTER.
[Aside] AyebutI fear mewith a hollow heart.--
See heremy friends and loving countrymen;
This token serveth for a flag of truce
Betwixt ourselves and all our followers:
So help me Godas I dissemble not!


WINCHESTER.
[Aside] So help me Godas I intend it not!


KING.
O loving unclekind Duke of Gloucester
How joyful am I made by this contract!
Awaymy masters! trouble us no more;
But join in friendshipas your lords have done.


FIRST SERVING-MAN.



Content: I'll to the surgeon's.


SECOND SERVING-MAN.
And so will I.


THIRD SERVING-MAN.
And I will see what physic the tavern affords.


[Exeunt Serving-menMayor&C.]


WARWICK.
Accept this scrollmost gracious sovereign;
Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet.
We do exhibit to your majesty.


GLOUCESTER.
Well urgedmy Lord of Warwick: forsweet prince
An if your Grace mark every circumstance
You have great reason to do Richard right:
Especially for those occasions
At Eltham place I told your majesty.


KING.
And those occasionsunclewere of force;
Thereforemy loving lordsour pleasure is
That Richard be restored to his blood.


WARWICK.
Let Richard be restored to his blood;
So shall his father's wrongs be recompensed.


WINCHESTER.
As will the restso willeth Winchester.


KING.
If Richard will be truenot that alone
But all the whole inheritance I give
That doth belong unto the house of York
From whence you spring by lineal descent.


PLANTAGENET.
Thy humble servant vows obedience
And humble service till the point of death.


KING.
Stoop then and set your knee against my foot;
Andin reguerdon of that duty done
I girt thee with the valiant sword of York:
RiseRichardlike a true Plantagenet
And rise created princely Duke of York.


PLANTAGENET.
And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall!
And as my duty springsso perish they
That grudge one thought against your majesty!


ALL.
Welcomehigh princethe mighty Duke of York!


SOMERSET.
[Aside] Perishbase princeignoble Duke of York!


GLOUCESTER.



Now will it best avail your majesty
To cross the seas and to be crown'd in France:
The presence of a king engenders love
Amongst his subjects and his loyal friends
As it disanimates his enemies.


KING.
When Gloucester says the wordKing Henry goes;
For friendly counsel cuts off many foes.


GLOUCESTER.
Your ships already are in readiness.


[Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Exeter.]


EXETER.
Ayewe may march in England or in France
Not seeing what is likely to ensue.
This late dissension grown betwixt the peers
Burns under feigned ashes of forged love
And will at last break out into a flame;
As fest'red members rot but by degree
Till bones and flesh and sinews fall away
So will this base and envious discord breed.
And now I fear that fatal prophecy
Which in the time of Henry named the fifth
Was in the mouth of every sucking babe;
That Henry born at Monmouth should win all
And Henry born at Windsor lose all:
Which is so plainthat Exeter doth wish
His days may finish ere that hapless time.


[Exit.]


SCENE II. France. Before Rouen.


[Enter La Pucelle disguisedwith four Soldiers
with sacks upon their backs.]


PUCELLE.
These are the city gatesthe gates of Rouen
Through which our policy must make a breach:
Take heedbe wary how you place your words;
Talk like the vulgar sort of market men
That come to gather money for their corn.
If we have entranceas I hope we shall
And that we find the slothful watch but weak
I 'll by a sign give notice to our friends
That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them.


FIRST SOLDIER.
Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city
And we be lords and rulers over Rouen;
Therefore we 'll knock. [Knocks.]


WATCH.
[Within] Qui est la?


PUCELLE.
Paysanspauvres gens de France;
Poor market folks that come to sell their corn.



WATCH.
Entergo in; the market bell is rung.


PUCELLE.
NowRouenI 'll shake thy bulwarks to the ground.


[Exeunt.]


[Enter Charlesthe Bastard of OrleansAlencon
Reignierand forces.]


CHARLES.
Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem!
And once again we 'll sleep secure in Rouen.


BASTARD.
Here enter'd Pucelle and her practisants;
Now she is therehow will she specify
Here is the best and safest passage in?


REIGNIER.
By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower;
Whichonce discern'dshows that her meaning is
No way to thatfor weaknesswhich she enter'd.


[Enter La Pucelleon the topthrusting out
a torch burning.]


PUCELLE.
Beholdthis is the happy wedding torch
That joineth Rouen unto her countrymen
But burning fatal to the Talbotites!


[Exit.]


BASTARD.
Seenoble Charlesthe beacon of our friend;
The burning torch in yonder turret stands.


CHARLES.
Now shine it like a comet of revenge
A prophet to the fall of all our foes!


REIGNIER.
Defer no timedelays have dangerous ends;
Enterand cry'The Dauphin!' presently
And then do execution on the watch.


[Alarum. Exeunt.]


[An alarum. Enter Talbot in an excursion.]


TALBOT.
Francethou shalt rue this treason with thy tears
If Talbot but survive thy treachery.
Pucellethat witchthat damned sorceress
Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares
That hardly we escaped the pride of France.


[Exit.]


[An alarum: excursions.]
[Bedfordbrought in sick in a chair. Enter Talbot and Burgundy



without: within La PucelleCharlesBastardAlenconand
Reignieron the walls.]


PUCELLE.
Good morrowgallants! 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?


BURGUNDY.
Scoff onvile fiend and shameless courtezan!
I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own
And make thee curse the harvest of that corn.


CHARLES.
Your Grace may starve perhaps before that time.


BEDFORD.
Olet no wordsbut deedsrevenge this treason!


PUCELLE.
What will you dogood graybeard? break a lance
And run a tilt at death within a chair?


TALBOT.
Foul fiend of Franceand hag of all despite
Encompass'd with thy lustful paramours!
Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age
And twit with cowardice a man half dead?
DamselI 'll have a bout with you again
Or else let Talbot perish with this shame.


PUCELLE.
Are ye so hot? yetPucellehold thy peace;
If Talbot do but thunderrain will follow.


[The English party whisper together in council. ]


God speed the parliament! who shall be the speaker?


TALBOT.
Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field?


PUCELLE.
Belike your lordship takes us then for fools
To try if that our own be ours or no.


TALBOT.
I speak not to that railing Hecate
But unto theeAlenconand the rest;
Will yelike soldierscome and fight it out?


ALENCON.
Signiorno.


TALBOT.
Signiorhang! base muleters of France!
Like peasant foot-boys do they keep the walls
And dare not take up arms like gentlemen.


PUCELLE.
Awaycaptains! let 's get us from the walls;
For Talbot means no goodness by his looks.
God be wi' youmy lord! we came but to tell you



That we are here.

[Exeunt from the walls.]

TALBOT.
And there will we be tooere it be long
Or else reproach be Talbot's greatest fame!
VowBurgundyby honor of thy house
Prick'd on by public wrongs sustain'd in France
Either to get the town again or die:
And Ias sure as English Henry lives
And as his father here was conqueror
As sure as in this late-betrayed town
Great Coeur-de-lion's heart was buried
So sure I swear to get the town or die.


BURGUNDY.
My vows are equal partners with thy vows.


TALBOT.
Butere we goregard this dying prince
The valiant Duke of Bedford. Comemy lord
We will bestow you in some better place
Fitter for sickness and for crazy age.


BEDFORD.
Lord Talbotdo not so dishonor me:
Here will I sit before the walls of Rouen
And will be partner of your weal or woe.


BURGUNDY.
Courageous Bedfordlet us now persuade you.


BEDFORD.
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.
Methinks I should revive the soldiers' hearts
Because I ever found them as myself.


TALBOT.
Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!
Then be it so: heavens keep old Bedford safe!
And now no more adobrave Burgundy
But gather we our forces out of hand
And set upon our boasting enemy.


[Exeunt all but Bedford and Attendants.]


[An alarum: excursions. Enter Sir John Fastolfe
and a Captain.]


CAPTAIN.
Whither awaySir John Fastolfein such haste?


FASTOLFE.
Whither away! to save myself by flight:
We are like to have the overthrow again.


CAPTAIN.
What! Will you flyand leave Lord Talbot?


FASTOLFE.
Aye



All the Talbots in the worldto save my life.

[Exit.]

CAPTAIN.
Cowardly knight! ill fortune follow thee!


[Exit.]


[Retreat: excursions. La PucelleAlenconand Charles fly.]


BEDFORD.
Nowquiet souldepart when heaven please
For I have seen our enemies' overthrow.
What is the trust or strength of foolish man?
They that of late were daring with their scoffs
Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves.


[Bedford diesand is carried in by two in his chair.]


[An alarum. Re-enter TalbotBurgundyand the rest.]


TALBOT.
Lostand recover'd in a day again!
This is a double honorBurgundy:
Yet heavens have glory for this victory!


BURGUNDY.
Warlike and martial TalbotBurgundy
Enshrines thee in his heartand there erects
Thy noble deeds as valor's monuments.


TALBOT.
Thanksgentle duke. But where is Pucelle now?
I think her old familiar is asleep:
Now where 's the Bastard's bravesand Charles his gleeks?
Whatall amort? Rouen hangs her head for grief
That such a valiant company are fled.
Now will we take some order in the town
Placing therein some expert officers;
And then depart to Paris to the king
For there young Henry with his nobles lie.


BURGUNDY.
What Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy.


TALBOT.
But yetbefore we golet 's not forget
The noble Duke of Bedford late deceased
But see his exequies fulfill'd in Rouen:
A braver soldier never couched lance
A gentler heart did never sway in court;
But kings and mightiest potentates must die
For that's the end of human misery.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE III. The plains near Rouen.


[Enter Charlesthe Bastard of OrleansAlenconLa Pucelle
and forces.]



PUCELLE.
Dismay notprincesat this accident
Nor grieve that Rouen is so recovered:
Care is no curebut rather corrosive
For things that are not to be remedied.
Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while
And like a peacock sweep along his tail;
We 'll pull his plumes and take away his train
If Dauphin and the rest will be but ruled.


CHARLES.
We have been guided by thee hitherto
And of thy cunning had no diffidence:
One sudden foil shall never breed distrust


BASTARD.
Search out thy wit for secret policies
And we will make thee famous through the world.


ALENCON.
We'll set thy statue in some holy place
And have thee reverenced like a blessed saint.
Employ thee thensweet virginfor our good.


PUCELLE.
Then thus it must be; this doth Joan devise:
By fair persuasions mix'd with sugar'd words
We will entice the Duke of Burgundy
To leave the Talbot and to follow us.


CHARLES.
Ayemarrysweetingif we could do that
France were no place for Henry's warriors;
Nor should that nation boast it so with us
But be extirped from our provinces.


ALENCON.
For ever should they be expulsed from France
And not have tide of an earldom here.


PUCELLE.
Your honours shall perceive how I will work
To bring this matter to the wished end.


[Drum sounds afar off.]


Hark! by the sound of drum you may perceive
Their powers are marching unto Paris-ward.
Here sound an English march. Enterand pass over
at a distanceTalbot and his forces.
There goes the Talbotwith his colors spread
And all the troops of English after him.


[French march. Enter the Duke of Burgundy and forces.]


Now in the rearward comes the duke and his:
Fortune in favor makes him lag behind.
Summon a parley; we will talk with him.


[Trumpets sound a parley.]


CHARLES.
A parley with the Duke of Burgundy!



BURGUNDY.
Who craves a parley with the Burgundy?


PUCELLE.
The princely Charles of Francethy countryman.


BURGUNDY.
What say'st thouCharles? for I am marching
hence.


CHARLES.
SpeakPucelleand enchant him with thy words.


PUCELLE.
Brave Burgundyundoubted hope of France!
Staylet thy humble handmaid speak to thee.


BURGUNDY.
Speak on; but be not over-tedious.


PUCELLE.
Look on thy countrylook on fertile France
And see the cities and the towns defaced
By wasting ruin of the cruel foe.
As looks the mother on her lowly babe
When death doth close his tender dying eyes
Seesee the pining malady of France;
Behold the woundsthe most unnatural wounds
Which thou thyself hast given her woful breast.
Oturn thy edged sword another way;
Strike those that hurtand hurt not those that help.
One drop of blood drawn from thy country's bosom
Should grieve thee more than streams of foreign gore:
Return thee therefore with a flood of tears
And wash away thy country's stained spots.


BURGUNDY.
Either she hath bewitch'd me with her words
Or nature makes me suddenly relent.


PUCELLE.
Besidesall French and France exclaims on thee
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 mindand 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.
Seethenthou fight'st against thy countrymen
And join'st with them will be thy slaughtermen.
Comecomereturn; returnthou wandering lord;
Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms.


BURGUNDY.
I am vanquished; these haughty words of hers
Have batt'red me like roaring cannon-shot
And made me almost yield upon my knees.



Forgive mecountryand sweet countrymen
Andlordsaccept this hearty kind embrace:
My forces and my power of men are yours:
SofarewellTalbot; I 'll no longer trust thee.


PUCELLE.
[Aside] Done like a Frenchman: turn and turn
again!


CHARLES.
Welcomebrave duke; thy friendship makes us
fresh.


BASTARD.
And doth beget new courage in our breasts.


ALENCON.
Pucelle hath bravely play'd her part in this
And doth deserve a coronet of gold.


CHARLES.
Now let us onmy lordsand join our powers
And seek how we may prejudice the foe.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE IV. Paris. The palace.


[Enter the KingGloucesterBishop of WinchesterYork
SuffolkSomersetWarwickExeter: VernonBassetand
others. To them with his soldiersTalbot.]


TALBOT.
My gracious Princeand honourable peers
Hearing of your arrival in this realm
I have awhile given truce unto my wars
To do my duty to my sovereign:
In sign whereofthis armthat hath reclaim'd
To your obedience fifty fortresses
Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength
Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem
Lets fall his sword before your highness' feet
And with submissive loyalty of heart
Ascribes the glory of his conquest got
First to my God and next unto your grace. [Kneels.]


KING.
Is this the Lord Talbotuncle Gloucester
That hath so long been resident in France?


GLOUCESTER.
Yesif it please your majestymy liege.


KING.
Welcomebrave captain and victorious lord!
When I was youngas yet I am not old.
I do remember how my father said
A stouter champion never handled sword.
Long since we were resolved of your truth
Your faithful service and your toil in war;
Yet never have you tasted our reward
Or been reguerdon'd with so much as thanks.



Because till now we never saw your face:
Thereforestand up: and for these good deserts
We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury;
And in our coronation take your place.


[Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Vernon and Basset.]


VERNON.
Nowsirto youthat were so hot at sea
Disgracing of these colors that I wear
In honor of my noble Lord of York:--
Dar'st thou maintain the former words thou spakest?


BASSET.
Yessir; as well as you dare patronage
The envious barking of your saucy tongue
Against my lord the Duke of Somerset.


VERNON.
Sirrahthy lord I honor as he is.


BASSET.
Whywhat is he? as good a man as York.


VERNON.
Hark ye; not so: in witnesstake ye that.


[Strikes him.]


BASSET.
Villainthou know'st the law of arms is such
That whoso draws a sword'tis present death
Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood.
But I 'll unto his majestyand crave
I may have liberty to venge this wrong;
When thou shalt see I 'll meet thee to thy cost.


VERNON.
WellmiscreantI 'll be there as soon as you;
Andaftermeet you sooner than you would.


[Exeunt.]


ACT FOURTH


SCENE I. Paris. A hall of state.


[Enter the KingGloucesterBishop of WinchesterYork
SuffolkSomersetWarwickTalbotExeterthe Governor
of Parisand others.]


GLOUCESTER.
Lord bishopset the crown upon his head.


WINCHESTER.
God save King Henryof that name the sixth!


GLOUCESTER.
NowGovernor of Paristake your oath
That you elect no other king but him;
Esteem none friends but such as are his friends
And none your foes but such as shall pretend



Malicious practices against his state:
This shall ye doso help you righteous God!


[Enter Sir John Fastolfe.]


FASTOLFE.
My gracious sovereignas I rode from Calais
To haste unto your coronation
A letter was deliver'd to my hands
Writ to your Grace from the Duke of Burgundy.


TALBOT.
Shame to the Duke of Burgundy and thee!
I vow'dbase knightwhen I did meet thee next
To tear the garter from thy craven's leg[Plucking it off.]
Which I have donebecause unworthily
Thou wast installed in that high degree.
Pardon meprincely Henryand the rest:
This dastardat the battle of Patay
When but in all I was six thousand strong
And that the French were almost ten to one
Before we met or that a stroke was given
Like to a trusty squire did run away:
In which assault we lost twelve hundred men;
Myself and divers gentlemen beside
Were there surprised and taken prisoners.
Then judgegreat lordsif I have done amiss;
Or whether that such cowards ought to wear
This ornament of knighthoodyea or no.


GLOUCESTER.
To say the truththis fact was infamous
And ill beseeming any common man
Much more a knighta captainand a leader.


TALBOT.
When first this order was ordain'dmy lords
Knights of the garter were of noble birth
Valiant and virtuousfull of haughty courage
Such as were grown to credit by the wars;
Not fearing deathnor shrinking for distress
But always resolute in most extremes.
He then that is not furnish'd in this sort
Doth but usurp the sacred name of knight
Profaning this most honorable order
And shouldif I were worthy to be judge
Be quite degradedlike a hedge-born swain
That doth presume to boast of gentle blood.


KING.
Stain to thy countrymenthou hear'st thy doom!
Be packingthereforethou that wast a knight;
Henceforth we banish theeon pain of death.


[Exit Fastolfe.]


And nowmy lord protectorview the letter
Sent from our uncle Duke of Burgundy.


GLOUCESTER.
What means his grace
that he hath changed his style?
No more butplain and bluntly'To the King!'
Hath he forgot he is his sovereign?



Or doth this churlish superscription
Pretend some alteration in good will?
What's here? [Reads] 'I haveupon especial cause
Moved with compassion of my country's wreck
Together with the pitiful complaints
Of such as your oppression feeds upon
Forsaken your pernicious faction
And join'd with Charlesthe rightful King of France.'
O monstrous treachery! can this be so
That in allianceamity and oaths
There should be found such false dissembling guile?


KING.
What! doth my uncle Burgundy revolt?


GLOUCESTER.
He dothmy lordand is become your foe.


KING.
Is that the worst this letter doth contain?


GLOUCESTER.
It is the worstand allmy lordhe writes.


KING.
WhythenLord Talbot there shall talk with him
And give him chastisement for this abuse.
How say youmy lord? are you not content?


TALBOT.
Contentmy liege! yes; but that I am prevented
I should have begg'd I might have been employ'd.


KING.
Then gather strengthand march unto him straight:
Let him perceive how ill we brook his treason.
And what offence it is to flout his friends.


TALBOT.
I gomy lordin heart desiring still
You may behold confusion of your foes.


[Exit.]


[Enter Vernon and Basset.]


VERNON.
Grant me the combatgracious sovereign.


BASSET.
And memy lordgrant me the combat too.


YORK.
This is my servant: hear himnoble prince.


SOMERSET.
And this is mine: sweet Henryfavor him.


KING.
Be patientlordsand give them leave to speak.
Saygentlemenwhat makes you thus exclaim?
And wherefore crave you combat? or with whom?


VERNON.



With himmy lord; for he hath done me wrong.


BASSET.
And I with him; for he hath done me wrong.


KING.
What is that wrong whereof you both complain?
First let me knowand then I'll answer you.


BASSET.
Crossing the sea from England into France
This fellow herewith envious carping tongue
Upbraided me about the rose I wear;
Sayingthe sanguine colour of the leaves
Did represent my master's blushing cheeks
When stubbornly he did repugn the truth
About a certain question in the law
Argued betwixt the Duke of York and him;
With other vile and ignominious terms:
In confutation of which rude reproach
And in defence of my lord's worthiness
I crave the benefit of law of arms.


VERNON.
And that is my petitionnoble lord:
For though he seem with forged quaint conceit
To set a gloss upon his bold intent
Yet knowmy lordI was provoked by him;
And he first took exceptions at this badge
Pronouncing that the paleness of this flower
Bewray'd the faintness of my master's heart.


YORK.
Will not this maliceSomersetbe left?


SOMERSET.
Your private grudgemy Lord of Yorkwill out
Though ne'er so cunningly you smother it.


KING.
Good Lordwhat madness rules in brainsick men
When for so slight and frivolous a cause
Such factious emulations shall arise!
Good cousins bothof York and Somerset
Quiet yourselvesI prayand be at peace.


YORK.
Let this dissension first be tried by fight
And then your highness shall command a peace.


SOMERSET.
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;
Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.


YORK.
There is my pledge; accept itSomerset.


VERNON.
Naylet it rest where it began at first.


BASSET.
Confirm it somine honorable lord.


GLOUCESTER.



Confirm it so! Confounded be your strife!
And perish yewith your audacious prate!
Presumptuous vassalsare you not ashamed
With this immodest clamorous outrage
To trouble and disturb the king and us?
And youmy lordsmethinks you do not well
To bear with their perverse objections;
Much less to take occasion from their mouths
To raise a mutiny betwixt yourselves:
Let me persuade you take a better course.


EXETER.
It grieves his highness: good my lordsbe friends.


KING.
Come hitheryou that would be combatants:
Henceforth I charge youas you love our favor
Quite to forget this quarrel and the cause.
And youmy lordsremember where we are:
In Franceamongst a fickle wavering nation;
If they perceive dissension in our looks
And that within ourselves we disagree
How will their grudging stomachs be provoked
To willful disobedienceand rebel!
Besidewhat infamy will there arise
When foreign princes shall be certified
That for a toya thing of no regard
King Henry's peers and chief nobility
Destroy'd themselves and lost the realm of France
Othink upon the conquest of my father
My tender years; and let us not forgo
That for a trifle that was bought with blood!
Let me be umpire in this doubtful strife.
I see no reasonif 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 kinsmenand I love them both:
As well they may upbraid me with my crown
Becauseforsooththe king of Scots is crown'd.
But your discretions better can persuade
Than I am able to instruct or teach;
Andthereforeas we hither came in peace
So let us still continue peace and love.
Cousin of Yorkwe institute your grace
To be our Regent in these parts of France:
Andgood my Lord of Somersetunite
Your troops of horsemen with his bands of foot;
Andlike true subjectssons of your progenitors
Go cheerfully together and digest
Your angry choler on your enemies.
Ourselfmy lord protector and the rest
After some respite will return to Calais;
From thence to England; where I hope ere long
To be presentedby your victories
With CharlesAlenconand that traitorous rout.


[Flourish. Exeunt all but YorkWarwickExeter and Vernon.]


WARWICK.
My Lord of YorkI promise youthe king
Prettilymethoughtdid play the orator.



YORK.
And so he did; but yet I like it not
In that he wears the badge of Somerset.


WARWICK.
Tushthat was but his fancyblame him not;
I dare presumesweet princehe thought no harm.


YORK.
An if I wist he did--but let it rest;
Other affairs must now be managed.


[Exeunt all but Exeter.]


EXETER.
Well didst thouRichardto suppress thy voice;
Forhad the passions of thy heart burst out
I fear we should have seen decipher'd there
More rancorous spitemore furious raging broils
Than yet can be imagined or supposed.
But howsoe'erno simple man that sees
This jarring discord of nobility
This shouldering of each other in the court
This factious bandying of their favorites
But that it doth presage some ill event.
Tis much when scepters are in children's hands;
But more when envy breeds unkind division;
There comes the ruinthere begins confusion.


[Exit.]


SCENE II. Before Bordeaux.


[Enter Talbotwith trump and drum.]


TALBOT.
Go to the gates of Bordeauxtrumpeter:
Summon their general unto the wall.


[Trumpet sounds. Enter General and othersaloft.]


English John TalbotCaptainscalls you forth
Servant in arms to Harry King of England;
And thus he would: Open your city-gates
Be humble to us; call my sovereign yours
And do him homage as obedient subjects;
And I 'll withdraw me and my bloody power:
Butif you frown upon this proffer'd peace
You tempt the fury of my three attendants
Lean faminequartering steeland 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.


GENERAL.
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;
ForI protestwe are well fortified
And strong enough to issue out and fight:



If thou retirethe Dauphinwell 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
Upon no Christian soul but English Talbot.
Lothere thou stand'sta breathing valiant man
Of an invincible unconquer'd spirit!
This is the latest glory of thy praise
That Ithy enemydue thee withal;
For ere the glassthat now begins to run
Finish the process of his sandy hour
These eyesthat see thee now well colored
Shall see thee wither'dbloodypaleand dead.


[Drum afar off.]


Hark! hark! the Dauphin's druma warning bell
Sings heavy music to thy timorous soul;
And mine shall ring thy dire departure out.


[Exeunt Generaletc.]


TALBOT.
He fables not; I hear the enemy:
Outsome light horsemenand peruse their wings.
Onegligent and heedless discipline!
How are we park'd and bounded in a pale
A little herd of England's timorous deer
Mazed with a yelping kennel of French curs!
If we be English deerbe then in blood;
Not rascal-liketo fall down with a pinch
But rathermoody-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
And they shall find dear deer of usmy friends.
God and Saint GeorgeTalbot and England's right
Prosper our colors in this dangerous fight!


[Exeunt.]


SCENE III. Plains in Gascony.


[Enter a Messenger that meets York. Enter York with trumpet and
many soldiers.]


YORK.
Are not the speedy scouts return'd again
That dogg'd the mighty army of the Dauphin?


MESSENGER.
They are return'dmy lordand give it out
That he is march'd to Bordeaux 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



Bordeaux.


YORK.
A plague upon that villain Somerset
That thus delays my promised supply
Of horsementhat were levied for this siege!
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 miscarryfarewell 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 hemm'd about with grim destruction.
To Bordeauxwarlike Duke! to BordeauxYork!
ElsefarewellTalbotFranceand England's honor.


YORK.
O Godthat Somersetwho in proud heart
Doth stop my cornetswere in Talbot's place!
So should we save a valiant gentleman
By forfeiting a traitor and a coward.
Mad ire and wrathful fury makes me weep
That thus we diewhile remiss traitors sleep.


LUCY.
Osend some succor to the distress'd lord!


YORK.
He dies; we lose; I break my warlike word;
We mournFrance smiles; we losethey daily get;
All 'long of this vile traitor Somerset.


LUCY.
Then God take mercy on brave Talbot's soul;
And on his son young Johnwho two hours since
I met in travel toward his warlike father!
This seven years did not Talbot see his son;
And now they meet where both their lives are done.


YORK.
Alaswhat joy shall noble Talbot have
To bid his young son welcome to his grave?
Away! vexation almost stops my breath
That sunder'd friends greet in the hour of death.
Lucyfarewell: no more my fortune can
But curse the cause I cannot aid the man.
MaineBloisPoictiersand Toursare won away
'Long all of Somerset and his delay.


[Exitwith his soldiers.]


LUCY.
Thuswhile the vulture of sedition
Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders
Sleeping neglection doth betray to loss
The conquest of our scarce cold conqueror
That ever living man of memory



Henry the Fifth: whiles they each other cross
Liveshonorslands and all hurry to loss.


[Exit.]


SCENE IV. Other plains in Gascony.


[Enter Somersetwith his army; a Captain of
Talbot's with him.]


SOMERSET.
It is too late; I cannot send them now:
This expedition was by York and Talbot
Too rashly plotted: all our general force
Might with a sally of the very town
Be buckled with: the over-daring Talbot
Hath sullied all his gloss of former honor
By this unheedfuldesperatewild adventure:
York set him on to fight and die in shame
ThatTalbot deadgreat York might bear the name.


CAPTAIN.
Here is Sir William Lucywho with me
Set from our o'er-match'd forces forth for aid.


[Enter Sir William Lucy.]


SOMERSET.
How nowSir William! whither were you sent?


LUCY.
Whithermy lord? from bought and sold Lord Talbot;
Whoring'd about with bold adversity
Cries out for noble York and Somerset
To beat assailing death from his weak legions;
And whiles the honorable captain there
Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs
Andin advantage lingeringlooks for rescue
Youhis false hopesthe trust of England's honor
Keep off aloof with worthless emulation.
Let not your private discord keep away
The levied succors that should lend him aid
While herenowned noble gentleman
Yield up his life unto a world of odds.
Orleans the BastardCharlesBurgundy
AlenconReigniercompass him about
And Talbot perisheth by your default.


SOMERSET.
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.


SOMERSET.
York lies; he might have sent and had the horse:
I owe him little dutyand less love;
And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending.


LUCY.



The fraud of Englandnot the force of France
Hath now entrapp'd the noble-minded Talbot:
Never to England shall he bear his life;
But diesbetray'd to fortune by your strife.


SOMERSET.
Comego; I will dispatch 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 notif he would have fled;
And fly would Talbot neverthough he might.


SOMERSET.
If he be deadbrave Talbotthen adieu!


LUCY.
His fame lives in the worldhis shame in you.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE V. The English camp near Bordeaux.


[Enter Talbot and John his son.]


TALBOT.
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
When sapless age and weak unable limbs
Should bring thy father to his drooping chair.
ButO malignant and ill-boding stars!
Now thou art come unto a feast of death
A terrible and unavoided danger:
Thereforedear boymount on my swiftest horse;
And I'll direct thee how thou shalt escape
By sudden flight: comedally notbe gone.


JOHN.
Is my name Talbot? and am I your son?
And shall I fly? Oif you love my mother
Dishonor not her honorable name
To make a bastard and a slave of me!
The world will sayhe is not Talbot's blood
That basely fled when noble Talbot stood.


TALBOT.
Flyto revenge my deathif I be slain.


JOHN.
He that flies so will ne'er return again.


TALBOT.
If we both staywe both are sure to die.


JOHN.
Then let me stay; andfatherdo you fly;
Your loss is greatso your regard should be;
My worth unknownno loss is known in me.
Upon my death the French can little boast;
In yours they willin you all hopes are lost.



Flight cannot stain the honor you have won;
But mine it willthat no exploit have done;
You fled for vantageevery one will swear;
Butif I bowthey 'll say it was for fear.
There is no hope that ever I will stay
If the first hour I shrink and run away.
Here on my knee I beg mortality
Rather than life preserved with infamy.


TALBOT.
Shall all thy mother's hopes lie in one tomb?


JOHN.
Ayerather than I 'll shame my mother's womb.


TALBOT.
Upon my blessingI command thee go.


JOHN.
To fight I willbut not to fly the foe.


TALBOT.
Part of thy father may be saved in thee.


JOHN.
No part of him but will be shame in me.


TALBOT.
Thou never hadst renownnor canst not lose it.


JOHN.
Yesyour renowned name: shall flight abuse it?


TALBOT.
Thy father's charge shall clear thee from that stain.


JOHN.
You cannot witness for mebeing slain.
If death be so apparentthen both fly.


TALBOT.
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:
Staygodo what you willthe like do I;
For live I will notif my father die.


TALBOT.
Then here I take my leave of theefair son
Born to eclipse thy life this afternoon.
Comeside by side together live and die;
And soul with soul from France to heaven fly.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE VI. A field of battle.


[Alarum: excursionswherein Talbot's Son is hemmed



aboutand Talbot rescues him.]


TALBOT.
Saint George and victory; fightsoldiersfight:
The regent hath with Talbot broke his word
And left us to the rage of France his sword.
Where is John Talbot? Pauseand take thy breath;
I gave thee life and rescued thee from death.


JOHN.
Otwice my fathertwice am I thy son!
The life thou gavest me first was lost and done
Till with thy warlike sworddespite of fate
To my determined time thou gavest new date.


TALBOT.
When from the Dauphin's crest thy sword struck fire
It warm'd thy father's heart with proud desire
Of bold-faced victory. Then leaden age
Quicken'd with youthful spleen and warlike rage
Beat down AlenconOrleansBurgundy
And from the pride of Gallia rescued thee.
The ireful bastard Orleansthat drew blood
From theemy boyand had the maidenhood
Of thy first fightI soon encountered
And interchanging blows I quickly shed
Some of his bastard blood; and in disgrace
Bespoke him thus; 'Contaminated base
And misbegotten blood I spill of thine
Mean and right poorfor that pure blood of mine
Which thou didst force from Talbotmy brave boy:'
Herepurposing the Bastard to destroy
Came in strong rescue. Speakthy father's care
Art thou not wearyJohn? how dost thou fare?
Wilt thou yet leave the battleboyand fly
Now thou art seal'd the son of chivalry?
Flyto revenge my death when I am dead:
The help of one stands me in little stead.
Otoo much folly is itwell I wot
To hazard all our lives in one small boat!
If I to-day die not with Frenchmen's rage
To-morrow I shall die with mickle age:
By me they nothing gain an if I stay;
'Tis but the short'ning of my life one day:
In thee thy mother diesour household's name
My death's revengethy youthand England's fame:
All these and more we hazard by thy stay;
All these are saved if thou wilt fly away.


JOHN.
The sword of Orleans hath not made me smart;
These words of yours draw life-blood from my heart:
On that advantagebought with such a shame
To save a paltry life and slay bright fame
Before young Talbot from old Talbot fly
The coward horse that bears me fall and die!
And like me to the peasant boys of France
To be shame's scorn and subject of mischance!
Surelyby all the glory you have won
An if I flyI am not Talbot's son;
Then talk no more of flightit is no boot;
If son to Talbotdie at Talbot's foot.


TALBOT.



Then follow thou thy desperate sire of Crete
Thou Icarus; thy life to me is sweet:
If thou wilt fightfight by thy father's side;
Andcommendable provedlet 's die in pride.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE VII. Another part of the field.


[Alarum: excursions. Enter old Talbot led by a Servant.]


TALBOT.
Where is my other life? mine own is gone;
Owhere's young Talbot? where is valiant John?
Triumphant deathsmear'd with captivity
Young Talbot's valor makes me smile at thee:
When he perceived me shrink and on my knee
His bloody sword he brandish'd over me
Andlike a hungry liondid commence
Rough deeds of rage and stern impatience;
But when my angry guardant stood alone
Tendering 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 clustering battle of the French;
And in that sea of blood my boy did drench
His over-mounting spiritand there died
My Icarusmy blossomin his pride.


SERVANT.
O my dear lordlo where your son is borne!


[Enter soldierswith the body of young Talbot.]


TALBOT.
Thou antic Deathwhich laugh'st us here to scorn
Anonfrom thy insulting tyranny
Coupled in bonds of perpetuity
Two Talbotswinged through the lither sky
In thy despite shall 'scape mortality.
O thouwhose wounds become hard-favor'd death
Speak to thy father ere thou yield thy breath!
Brave death by speakingwhether he will or no;
Imagine him a Frenchman and thy foe.
Poor boy! he smilesmethinksas who should say
Had death been Frenchthen death had died to-day.
Comecome and lay him in his father's arms:
My spirit can no longer bear these harms.
Soldiersadieu! I have what I would have
Now my old arms are young John Talbot's grave.


[Dies.]


[Enter CharlesAlenconBurgundyBastard
La Pucelleand forces.]


CHARLES.
Had York and Somerset brought rescue in
We should have found a bloody day of this.


BASTARD.
How the young whelp of Talbot'sraging-wood



Did flesh his puny sword in Frenchmen's blood!


PUCELLE.
Once I encounter'd himand thus I said:
'Thou maiden youthbe vanquish'd by a maid.'
Butwith a proud majestical high scorn
He answer'd thus: 'Young Talbot was not born
To be the pillage of a giglot wench:'
Sorushing in the bowels of the French
He left me proudlyas unworthy fight.


BURGUNDY.
Doubtless he would have made a noble knight:
Seewhere he lies inhearsed in the arms
Of the most bloody nurser of his harms!


BASTARD.
Hew them to pieceshack their bones asunder
Whose life was England's gloryGallia's wonder.


CHARLES.
Onoforbear! for that which we have fled
During the lifelet us not wrong it dead.


[Enter Sir William Lucyattended; Herald of the French
preceding.]


LUCY.
Heraldconduct me to the Dauphin's tent
To know who hath obtain'd the glory of the day.


CHARLES.
On what submissive message art thou sent?


LUCY.
SubmissionDauphin! 'tis a mere French word;
We English warriors wot not what it means.
I come to know what prisoners thou hast ta'en
And to survey the bodies of the dead.


CHARLES.
For prisoners ask'st thou? hell our prison is.
But tell me whom thou seek'st.


LUCY.
But where's the great Alcides of the field
Valiant Lord TalbotEarl of Shrewsbury
Created for his rare success in arms
Great Earl of WashfordWaterfordand Valence;
Lord Talbot of Goodrig and Urchinfield
Lord Strange of BlackmereLord Verdun of Alton
Lord Cromwell of WingfieldLord Furnival of Sheffield
The thrice-victorious Lord of Falconbridge;
Knight of the noble order of Saint George
Worthy Saint Michaeland the Golden Fleece;
Great marshal to Henry the Sixth
Of all his wars within the realm of France?


PUCELLE.
Here's a silly stately style indeed!
The Turkthat two and fifty kingdoms hath
Writes not so tedious a style as this.
Him that thou magnifiest with all these titles
Stinking and fly-blown lies here at our feet.



LUCY.
Is Talbot slainthe Frenchman's only scourge
Your kingdom's terror and black Nemesis?
Owere mine eye-balls into bullets turn'd
That I in rage might shoot them at your faces!
Othat I could but can these dead to life!
It were enough to fright the realm of France:
Were but his picture left amongst you here
It would amaze the proudest of you all.
Give me their bodiesthat I may bear them hence
And give them burial as beseems their worth.


PUCELLE.
I think this upstart is old Talbot's ghost
He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit
For God's sakelet him have 'em; to keep them here
They would but stinkand putrify the air.


CHARLES.
Gotake their bodies hence.


LUCY.
I 'll bear them hence; but from their ashes shall be
rear'd
A phoenix that shall make all France afeard.


CHARLES.
So we be rid of themdo with 'em what thou wilt.
And now to Parisin this conquering vein:
All will be oursnow bloody Talbot's slain.


[Exeunt.]


ACT FIFTH


SCENE I. London. The palace.


[Sennet. Enter KingGloucesterand Exeter.]


KING.
Have you perused the letters from the pope
The emperorand the Earl of Armagnac?


GLOUCESTER.
I havemy lord: and their intent is this:
They humbly sue unto your excellence
To have a godly peace concluded of
Between the realms of England and of France.


KING.
How doth your grace affect their motion?


GLOUCESTER.
Wellmy good lord; and as the only means
To stop effusion of our Christian blood
And stablish quietness on every side.


KING.
Ayemarryuncle; for I always thought
It was both impious and unnatural
That such immanity and bloody strife



Should reign among professors of one faith.


GLOUCESTER.
Besidemy lordthe sooner to effect
And surer bind this knot of amity
The Earl of Armagnacnear knit to Charles
A man of great authority in France
Proffers his only daughter to your grace
In marriagewith a large and sumptuous dowry.


KING.
Marriageuncle! alasmy years are young!
And fitter is my study and my books
Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet call the ambassadors; andas you please
So let them have their answers every one:
I shall be well content with any choice
Tends to God's glory and my country's weal.


[Enter Winchester in Cardinal's habita Legate
and two Ambassadors.]


EXETER.
What! is my Lord of Winchester install'd
And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?
Then I perceive that will be verified
Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy
'If once he come to be a cardinal
He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.'


KING.
My lords ambassadorsyour several suits
Have been consider'd and debated on.
Your purpose is both good and reasonable;
And therefore are we certainly resolved
To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.


GLOUCESTER.
And for the proffer of my lord your master
I have inform'd his highness so at large
As liking of the lady's virtuous gifts
Her beauty and the value of her dower
He doth intend she shall be England's Queen.


KING.
In argument and proof of which contract
Bear her this jewelpledge of my affection.
And somy lord protectorsee them guarded
And safely brought to Dover; where inshipp'd
Commit them to the fortune of the sea.


[Exeunt all but Winchester and Legate.]


WINCHESTER.
Stay my lord legate: you shall first receive
The sum of money which I promised
Should be deliver'd to his holiness
For clothing me in these grave ornaments.


LEGATE.
I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.



WINCHESTER.
[Aside] Now Winchester will not submitI trow
Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
Humphrey of Gloucesterthou shalt well perceive
That neither in birth or for authority
The bishop will be overborne by thee:
I 'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee
Or sack this country with a mutiny.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE II. France. Plains in Anjou.


[Enter CharlesBurgundyAlenconBastard
ReignierLa Pucelleand forces.]


CHARLES.
These newsmy lordsmay cheer our drooping spirits:
'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French.


ALENCON.
Then march to Parisroyal Charles of France
And keep not back your powers in dalliance.


PUCELLE.
Peace be amongst themif they turn to us;
Elseruin combat with their palaces!


[Enter Scout.]


SCOUT.
Success unto our valiant general
And happiness to his accomplices!


CHARLES.
What tidings send our scouts? I pritheespeak.


SCOUT.
The English armythat divided was
Into two partiesis now conjoin'd in one
And means to give you battle presently.


CHARLES.
Somewhat too suddensirsthe warning is;
But we will presently provide for them.


BURGUNDY.
I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there:
Now he is gonemy lordyou need not fear.


PUCELLE.
Of all base passionsfear is most accursed.
Command the conquestCharlesit shall be thine
Let Henry fret and all the world repine.


CHARLES.
Then onmy lords; and France be fortunate!


[Exeunt.]



SCENE III. Before Angiers.

[Alarum. Excursions. Enter La Pucelle.]

PUCELLE.
The regent conquersand the Frenchmen fly.
Now helpye charming spells and periapts;
And ye choice spirits that admonish me
And give me signs of future accidents. [Thunder]
You speedy helpersthat are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north
Appear and aid me in this enterprise.


[Enter Fiends.]


This speedy and quick appearance argues proof
Of your accustom'd diligence to me.
Nowye familiar spiritsthat are cull'd
Out of the powerful regions under earth
Help me this oncethat France may get the field.


[They walk and speak not.]


Ohold me not with silence over-long!
Where I was wont to feed you with my blood
I 'll lop a member off and give it you
In earnest of a further benefit
So you do condescend to help me now.


[They hang their heads.]


No hope to have redress? My body shall
Pay recompenseif you will grant my suit.


[They shake their heads.]


Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice
Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
Then take my soulmy bodysoul and all
Before that England give the French the foil.


[They depart.]


Seethey forsake me! Now the time is come
That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest
And let her head fall into England's lap.
My ancient incantations are too weak
And hell too strong for me to buckle with:
NowFrancethy glory droopeth to the dust.


[Exit.]


[Excursions. Re-enter La Pucelle fighting hand to
hand with York: La Pucelle is taken. The French fly.]


YORK.
Damsel of FranceI think I have you fast:
Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms
And try if they can gain your liberty.
A goodly prizefit for the devil's grace!
Seehow the ugly witch doth bend her brows
As if with Circe she would change my shape!



PUCELLE.
Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be.


YORK.
OCharles the Dauphin is a proper man;
No shape but his can please your dainty eye.


PUCELLE.
A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!
And may ye both be suddenly surprised
By bloody handsin sleeping on your beds!


YORK.
Fell banning hag; enchantresshold thy tongue!


PUCELLE.
I pritheegive me leave to curse awhile.


YORK.
Cursemiscreantwhen thou comest to the stake.


[Exeunt.]


[Alarum. Enter Suffolkwith Margaret in his hand.]


SUFFOLK.
Be what thou wiltthou art my prisoner.


[Gazes on her.]


O fairest beautydo not fear nor fly!
For I will touch thee but with reverent hands;
I kiss these fingers for eternal peace
And lay them gently on thy tender side.
Who art thou? saythat I may honor thee.


MARGARET.
Margaret my nameand daughter to a king
The King of Napleswhosoe'er thou art.


SUFFOLK.
An earl I amand Suffolk am I call'd.
Be not offendednature's miracle
Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me.
So doth the swan her downy cygnets save
Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings.
Yetif this servile usage once offend
Go and be free again as Suffolk's friend.


[She is going.]


Ostay! I have no power to let her pass;
My hand would free herbut my heart says no.
As plays the sun upon the glassy streams
Twinkling another counterfeited beam
So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
Fain would I woo heryet I dare not speak:
I'll call for pen and inkand write my mind.
Fiede la Pole! disable not thyself;
Hast not a tongue? is she not here?
Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight?
Ayebeauty's princely majesty is such
Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.



MARGARET.
SayEarl of Suffolk--if thy name be so--
What ransom must I pay before I pass?
For I perceive I am thy prisoner.


SUFFOLK.
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit
Before thou make a trial of her love?


MARGARET.
Why speak'st thou not? what ransom must I pay?


SUFFOLK.
She's beautiful and therefore to be woo'd;
She is a womantherefore to be won.


MARGARET.
Wilt thou accept of ransom? yeaor no.


SUFFOLK.
Fond manremember that thou hast a wife;
Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?


MARGARET.
I were best leave himfor he will not hear.


SUFFOLK.
There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card.


MARGARET.
He talks at random; surethe man is mad.


SUFFOLK.
And yet a dispensation may be had.


MARGARET.
And yet I would that you would answer me.


SUFFOLK.
I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
Whyfor my king; tushthat 's a wooden thing!


MARGARET.
He talks of wood: it is some carpenter.


SUFFOLK.
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied
And peace established between these realms.
But there remains a scruple in that too;
For though her father be the King of Naples
Duke of Anjou and Maineyet is he poor
And our nobility will scorn the match.


MARGARET.
Hear yecaptainare you not at leisure?


SUFFOLK.
It shall be sodisdain they ne'er so much:
Henry is youthful and will quickly yield.
MadamI have a secret to reveal.


MARGARET.
What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a knight



And will not any way dishonor me.


SUFFOLK.
Ladyvouchsafe to listen what I say.


MARGARET.
Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French;
And then I need not crave his courtesy.


SUFFOLK.
Sweet madamgive me hearing in a cause--


MARGARET.
Tush! women have been captivate ere now.


SUFFOLK.
Ladywherefore talk you so?


MARGARET.
I cry you mercy'tis but Quid for Quo.


SUFFOLK.
Saygentle princesswould you not suppose
Your bondage happyto be made a queen?


MARGARET.
To be a queen in bondage is more vile
Than is a slave in base servility;
For princes should be free.


SUFFOLK.
And so shall you
If happy England's royal king be free.


MARGARET.
Whywhat concerns his freedom unto me?


SUFFOLK.
I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen
To put a golden scepter in thy hand
And set a precious crown upon thy head
If thou wilt condescend to be my--


MARGARET.
What?


SUFFOLK.
His love.


MARGARET.
I am unworthy to be Henry's wife.


SUFFOLK.
Nogentle madam; I unworthy am
To woo so fair a dame to be his wife
And have no portion in the choice myself.
How say youmadamare ye so content?


MARGARET.
An if my father pleaseI am content.


SUFFOLK.
Then call our captain and our colors forth.
Andmadamat your father's castle walls



We'll crave a parleyto confer with him.

[A parley sounded. Enter Reignier on the walls.]

SeeReignierseethy daughter prisoner!

REIGNIER. To whom?

SUFFOLK.
To me.


REIGNIER.
Suffolkwhat remedy?
I am a soldierand unapt to weep
Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.


SUFFOLK.
Yesthere is remedy enoughmy lord:
Consentand for thy honor give consent
Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king;
Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto;
And this her easy-held imprisonment
Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty.


REIGNIER.
Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?


SUFFOLK.
Fair Margaret knows
That Suffolk doth not flatterfaceor feign.


REIGNIER.
Upon thy princely warrantI descend
To give thee answer of thy just demand.


[Exit from the walls.]


SUFFOLK.
And here I will expect thy coming.


[Trumpets sound. Enter Reignierbelow.]


REIGNIER.
Welcomebrave earlinto our territories:
Command in Anjou what your honor pleases.


SUFFOLK.
ThanksReignierhappy for so sweet a child
Fit to be made companion with a king:
What answer makes your grace unto my suit?


REIGNIER.
Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
To be the princely bride of such a lord;
Upon condition I may quietly
Enjoy mine ownthe country Maine and Anjou
Free from oppression or the stroke of war
My daughter shall be Henry'sif he please.


SUFFOLK.
That is her ransom; I deliver her;
And those two counties I will undertake
Your Grace shall well and quietly enjoy.



REIGNIER.
And I againin Henry's royal name
As deputy unto that gracious king
Give thee her handfor sign of plighted faith.


SUFFOLK.
Reignier of FranceI give thee kingly thanks
Because this is in traffic of a king.
[Aside] And yetmethinksI could be well content
To be mine own attorney in this case.
I 'll over then to England with this news
And make this marriage to be solemnized.
SofarewellReignier; set this diamond safe
In golden palacesas it becomes.


REIGNIER.
I do embrace thee as I would embrace
The Christian princeKing Henrywere he here.


MARGARET.
Farewellmy lord: good wishespraise and prayers.
Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [Going.


SUFFOLK.
Farewellsweet madam: but hark youMargaret;
No princely commendations to my king?


MARGARET.
Such commendations as becomes a maid
A virgin and his servantsay to him.


SUFFOLK.
Words sweetly placed and modestly directed.
ButmadamI must trouble you again;
No loving token to his majesty?


MARGARET.
Yesmy good lorda pure unspotted heart
Never yet taint with loveI send the king.


SUFFOLK.
And this withal. [Kisses her.]


MARGARET.
That for thyself: I will not so presume
To send such peevish tokens to a king.


[Exeunt Reignier and Margaret.]


SUFFOLK. Owert thou for myself! ButSuffolkstay;
Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth;
There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise:
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount
And natural graces that extinguish art;
Repeat their semblance often on the seas
Thatwhen thou comest to kneel at Henry's feet
Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.


[Exit.]


SCENE IV. Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou.



[Enter YorkWarwickand others.]


YORK.
Bring forth that sorceress condemn'd to burn.


[Enter La Pucelleguardedand a Shepherd.]


SHEPHERD.
AhJoanthis kills thy father's heart outright!
Have I sought every country far and near
And now it is my chance to find thee out
Must I behold thy timeless cruel death?
AhJoansweet daughter JoanI 'll die with thee!


PUCELLE.
Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
I am descended of a gentler blood:
Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.


SHEPHERD.
Outout! My lordsas please you'tis not so;
I did beget herall the parish knows.
Her mother liveth yetcan testify
She was the first fruit of my bachelorship.


WARWICK.
Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage?


YORK.
This argues what her kind of life hath been
Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.


SHEPHERD.
FieJoanthat thou wilt be so obstacle!
God knows thou art a collop of my flesh;
And for thy sake have I shed many a tear:
Deny me notI pritheegentle Joan.


PUCELLE.
Peasantavaunt! You have suborn'd this man
Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.


SHEPHERD.
'Tis trueI gave a noble to the priest
The morn that I was wedded to her mother.
Kneel down and take my blessinggood my girl.
Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time
Of thy nativity! I would the milk
Thy mother gave thee when thou suck'dst her breast
Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake!
Or elsewhen thou didst keep my lambs a-field
I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee!
Dost thou deny thy fathercursed drab?
Oburn herburn her! hanging is too good.


[Exit.]


YORK.
Take her away; for she hath lived too long
To fill the world with vicious qualities.


PUCELLE.
Firstlet me tell you whom you have condemn'd:



Not me begotten of a shepherd swain
But issued from the progeny of kings;
Virtuous and holy; chosen from above
By inspiration of celestial grace
To work exceeding miracles on earth.
I never had to do with wicked spirits:
But youthat are polluted with your lusts
Stain'd with the guiltless blood of innocents
Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices
Because you want the grace that others have
You judge it straight a thing impossible
To compass wonders but by help of devils.
Nomisconceived! Joan of Arc hath been
A virgin from her tender infancy
Chaste and immaculate in very thought;
Whose maiden bloodthus rigorously effused
Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.


YORK.
Ayeaye: away with her to execution!


WARWICK.
And hark yesirs; because she is a maid
Spare for no faggotslet there be enow:
Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake
That so her torture may be shortened.


PUCELLE.
Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?
ThenJoandiscover thine infirmity
That warranteth by law to be thy privilege.
I am with childye bloody homicides:
Murder not then the fruit within my womb
Although ye hale me to a violent death.


YORK.
Now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child!


WARWICK.
The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought:
Is all your strict preciseness come to this?


YORK.
She and the Dauphin have been juggling:
I did imagine what would be her refuge.


WARWICK.
Wellgo to; we'll have no bastards live;
Especially since Charles must father it.


PUCELLE.
You are deceived; my child is none of his:
It was Alencon that enjoy'd my love.


YORK.
Alencon! that notorious Machiavel!
It diesan if it had a thousand lives.


PUCELLE.
Ogive me leaveI have deluded you:
'Twas neither Charles nor yet the duke I named
But Reignierking of Naplesthat prevail'd.


WARWICK.



A married man! that's most intolerable.


YORK.
Whyhere's a girl! I think she knows not well
There were so manywhom she may accuse.


WARWICK.
It's sign she hath been liberal and free.


YORK.
And yetforsoothshe is a virgin pure.
Strumpetthy words condemn thy brat and thee:
Use no entreatyfor it is in vain.


PUCELLE.
Then lead me hence; with whom I leave my curse:
May never glorious sun reflex his beams
Upon the country where you make abode:
But darkness and the gloomy shade of death
Environ youtill mischief and despair
Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves!


[Exitguarded.]


YORK.
Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes
Thou foul accursed minister of hell!


[Enter Cardinal BeaufortBishop of Winchester
attended.]


CARDINAL.
Lord regentI do greet your excellence
With letters of commission from the king.
For knowmy lordsthe states of Christendom
Moved with remorse of these outrageous broils
Have earnestly implored a general peace
Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French;
And here at hand the Dauphin and his train
Approachethto confer about some matter.


YORK.
Is all our travail turn'd to this effect?
After the slaughter of so many peers
So many captainsgentlemen and soldiers
That in this quarrel have been overthrown
And sold their bodies for their country's benefit
Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace?
Have we not lost most part of all the towns
By treasonfalsehoodand by treachery
Our great progenitors had conquered?
OWarwickWarwick! I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France.


WARWICK.
Be patientYork: if we conclude
a peace
It shall be with such strict and severe covenants
As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.


[Enter CharlesAlenconBastardReignierand others.]


CHARLES.
Sincelords of Englandit is thus agreed



That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France
We come to be informed by yourselves
What the conditions of that league must be.


YORK.
SpeakWinchester; for boiling choler chokes
The hollow passage of my poison'd voice
By sight of these our baleful enemies.


CARDINAL.
Charlesand the restit is enacted thus:
Thatin regard King Henry gives consent
Of mere compassion and of lenity
To ease your country of distressful war
And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace
You shall become true liegemen to his crown:
AndCharlesupon condition thou wilt swear
To pay him tribute and submit thyself
Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him
And still enjoy the regal dignity.


ALENCON.
Must he be then as shadow of himself?
Adorn his temples with a coronet
And yetin substance and authority
Retain but privilege of a private man?
This proffer is absurd and reasonless.


CHARLES.
'Tis known already that I am possess'd
With more than half the Gallian territories
And therein reverenced for their lawful king:
Shall Ifor lucre of the rest unvanquish'd
Detract so much from that prerogative
As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole?
Nolord ambassadorI 'll rather keep
That which I have thancoveting for more
Be cast from possibility of all.


YORK.
Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means
Used intercession to obtain a league
Andnow the matter grows to compromise
Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison?
Either accept the title thou usurp'st
Of benefit proceeding from our king
And not of any challenge of desert
Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.


REIGNIER.
My lordyou do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract:
If once it be neglectedten to one
We shall not find like opportunity.


ALENCON.
To say the truthit is your policy
To save your subjects from such massacre
And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen
By our proceeding in hostility;
And therefore take this compact of a truce
Although you break it when your pleasure serves.


WARWICK.



How say'st thouCharles? shall our condition stand?


CHARLES.
It shall;
Only reserv'dyou claim no interest
In any of our towns of garrison.


YORK.
Then swear allegiance to his majesty
As thou art knightnever to disobey
Nor be rebellious to the crown of England
Thounor thy noblesto the crown of England.
Sonow dismiss your army when ye please;
Hang up your ensignslet your drums be still
For here we entertain a solemn peace.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE V. London. The royal palace.


[Enter Suffolk in conference with the King
Gloucester and Exeter.]


KING.
Your wondrous rare descriptionnoble earl
Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me.
Her virtues graced with external gifts
Do breed love's settled passions in my heart:
And like as rigor of tempestuous gusts
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide
So am I driven by breath of her renown
Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love.


SUFFOLK.
Tushmy good lordthis superficial tale
Is but a preface of her worthy praise;
The chief perfections of that lovely dame
Had I sufficient skill to utter them
Would make a volume of enticing lines
Able to ravish any dull conceit:
Andwhich is moreshe is not so divine
So full-replete with choice of all delights
But with as humble lowliness of mind
She is content to be at your command;
CommandI meanof virtuous intents
To love and honor Henry as her lord.


KING.
And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume.
Thereforemy lord protectorgive consent
That Margaret may be England's royal queen.


GLOUCESTER.
So should I give consent to flatter sin.
You knowmy lordyour highness is betroth'd
Unto another lady of esteem:
How shall we then dispense with that contract
And not deface your honor with reproach?


SUFFOLK.
As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths;



Or one thatat a triumph having vow'd
To try his strengthforsaketh yet the lists
By reason of his adversary's odds:
A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds
And therefore may be broke without offense.


GLOUCESTER.
WhywhatI prayis Margaret more than that?
Her father is no better than an earl
Although in glorious titles he excel.


SUFFOLK.
Yesmy lordher father is a king
The King of Naples and Jerusalem;
And of such great authority in France
As his alliance will confirm our peace
And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.


GLOUCESTER.
And so the Earl of Armagnac may do
Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.


EXETER.
Besidehis wealth doth warrant a liberal dower
Where Reignier sooner will receive than give.


SUFFOLK.
A dowermy lords! disgrace not so your king
That he should be so abjectbase and poor
To choose for wealth and not for perfect love.
Henry is able to enrich his queen
And not to seek a queen to make him rich:
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives
As market-men for oxensheepor horse.
Marriage is a matter of more worth
Than to be dealt in by attorneyship;
Not whom we will; but whom his grace affects
Must be companion of his nuptial bed:
And thereforelordssince he affects her most
It most of all these reasons bindeth us
In our opinions she should be preferr'd.
For what is wedlock forced but a hell
An age of discord and continual strife?
Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss
And is a pattern of celestial peace.
Whom should we match with Henrybeing a king
But Margaretthat is daughter to a king?
Her peerless featurejoined with her birth
Approves her fit for none but for a king;
Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit
More than in women commonly is seen
Will answer our hope in issue of a king;
For Henryson unto a conqueror
Is likely to beget more conquerors
If with a lady of so high resolve
As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love.
Then yieldmy lords; and here conclude with me
That Margaret shall be queenand none but she.


KING.
Whether it be through force of your report
My noble Lord of Suffolkor for that
My tender youth was never yet attaint
With any passion of inflaming love



I cannot tell; but this I am assured
I feel such sharp dissension in my breast
Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear
As I am sick with working of my thoughts.
Takethereforeshipping; postmy lordto France;
Agree to any covenantsand procure
That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come
To cross the seas to Englandand be crown'd
King Henry's faithful and anointed queen:
For your expenses and sufficient charge
Among the people gather up a tenth.
Be goneI say; for till you do return
I rest perplexed with a thousand cares.
And yougood unclebanish all offense:
If you do censure me by what you were
Not what you areI know it will excuse
This sudden execution of my will.
And soconduct me wherefrom company
I may revolve and ruminate my grief.


[Exit.]


GLOUCESTER.
AyegriefI fear meboth at first and last.


[Exeunt Gloucester and Exeter.]


SUFFOLK.
Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd; and thus he goes
As did the youthful Paris once to Greece
With hope to find the like event in love
But prosper better than the Troyan did.
Margaret shall now be queenand rule the king;
But I will rule both herthe king and realm.


[Exit.]