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Title: Henry VI, Part 1 (published 1592)
Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)
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Summary
Henry VI, Part 1, often referred to as 1 Henry VI, is a history play by William Shakespeare—possibly in collaboration with Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Nashe—believed to have been written in 1591. It is set during the lifetime of King Henry VI of England.
Whereas Henry VI, Part 2 deals with the King's inability to quell the bickering of his nobles and the inevitability of armed conflict and Henry VI, Part 3 deals with the horrors of that conflict, Henry VI, Part 1 deals with the loss of England's French territories and the political machinations leading up to the Wars of the Roses, as the English political system is torn apart by personal squabbles and petty jealousy.
Source: Wikipedia
Dramatis Personæ
Dramatis Personæ
The English
King Henry VI
Lord Talbot, afterwards Earl of Shrewsbury
John Talbot, his son
Duke of Gloucester, the king’s uncle, and Lord Protector
Duke of Bedford, the king’s uncle, and Regent of France
Duke of Exeter, the king’s great-uncle
Cardinal, Bishop of Winchester, the king’s great-uncle
Duke of Somerset
Richard Plantagenet, later Duke of York, and Regent of France
Earl of Warwick
Earl of Salisbury
Earl of Suffolk, William de la Pole
Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March
Sir William Glansdale
Sir Thomas Gargrave
Sir John Fastolf
Sir William Lucy
Woodville, Lieutenant of the Tower of London
Vernon, of the White Rose or York faction
Basset, of the Red Rose or Lancaster faction
A Lawyer
Jailors to Mortimer
A Legate
Mayor of London
Heralds, Attendants, three Messengers, Servingmen in blue coats and in tawny coats, two Warders, Officers, Soldiers, Captains, Watch, Trumpeters, Drummer, Servant, two Ambassadors
The French
Charles, Dauphin of France
Joan la Pucelle, also Joan of Arc
Reignier, Duke of Anjou and Maine, King of Naples
Margaret, his daughter
Duke of Alanson
Bastard of Orleance
Duke of Burgundy
General of the French forces at Bordeaux
Countess of Auvergne
Her Porter
Master Gunner of Orleance
Boy, his son
Sergeant of a Band
A Shepherd, Pucelle’s father
Drummer, Soldiers, two Sentinels, Messenger, Soldiers, Governor of Paris, Herald, Scout, Fiends accompanying Pucelle
ACT 1
Scene 1
Dead March. Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifth, attended on by the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France; the Duke of Gloucester, Protector; the Duke of Exeter; the Earl of Warwick; the Bishop of Winchester; and the Duke of Somerset, with Heralds and Attendants.
BEDFORD
line 0001Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night!
line 0002Comets, importing change of times and states,
line 0003Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky,
line 0004And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
5line 0005That have consented unto Henry’s death:
line 0006King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long.
line 0007England ne’er lost a king of so much worth.
GLOUCESTER
line 0008England ne’er had a king until his time.
line 0009Virtue he had, deserving to command;
10line 0010His brandished sword did blind men with his beams;
line 0011His arms spread wider than a dragon’s wings;
line 0012His sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire,
line 0013More dazzled and drove back his enemies
line 0014Than midday sun fierce bent against their faces.
15line 0015What should I say? His deeds exceed all speech.
line 0016He ne’er lift up his hand but conquerèd.
EXETER
line 0017We mourn in black; why mourn we not in blood?
line 0018Henry is dead and never shall revive.
line 0019Upon a wooden coffin we attend,
20line 0020And Death’s dishonorable victory
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9
line 0021We with our stately presence glorify,
line 0022Like captives bound to a triumphant car.
line 0023What? Shall we curse the planets of mishap
line 0024That plotted thus our glory’s overthrow?
25line 0025Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
line 0026Conjurers and sorcerers, that, afraid of him,
line 0027By magic verses have contrived his end?
WINCHESTER
line 0028He was a king blest of the King of kings;
line 0029Unto the French the dreadful Judgment Day
30line 0030So dreadful will not be as was his sight.
line 0031The battles of the Lord of Hosts he fought;
line 0032The Church’s prayers made him so prosperous.
GLOUCESTER
line 0033The Church? Where is it? Had not churchmen prayed,
line 0034His thread of life had not so soon decayed.
35line 0035None do you like but an effeminate prince
line 0036Whom like a schoolboy you may overawe.
WINCHESTER
line 0037Gloucester, whate’er we like, thou art Protector
line 0038And lookest to command the Prince and realm.
line 0039Thy wife is proud; she holdeth thee in awe
40line 0040More than God or religious churchmen may.
GLOUCESTER
line 0041Name not religion, for thou lov’st the flesh,
line 0042And ne’er throughout the year to church thou go’st,
line 0043Except it be to pray against thy foes.
BEDFORD
line 0044Cease, cease these jars, and rest your minds in peace!
45line 0045Let’s to the altar.—Heralds, wait on us.—
line 0046Instead of gold, we’ll offer up our arms,
line 0047Since arms avail not, now that Henry’s dead.
line 0048Posterity, await for wretched years
line 0049When at their mothers’ moistened eyes babes shall
50line 0050suck,
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 11
line 0051Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears,
line 0052And none but women left to wail the dead.
line 0053Henry the Fifth, thy ghost I invocate:
line 0054Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils,
55line 0055Combat with adverse planets in the heavens.
line 0056A far more glorious star thy soul will make
line 0057Than Julius Caesar or bright—
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
line 0058My honorable lords, health to you all.
line 0059Sad tidings bring I to you out of France,
60line 0060Of loss, of slaughter, and discomfiture:
line 0061Guyen, Champaigne, Rheims, Roan, Orleance,
line 0062Paris, Gisors, Poitiers, are all quite lost.
BEDFORD
line 0063What say’st thou, man, before dead Henry’s corse?
line 0064Speak softly, or the loss of those great towns
65line 0065Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.
GLOUCESTER
line 0066Is Paris lost? Is Roan yielded up?
line 0067If Henry were recalled to life again,
line 0068These news would cause him once more yield the
line 0069ghost.
EXETER
70line 0070How were they lost? What treachery was used?
MESSENGER
line 0071No treachery, but want of men and money.
line 0072Amongst the soldiers, this is mutterèd:
line 0073That here you maintain several factions
line 0074And, whilst a field should be dispatched and fought,
75line 0075You are disputing of your generals.
line 0076One would have ling’ring wars with little cost;
line 0077Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings;
line 0078A third thinks, without expense at all,
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 13
line 0079By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.
80line 0080Awake, awake, English nobility!
line 0081Let not sloth dim your honors new begot.
line 0082Cropped are the flower-de-luces in your arms;
line 0083Of England’s coat, one half is cut away.He exits.
EXETER
line 0084Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
85line 0085These tidings would call forth her flowing tides.
BEDFORD
line 0086Me they concern; regent I am of France.
line 0087Give me my steelèd coat, I’ll fight for France.
line 0088Away with these disgraceful wailing robes.
line 0089Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes
90line 0090To weep their intermissive miseries.
Enter to them another Messenger, with papers.
SECOND MESSENGER
line 0091Lords, view these letters, full of bad mischance.
line 0092France is revolted from the English quite,
line 0093Except some petty towns of no import.
line 0094The Dauphin Charles is crownèd king in Rheims;
95line 0095The Bastard of Orleance with him is joined;
line 0096Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part;
line 0097The Duke of Alanson flieth to his side.He exits.
EXETER
line 0098The Dauphin crownèd king? All fly to him?
line 0099O, whither shall we fly from this reproach?
GLOUCESTER
100line 0100We will not fly but to our enemies’ throats.—
line 0101Bedford, if thou be slack, I’ll fight it out.
BEDFORD
line 0102Gloucester, why doubt’st thou of my forwardness?
line 0103An army have I mustered in my thoughts,
line 0104Wherewith already France is overrun.
Enter another Messenger.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 15
THIRD MESSENGER
105line 0105My gracious lords, to add to your laments,
line 0106Wherewith you now bedew King Henry’s hearse,
line 0107I must inform you of a dismal fight
line 0108Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.
WINCHESTER
line 0109What? Wherein Talbot overcame, is ’t so?
THIRD MESSENGER
110line 0110O no, wherein Lord Talbot was o’erthrown.
line 0111The circumstance I’ll tell you more at large.
line 0112The tenth of August last, this dreadful lord,
line 0113Retiring from the siege of Orleance,
line 0114Having full scarce six thousand in his troop,
115line 0115By three and twenty thousand of the French
line 0116Was round encompassèd and set upon.
line 0117No leisure had he to enrank his men.
line 0118He wanted pikes to set before his archers,
line 0119Instead whereof, sharp stakes plucked out of hedges
120line 0120They pitchèd in the ground confusedly
line 0121To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.
line 0122More than three hours the fight continuèd,
line 0123Where valiant Talbot, above human thought,
line 0124Enacted wonders with his sword and lance.
125line 0125Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him;
line 0126Here, there, and everywhere, enraged, he slew.
line 0127The French exclaimed the devil was in arms;
line 0128All the whole army stood agazed on him.
line 0129His soldiers, spying his undaunted spirit,
130line 0130“À Talbot! À Talbot!” cried out amain
line 0131And rushed into the bowels of the battle.
line 0132Here had the conquest fully been sealed up
line 0133If Sir John Fastolf had not played the coward.
line 0134He, being in the vaward, placed behind
135line 0135With purpose to relieve and follow them,
line 0136Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
line 0137Hence grew the general wrack and massacre.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 17
line 0138Enclosèd were they with their enemies.
line 0139A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin’s grace,
140line 0140Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back,
line 0141Whom all France, with their chief assembled
line 0142strength,
line 0143Durst not presume to look once in the face.
BEDFORD
line 0144Is Talbot slain then? I will slay myself
145line 0145For living idly here, in pomp and ease,
line 0146Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid,
line 0147Unto his dastard foemen is betrayed.
THIRD MESSENGER
line 0148O, no, he lives, but is took prisoner,
line 0149And Lord Scales with him, and Lord Hungerford;
150line 0150Most of the rest slaughtered or took likewise.
BEDFORD
line 0151His ransom there is none but I shall pay.
line 0152I’ll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne;
line 0153His crown shall be the ransom of my friend.
line 0154Four of their lords I’ll change for one of ours.
155line 0155Farewell, my masters; to my task will I.
line 0156Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make,
line 0157To keep our great Saint George’s feast withal.
line 0158Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take,
line 0159Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake.
THIRD MESSENGER
160line 0160So you had need; ’fore Orleance besieged,
line 0161The English army is grown weak and faint;
line 0162The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply
line 0163And hardly keeps his men from mutiny,
line 0164Since they so few watch such a multitude.
He exits.
EXETER
165line 0165Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn:
line 0166Either to quell the Dauphin utterly
line 0167Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 19
BEDFORD
line 0168I do remember it, and here take my leave
line 0169To go about my preparation.Bedford exits.
GLOUCESTER
170line 0170I’ll to the Tower with all the haste I can
line 0171To view th’ artillery and munition,
line 0172And then I will proclaim young Henry king.
Gloucester exits.
EXETER
line 0173To Eltham will I, where the young king is,
line 0174Being ordained his special governor;
175line 0175And for his safety there I’ll best devise.He exits.
WINCHESTERaside
line 0176Each hath his place and function to attend.
line 0177I am left out; for me nothing remains.
line 0178But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office.
line 0179The King from Eltham I intend to steal,
180line 0180And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.
He exits at one door; at another door, Warwick, Somerset, Attendants and Heralds exit with the coffin.
Scene 2
Sound a flourish. Enter Charles the Dauphin, Alanson, and Reignier, marching with Drum and Soldiers.
CHARLES
line 0181Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens
line 0182So in the Earth, to this day is not known.
line 0183Late did he shine upon the English side;
line 0184Now we are victors; upon us he smiles.
5line 0185What towns of any moment but we have?
line 0186At pleasure here we lie, near Orleance.
line 0187Otherwhiles, the famished English, like pale ghosts,
line 0188Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 21
ALANSON
line 0189They want their porridge and their fat bull beeves.
10line 0190Either they must be dieted like mules
line 0191And have their provender tied to their mouths,
line 0192Or piteous they will look, like drownèd mice.
REIGNIER
line 0193Let’s raise the siege. Why live we idly here?
line 0194Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear.
15line 0195Remaineth none but mad-brained Salisbury,
line 0196And he may well in fretting spend his gall;
line 0197Nor men nor money hath he to make war.
CHARLES
line 0198Sound, sound alarum! We will rush on them.
line 0199Now for the honor of the forlorn French!
20line 0200Him I forgive my death that killeth me
line 0201When he sees me go back one foot, or fly.
They exit. Here alarum. They are beaten back by the English, with great loss.
Enter Charles, Alanson, and Reignier.
CHARLES
line 0202Whoever saw the like? What men have I!
line 0203Dogs, cowards, dastards! I would ne’er have fled
line 0204But that they left me ’midst my enemies.
REIGNIER
25line 0205Salisbury is a desperate homicide.
line 0206He fighteth as one weary of his life.
line 0207The other lords, like lions wanting food,
line 0208Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.
ALANSON
line 0209Froissart, a countryman of ours, records
30line 0210England all Olivers and Rolands bred
line 0211During the time Edward the Third did reign.
line 0212More truly now may this be verified,
line 0213For none but Samsons and Goliases
line 0214It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten!
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 23
35line 0215Lean rawboned rascals! Who would e’er suppose
line 0216They had such courage and audacity?
CHARLES
line 0217Let’s leave this town, for they are hare-brained slaves,
line 0218And hunger will enforce them to be more eager.
line 0219Of old I know them; rather with their teeth
40line 0220The walls they’ll tear down than forsake the siege.
REIGNIER
line 0221I think by some odd gimmers or device
line 0222Their arms are set, like clocks, still to strike on;
line 0223Else ne’er could they hold out so as they do.
line 0224By my consent, we’ll even let them alone.
45line 0225ALANSONBe it so.
Enter the Bastard of Orleance.
BASTARD
line 0226Where’s the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.
CHARLES
line 0227Bastard of Orleance, thrice welcome to us.
BASTARD
line 0228Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appalled.
line 0229Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?
50line 0230Be not dismayed, for succor is at hand.
line 0231A holy maid hither with me I bring,
line 0232Which, by a vision sent to her from heaven,
line 0233Ordainèd is to raise this tedious siege
line 0234And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
55line 0235The spirit of deep prophecy she hath,
line 0236Exceeding the nine Sibyls of old Rome.
line 0237What’s past and what’s to come she can descry.
line 0238Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words,
line 0239For they are certain and unfallible.
CHARLES
60line 0240Go call her in.Bastard exits.
line 0241But first, to try her skill,
line 0242Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place;
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 25
line 0243Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern.
line 0244By this means shall we sound what skill she hath.
Enter Bastard, with Joan la Pucelle.
REIGNIERas Charles
65line 0245Fair maid, is ’t thou wilt do these wondrous feats?
PUCELLE
line 0246Reignier, is ’t thou that thinkest to beguile me?
line 0247Where is the Dauphin?—Come, come from behind.
line 0248I know thee well, though never seen before.
line 0249Be not amazed; there’s nothing hid from me.
70line 0250In private will I talk with thee apart.—
line 0251Stand back, you lords, and give us leave a while.
REIGNIER
line 0252She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Alanson, Reignier, and Bastard exit.
PUCELLE
line 0253Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,
line 0254My wit untrained in any kind of art.
75line 0255Heaven and Our Lady gracious hath it pleased
line 0256To shine on my contemptible estate.
line 0257Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs,
line 0258And to sun’s parching heat displayed my cheeks,
line 0259God’s Mother deignèd to appear to me,
80line 0260And in a vision full of majesty
line 0261Willed me to leave my base vocation
line 0262And free my country from calamity.
line 0263Her aid she promised and assured success.
line 0264In complete glory she revealed herself;
85line 0265And whereas I was black and swart before,
line 0266With those clear rays which she infused on me
line 0267That beauty am I blest with, which you may see.
line 0268Ask me what question thou canst possible,
line 0269And I will answer unpremeditated.
90line 0270My courage try by combat, if thou dar’st,
line 0271And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 27
line 0272Resolve on this: thou shalt be fortunate
line 0273If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
CHARLES
line 0274Thou hast astonished me with thy high terms.
95line 0275Only this proof I’ll of thy valor make:
line 0276In single combat thou shalt buckle with me,
line 0277And if thou vanquishest, thy words are true;
line 0278Otherwise I renounce all confidence.
PUCELLE
line 0279I am prepared. Here is my keen-edged sword,
100line 0280Decked with fine flower-de-luces on each side—
line 0281Aside. The which at Touraine, in Saint Katherine’s
line 0282churchyard,
line 0283Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth.
CHARLES
line 0284Then come, a’ God’s name! I fear no woman.
PUCELLE
105line 0285And while I live, I’ll ne’er fly from a man.
Here they fight, and Joan la Pucelle overcomes.
CHARLES
line 0286Stay, stay thy hands! Thou art an Amazon,
line 0287And fightest with the sword of Deborah.
PUCELLE
line 0288Christ’s mother helps me; else I were too weak.
CHARLES
line 0289Whoe’er helps thee, ’tis thou that must help me.
110line 0290Impatiently I burn with thy desire.
line 0291My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.
line 0292Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so,
line 0293Let me thy servant and not sovereign be.
line 0294’Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus.
PUCELLE
115line 0295I must not yield to any rights of love,
line 0296For my profession’s sacred from above.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 29
line 0297When I have chasèd all thy foes from hence,
line 0298Then will I think upon a recompense.
CHARLES
line 0299Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall.
Enter Reignier and Alanson.
REIGNIERaside to Alanson
120line 0300My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.
ALANSONaside to Reignier
line 0301Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock,
line 0302Else ne’er could he so long protract his speech.
REIGNIERaside to Alanson
line 0303Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean?
ALANSONaside to Reignier
line 0304He may mean more than we poor men do know.
125line 0305These women are shrewd tempters with their
line 0306tongues.
REIGNIERto Charles
line 0307My lord, where are you? What devise you on?
line 0308Shall we give o’er Orleance, or no?
PUCELLE
line 0309Why, no, I say. Distrustful recreants,
130line 0310Fight till the last gasp. I’ll be your guard.
CHARLES
line 0311What she says I’ll confirm: we’ll fight it out.
PUCELLE
line 0312Assigned am I to be the English scourge.
line 0313This night the siege assuredly I’ll raise.
line 0314Expect Saint Martin’s summer, halcyons’ days,
135line 0315Since I have enterèd into these wars.
line 0316Glory is like a circle in the water,
line 0317Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself
line 0318Till by broad spreading it disperse to naught.
line 0319With Henry’s death, the English circle ends;
140line 0320Dispersèd are the glories it included.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 31
line 0321Now am I like that proud insulting ship
line 0322Which Caesar and his fortune bare at once.
CHARLES
line 0323Was Mahomet inspirèd with a dove?
line 0324Thou with an eagle art inspirèd then.
145line 0325Helen, the mother of great Constantine,
line 0326Nor yet Saint Philip’s daughters were like thee.
line 0327Bright star of Venus, fall’n down on the Earth,
line 0328How may I reverently worship thee enough?
ALANSON
line 0329Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.
REIGNIER
150line 0330Woman, do what thou canst to save our honors.
line 0331Drive them from Orleance and be immortalized.
CHARLES
line 0332Presently we’ll try. Come, let’s away about it.
line 0333No prophet will I trust if she prove false.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Gloucester with his Servingmen in blue coats.
GLOUCESTER
line 0334I am come to survey the Tower this day.
line 0335Since Henry’s death I fear there is conveyance.
line 0336Where be these warders that they wait not here?—
line 0337Open the gates! ’Tis Gloucester that calls.
Servingmen knock at the gate.
FIRST WARDERwithin
5line 0338Who’s there that knocks so imperiously?
FIRST SERVINGMAN
line 0339It is the noble Duke of Gloucester.
SECOND WARDERwithin
line 0340Whoe’er he be, you may not be let in.
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 33
FIRST SERVINGMAN
line 0341Villains, answer you so the Lord Protector?
FIRST WARDERwithin
line 0342The Lord protect him, so we answer him.
10line 0343We do no otherwise than we are willed.
GLOUCESTER
line 0344Who willed you? Or whose will stands but mine?
line 0345There’s none Protector of the realm but I.—
line 0346Break up the gates! I’ll be your warrantize.
line 0347Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
Gloucester’s men rush at the Tower gates, and Woodville, the lieutenant, speaks within.
WOODVILLE
15line 0348What noise is this? What traitors have we here?
GLOUCESTER
line 0349Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
line 0350Open the gates. Here’s Gloucester that would enter.
WOODVILLE
line 0351Have patience, noble duke, I may not open.
line 0352The Cardinal of Winchester forbids.
20line 0353From him I have express commandment
line 0354That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.
GLOUCESTER
line 0355Fainthearted Woodville, prizest him ’fore me?
line 0356Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate
line 0357Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne’er could brook?
25line 0358Thou art no friend to God or to the King.
line 0359Open the gates, or I’ll shut thee out shortly.
SERVINGMEN
line 0360Open the gates unto the Lord Protector,
line 0361Or we’ll burst them open if that you come not quickly.
Enter, to the Protector at the Tower gates, Winchester in cardinal’s robes and his men in tawny coats.
WINCHESTER
line 0362How now, ambitious Humphrey, what means this?
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 35
GLOUCESTER
30line 0363Peeled priest, dost thou command me to be shut out?
WINCHESTER
line 0364I do, thou most usurping proditor—
line 0365And not Protector—of the King or realm.
GLOUCESTER
line 0366Stand back, thou manifest conspirator,
line 0367Thou that contrived’st to murder our dead lord,
35line 0368Thou that giv’st whores indulgences to sin!
line 0369I’ll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal’s hat
line 0370If thou proceed in this thy insolence.
WINCHESTER
line 0371Nay, stand thou back. I will not budge a foot.
line 0372This be Damascus; be thou cursèd Cain
40line 0373To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt.
GLOUCESTER
line 0374I will not slay thee, but I’ll drive thee back.
line 0375Thy scarlet robes, as a child’s bearing-cloth,
line 0376I’ll use to carry thee out of this place.
WINCHESTER
line 0377Do what thou dar’st, I beard thee to thy face.
GLOUCESTER
45line 0378What, am I dared and bearded to my face?—
line 0379Draw, men, for all this privilegèd place.
line 0380Blue coats to tawny coats!All draw their swords.
line 0381Priest, beware your beard.
line 0382I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly.
50line 0383Under my feet I’ll stamp thy cardinal’s hat;
line 0384In spite of pope or dignities of Church,
line 0385Here by the cheeks I’ll drag thee up and down.
WINCHESTER
line 0386Gloucester, thou wilt answer this before the Pope.
GLOUCESTER
line 0387Winchester goose, I cry “a rope, a rope!”—
55line 0388Now beat them hence; why do you let them stay?—
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 37
line 0389Thee I’ll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep’s array.—
line 0390Out, tawny coats, out, scarlet hypocrite!
Here Gloucester’s men beat out the Cardinal’s men, and enter in the hurly-burly the Mayor of London and his Officers.
MAYOR
line 0391Fie, lords, that you, being supreme magistrates,
line 0392Thus contumeliously should break the peace!
GLOUCESTER
60line 0393Peace, Mayor? Thou know’st little of my wrongs.
line 0394Here’s Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king,
line 0395Hath here distrained the Tower to his use.
WINCHESTER
line 0396Here’s Gloucester, a foe to citizens,
line 0397One that still motions war and never peace,
65line 0398O’ercharging your free purses with large fines;
line 0399That seeks to overthrow religion
line 0400Because he is Protector of the realm,
line 0401And would have armor here out of the Tower
line 0402To crown himself king and suppress the Prince.
GLOUCESTER
70line 0403I will not answer thee with words, but blows.
Here they skirmish again.
MAYOR
line 0404Naught rests for me in this tumultuous strife
line 0405But to make open proclamation.
line 0406Come, officer, as loud as e’er thou canst, cry.
He hands an Officer a paper.
line 0407OFFICERreads All manner of men, assembled here in
75line 0408arms this day against God’s peace and the King’s, we
line 0409charge and command you, in his Highness’ name, to
line 0410repair to your several dwelling places, and not to
line 0411wear, handle, or use any sword, weapon, or dagger
line 0412henceforward, upon pain of death.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 39
GLOUCESTER
80line 0413Cardinal, I’ll be no breaker of the law,
line 0414But we shall meet and break our minds at large.
WINCHESTER
line 0415Gloucester, we’ll meet to thy cost, be sure.
line 0416Thy heartblood I will have for this day’s work.
MAYOR
line 0417I’ll call for clubs if you will not away.
85line 0418Aside. This cardinal’s more haughty than the devil!
GLOUCESTER
line 0419Mayor, farewell. Thou dost but what thou mayst.
WINCHESTER
line 0420Abominable Gloucester, guard thy head,
line 0421For I intend to have it ere long.
Gloucester and Winchester exit at separate doors, with their Servingmen.
MAYORto Officers
line 0422See the coast cleared, and then we will depart.
90line 0423Aside. Good God, these nobles should such
line 0424stomachs bear!
line 0425I myself fight not once in forty year.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter the Master Gunner of Orleance and his Boy.
MASTER GUNNER
line 0426Sirrah, thou know’st how Orleance is besieged
line 0427And how the English have the suburbs won.
BOY
line 0428Father, I know, and oft have shot at them;
line 0429Howe’er, unfortunate, I missed my aim.
MASTER GUNNER
5line 0430But now thou shalt not. Be thou ruled by me.
line 0431Chief master-gunner am I of this town;
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 41
line 0432Something I must do to procure me grace.
line 0433The Prince’s espials have informèd me
line 0434How the English, in the suburbs close entrenched,
10line 0435Went through a secret grate of iron bars
line 0436In yonder tower, to overpeer the city,
line 0437And thence discover how with most advantage
line 0438They may vex us with shot or with assault.
line 0439To intercept this inconvenience,
15line 0440A piece of ordnance ’gainst it I have placed,
line 0441And even these three days have I watched
line 0442If I could see them. Now do thou watch,
line 0443For I can stay no longer.
line 0444If thou spy’st any, run and bring me word;
20line 0445And thou shalt find me at the Governor’s.He exits.
BOY
line 0446Father, I warrant you, take you no care;
line 0447I’ll never trouble you if I may spy them.He exits.
Enter Salisbury and Talbot on the turrets, with Sir William Glansdale, Sir Thomas Gargrave, Attendants and Others.
SALISBURY
line 0448Talbot, my life, my joy, again returned!
line 0449How wert thou handled, being prisoner?
25line 0450Or by what means gott’st thou to be released?
line 0451Discourse, I prithee, on this turret’s top.
TALBOT
line 0452The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner
line 0453Called the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles;
line 0454For him was I exchanged and ransomèd.
30line 0455But with a baser man-of-arms by far
line 0456Once in contempt they would have bartered me,
line 0457Which I disdaining, scorned, and cravèd death
line 0458Rather than I would be so vile-esteemed.
line 0459In fine, redeemed I was as I desired.
35line 0460But O, the treacherous Fastolf wounds my heart,
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 43
line 0461Whom with my bare fists I would execute
line 0462If I now had him brought into my power.
SALISBURY
line 0463Yet tell’st thou not how thou wert entertained.
TALBOT
line 0464With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts.
40line 0465In open marketplace produced they me
line 0466To be a public spectacle to all.
line 0467“Here,” said they, “is the terror of the French,
line 0468The scarecrow that affrights our children so.”
line 0469Then broke I from the officers that led me,
45line 0470And with my nails digged stones out of the ground
line 0471To hurl at the beholders of my shame.
line 0472My grisly countenance made others fly;
line 0473None durst come near for fear of sudden death.
line 0474In iron walls they deemed me not secure:
50line 0475So great fear of my name ’mongst them were spread
line 0476That they supposed I could rend bars of steel
line 0477And spurn in pieces posts of adamant.
line 0478Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had
line 0479That walked about me every minute-while;
55line 0480And if I did but stir out of my bed,
line 0481Ready they were to shoot me to the heart.
Enter the Boy with a linstock. He crosses the main stage and exits.
SALISBURY
line 0482I grieve to hear what torments you endured,
line 0483But we will be revenged sufficiently.
line 0484Now it is supper time in Orleance.
60line 0485Here, through this grate, I count each one
line 0486And view the Frenchmen how they fortify.
line 0487Let us look in; the sight will much delight thee.
line 0488Sir Thomas Gargrave and Sir William Glansdale,
line 0489Let me have your express opinions
65line 0490Where is best place to make our batt’ry next?
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 45
GARGRAVE
line 0491I think at the north gate, for there stands lords.
GLANSDALE
line 0492And I, here, at the bulwark of the bridge.
TALBOT
line 0493For aught I see, this city must be famished
line 0494Or with light skirmishes enfeeblèd.
Here they shoot, and Salisbury and Gargrave fall down.
SALISBURY
70line 0495O Lord, have mercy on us, wretched sinners!
GARGRAVE
line 0496O Lord, have mercy on me, woeful man!
TALBOT
line 0497What chance is this that suddenly hath crossed us?—
line 0498Speak, Salisbury—at least if thou canst, speak!
line 0499How far’st thou, mirror of all martial men?
75line 0500One of thy eyes and thy cheek’s side struck off!—
line 0501Accursèd tower, accursèd fatal hand
line 0502That hath contrived this woeful tragedy!
line 0503In thirteen battles Salisbury o’ercame;
line 0504Henry the Fifth he first trained to the wars.
80line 0505Whilst any trump did sound or drum struck up,
line 0506His sword did ne’er leave striking in the field.—
line 0507Yet liv’st thou, Salisbury? Though thy speech doth fail,
line 0508One eye thou hast to look to heaven for grace.
line 0509The sun with one eye vieweth all the world.
85line 0510Heaven, be thou gracious to none alive
line 0511If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands!—
line 0512Sir Thomas Gargrave, hast thou any life?
line 0513Speak unto Talbot. Nay, look up to him.—
line 0514Bear hence his body; I will help to bury it.
Attendants exit with body of Gargrave.
90line 0515Salisbury, cheer thy spirit with this comfort,
line 0516Thou shalt not die whiles—
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 47
line 0517He beckons with his hand and smiles on me
line 0518As who should say “When I am dead and gone,
line 0519Remember to avenge me on the French.”
95line 0520Plantagenet, I will; and, like thee, Nero,
line 0521Play on the lute, beholding the towns burn.
line 0522Wretched shall France be only in my name.
Here an alarum, and it thunders and lightens.
line 0523What stir is this? What tumult’s in the heavens?
line 0524Whence cometh this alarum and the noise?
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
100line 0525My lord, my lord, the French have gathered head.
line 0526The Dauphin, with one Joan la Pucelle joined,
line 0527A holy prophetess new risen up,
line 0528Is come with a great power to raise the siege.
Here Salisbury lifteth himself up and groans.
TALBOT
line 0529Hear, hear, how dying Salisbury doth groan;
105line 0530It irks his heart he cannot be revenged.
line 0531Frenchmen, I’ll be a Salisbury to you.
line 0532Pucelle or puzel, dauphin or dogfish,
line 0533Your hearts I’ll stamp out with my horse’s heels
line 0534And make a quagmire of your mingled brains.
110line 0535Convey we Salisbury into his tent,
line 0536And then try what these dastard Frenchmen dare.
Alarum. They exit.
Scene 5
Here an alarum again, and Talbot pursueth the Dauphin and driveth him; then enter Joan la Pucelle, driving Englishmen before her. They cross the stage and exit. Then enter Talbot.
Act 1 Scene 5 - Pg 49
TALBOT
line 0537Where is my strength, my valor, and my force?
line 0538Our English troops retire; I cannot stay them.
line 0539A woman clad in armor chaseth them.
Enter Pucelle, with Soldiers.
line 0540Here, here she comes!—I’ll have a bout with thee.
5line 0541Devil or devil’s dam, I’ll conjure thee.
line 0542Blood will I draw on thee—thou art a witch—
line 0543And straightway give thy soul to him thou serv’st.
PUCELLE
line 0544Come, come; ’tis only I that must disgrace thee.
Here they fight.
TALBOT
line 0545Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail?
10line 0546My breast I’ll burst with straining of my courage,
line 0547And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder,
line 0548But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet.
They fight again.
PUCELLE
line 0549Talbot, farewell. Thy hour is not yet come.
line 0550I must go victual Orleance forthwith.
A short alarum. Then she prepares to enter the town with Soldiers.
15line 0551O’ertake me if thou canst. I scorn thy strength.
line 0552Go, go, cheer up thy hunger-starvèd men.
line 0553Help Salisbury to make his testament.
line 0554This day is ours, as many more shall be.
She exits with Soldiers.
TALBOT
line 0555My thoughts are whirlèd like a potter’s wheel.
20line 0556I know not where I am nor what I do.
line 0557A witch by fear—not force, like Hannibal—
line 0558Drives back our troops, and conquers as she lists.
line 0559So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 51
line 0560Are from their hives and houses driven away.
25line 0561They called us, for our fierceness, English dogs;
line 0562Now like to whelps we crying run away.
A short alarum. Enter English soldiers, chased by French soldiers.
line 0563Hark, countrymen, either renew the fight,
line 0564Or tear the lions out of England’s coat.
line 0565Renounce your soil; give sheep in lions’ stead.
30line 0566Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf,
line 0567Or horse or oxen from the leopard,
line 0568As you fly from your oft-subduèd slaves.
Alarum. Here another skirmish.
line 0569It will not be! Retire into your trenches.
line 0570You all consented unto Salisbury’s death,
35line 0571For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.
line 0572Pucelle is entered into Orleance
line 0573In spite of us or aught that we could do.
Soldiers exit.
line 0574O, would I were to die with Salisbury!
line 0575The shame hereof will make me hide my head.
Talbot exits. Alarum. Retreat.
Scene 6
Flourish. Enter on the walls Pucelle, Charles the Dauphin, Reignier, Alanson, and Soldiers.
PUCELLE
line 0576Advance our waving colors on the walls.
line 0577Rescued is Orleance from the English.
line 0578Thus Joan la Pucelle hath performed her word.
She exits.
CHARLES
line 0579Divinest creature, Astraea’s daughter,
5line 0580How shall I honor thee for this success?
Act 1 Scene 6 - Pg 53
line 0581Thy promises are like Adonis’ garden
line 0582That one day bloomed and fruitful were the next.
line 0583France, triumph in thy glorious prophetess.
line 0584Recovered is the town of Orleance.
10line 0585More blessèd hap did ne’er befall our state.
REIGNIER
line 0586Why ring not bells aloud throughout the town?
line 0587Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires
line 0588And feast and banquet in the open streets
line 0589To celebrate the joy that God hath given us.
ALANSON
15line 0590All France will be replete with mirth and joy
line 0591When they shall hear how we have played the men.
CHARLES
line 0592’Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won;
line 0593For which I will divide my crown with her,
line 0594And all the priests and friars in my realm
20line 0595Shall in procession sing her endless praise.
line 0596A statelier pyramis to her I’ll rear
line 0597Than Rhodophe’s of Memphis ever was.
line 0598In memory of her, when she is dead,
line 0599Her ashes, in an urn more precious
25line 0600Than the rich-jeweled coffer of Darius,
line 0601Transported shall be at high festivals
line 0602Before the kings and queens of France.
line 0603No longer on Saint Dennis will we cry,
line 0604But Joan la Pucelle shall be France’s saint.
30line 0605Come in, and let us banquet royally
line 0606After this golden day of victory.
Flourish. They exit.
ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter on the walls a French Sergeant of a Band, with two Sentinels.
SERGEANT
line 0607Sirs, take your places and be vigilant.
line 0608If any noise or soldier you perceive
line 0609Near to the walls, by some apparent sign
line 0610Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.
SENTINEL
5line 0611Sergeant, you shall.Sergeant exits.
line 0612Thus are poor servitors,
line 0613When others sleep upon their quiet beds,
line 0614Constrained to watch in darkness, rain, and cold.
Enter Talbot, Bedford, and Burgundy, below, with scaling ladders.
TALBOT
line 0615Lord Regent, and redoubted Burgundy,
10line 0616By whose approach the regions of Artois,
line 0617Walloon, and Picardy are friends to us,
line 0618This happy night the Frenchmen are secure,
line 0619Having all day caroused and banqueted.
line 0620Embrace we then this opportunity,
15line 0621As fitting best to quittance their deceit
line 0622Contrived by art and baleful sorcery.
BEDFORD
line 0623Coward of France, how much he wrongs his fame,
line 0624Despairing of his own arm’s fortitude,
line 0625To join with witches and the help of hell!
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 59
BURGUNDY
20line 0626Traitors have never other company.
line 0627But what’s that Pucelle whom they term so pure?
TALBOT
line 0628A maid, they say.
line 0629BEDFORDA maid? And be so martial?
BURGUNDY
line 0630Pray God she prove not masculine ere long,
25line 0631If underneath the standard of the French
line 0632She carry armor as she hath begun.
TALBOT
line 0633Well, let them practice and converse with spirits.
line 0634God is our fortress, in whose conquering name
line 0635Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks.
BEDFORD
30line 0636Ascend, brave Talbot. We will follow thee.
TALBOT
line 0637Not all together. Better far, I guess,
line 0638That we do make our entrance several ways,
line 0639That if it chance the one of us do fail,
line 0640The other yet may rise against their force.
BEDFORD
35line 0641Agreed. I’ll to yond corner.
line 0642BURGUNDYAnd I to this.
TALBOT
line 0643And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.
line 0644Now, Salisbury, for thee and for the right
line 0645Of English Henry, shall this night appear
40line 0646How much in duty I am bound to both.
Scaling the walls, they cry “Saint George! À Talbot!”
SENTINEL
line 0647Arm, arm! The enemy doth make assault.
The English, pursuing the Sentinels, exit aloft.
The French leap o’er the walls in their shirts.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 61
Enter several ways, Bastard, Alanson, Reignier, half ready, and half unready.
ALANSON
line 0648How now, my lords? What, all unready so?
BASTARD
line 0649Unready? Ay, and glad we scaped so well.
REIGNIER
line 0650’Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
45line 0651Hearing alarums at our chamber doors.
ALANSON
line 0652Of all exploits since first I followed arms
line 0653Ne’er heard I of a warlike enterprise
line 0654More venturous or desperate than this.
BASTARD
line 0655I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.
REIGNIER
50line 0656If not of hell, the heavens sure favor him.
ALANSON
line 0657Here cometh Charles. I marvel how he sped.
Enter Charles and Joan la Pucelle.
BASTARD
line 0658Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard.
CHARLES
line 0659Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?
line 0660Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal,
55line 0661Make us partakers of a little gain
line 0662That now our loss might be ten times so much?
PUCELLE
line 0663Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
line 0664At all times will you have my power alike?
line 0665Sleeping or waking, must I still prevail,
60line 0666Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?—
line 0667Improvident soldiers, had your watch been good,
line 0668This sudden mischief never could have fall’n.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 63
CHARLES
line 0669Duke of Alanson, this was your default,
line 0670That, being captain of the watch tonight,
65line 0671Did look no better to that weighty charge.
ALANSON
line 0672Had all your quarters been as safely kept
line 0673As that whereof I had the government,
line 0674We had not been thus shamefully surprised.
BASTARD
line 0675Mine was secure.
70line 0676REIGNIERAnd so was mine, my lord.
CHARLES
line 0677And for myself, most part of all this night
line 0678Within her quarter and mine own precinct
line 0679I was employed in passing to and fro
line 0680About relieving of the sentinels.
75line 0681Then how or which way should they first break in?
PUCELLE
line 0682Question, my lords, no further of the case,
line 0683How or which way; ’tis sure they found some place
line 0684But weakly guarded, where the breach was made.
line 0685And now there rests no other shift but this:
80line 0686To gather our soldiers, scattered and dispersed,
line 0687And lay new platforms to endamage them.
Alarum. Enter an English Soldier, crying, “À Talbot, À Talbot!” The French fly, leaving their clothes behind.
SOLDIER
line 0688I’ll be so bold to take what they have left.
line 0689The cry of “Talbot” serves me for a sword,
line 0690For I have loaden me with many spoils,
85line 0691Using no other weapon but his name.
He exits.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 65
Scene 2
Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, a Captain and Others.
BEDFORD
line 0692The day begins to break and night is fled,
line 0693Whose pitchy mantle over-veiled the Earth.
line 0694Here sound retreat and cease our hot pursuit.
Retreat sounded.
TALBOT
line 0695Bring forth the body of old Salisbury,
5line 0696And here advance it in the marketplace,
line 0697The middle center of this cursèd town.
Soldiers enter bearing the body of Salisbury, Drums beating a dead march.
line 0698Now have I paid my vow unto his soul:
line 0699For every drop of blood was drawn from him
line 0700There hath at least five Frenchmen died tonight.
10line 0701And, that hereafter ages may behold
line 0702What ruin happened in revenge of him,
line 0703Within their chiefest temple I’ll erect
line 0704A tomb wherein his corpse shall be interred,
line 0705Upon the which, that everyone may read,
15line 0706Shall be engraved the sack of Orleance,
line 0707The treacherous manner of his mournful death,
line 0708And what a terror he had been to France.
Funeral exits.
line 0709But, lords, in all our bloody massacre,
line 0710I muse we met not with the Dauphin’s grace,
20line 0711His new-come champion, virtuous Joan of Arc,
line 0712Nor any of his false confederates.
BEDFORD
line 0713’Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began,
line 0714Roused on the sudden from their drowsy beds,
line 0715They did amongst the troops of armèd men
25line 0716Leap o’er the walls for refuge in the field.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 67
BURGUNDY
line 0717Myself, as far as I could well discern
line 0718For smoke and dusky vapors of the night,
line 0719Am sure I scared the Dauphin and his trull,
line 0720When arm-in-arm they both came swiftly running,
30line 0721Like to a pair of loving turtledoves
line 0722That could not live asunder day or night.
line 0723After that things are set in order here,
line 0724We’ll follow them with all the power we have.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
line 0725All hail, my lords. Which of this princely train
35line 0726Call you the warlike Talbot, for his acts
line 0727So much applauded through the realm of France?
TALBOT
line 0728Here is the Talbot. Who would speak with him?
MESSENGER
line 0729The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne,
line 0730With modesty admiring thy renown,
40line 0731By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe
line 0732To visit her poor castle where she lies,
line 0733That she may boast she hath beheld the man
line 0734Whose glory fills the world with loud report.
BURGUNDY
line 0735Is it even so? Nay, then, I see our wars
45line 0736Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport,
line 0737When ladies crave to be encountered with.
line 0738You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit.
TALBOT
line 0739Ne’er trust me, then; for when a world of men
line 0740Could not prevail with all their oratory,
50line 0741Yet hath a woman’s kindness overruled.—
line 0742And therefore tell her I return great thanks,
line 0743And in submission will attend on her.—
line 0744Will not your Honors bear me company?
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 69
BEDFORD
line 0745No, truly, ’tis more than manners will;
55line 0746And I have heard it said unbidden guests
line 0747Are often welcomest when they are gone.
TALBOT
line 0748Well then, alone, since there’s no remedy,
line 0749I mean to prove this lady’s courtesy.—
line 0750Come hither, captain.Whispers.
60line 0751You perceive my mind?
CAPTAIN
line 0752I do, my lord, and mean accordingly.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Countess of Auvergne, with Porter.
COUNTESS
line 0753Porter, remember what I gave in charge,
line 0754And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
line 0755PORTERMadam, I will.He exits.
COUNTESS
line 0756The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
5line 0757I shall as famous be by this exploit
line 0758As Scythian Tamyris by Cyrus’ death.
line 0759Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,
line 0760And his achievements of no less account.
line 0761Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
10line 0762To give their censure of these rare reports.
Enter Messenger and Talbot.
MESSENGER
line 0763Madam, according as your Ladyship desired,
line 0764By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
COUNTESS
line 0765And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 71
MESSENGER
line 0766Madam, it is.
15line 0767COUNTESSIs this the scourge of France?
line 0768Is this the Talbot, so much feared abroad
line 0769That with his name the mothers still their babes?
line 0770I see report is fabulous and false.
line 0771I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
20line 0772A second Hector, for his grim aspect
line 0773And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
line 0774Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
line 0775It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
line 0776Should strike such terror to his enemies.
TALBOT
25line 0777Madam, I have been bold to trouble you.
line 0778But since your Ladyship is not at leisure,
line 0779I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
He begins to exit.
COUNTESSto Messenger
line 0780What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.
MESSENGER
line 0781Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
30line 0782To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
TALBOT
line 0783Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
line 0784I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
Enter Porter with keys.
COUNTESSto Talbot
line 0785If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
TALBOT
line 0786Prisoner? To whom?
35line 0787COUNTESSTo me, bloodthirsty lord.
line 0788And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
line 0789Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
line 0790For in my gallery thy picture hangs.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 73
line 0791But now the substance shall endure the like,
40line 0792And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
line 0793That hast by tyranny these many years
line 0794Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
line 0795And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
line 0796TALBOTHa, ha, ha!
COUNTESS
45line 0797Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.
TALBOT
line 0798I laugh to see your Ladyship so fond
line 0799To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow
line 0800Whereon to practice your severity.
line 0801COUNTESSWhy, art not thou the man?
50line 0802TALBOTI am, indeed.
line 0803COUNTESSThen have I substance too.
TALBOT
line 0804No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
line 0805You are deceived; my substance is not here,
line 0806For what you see is but the smallest part
55line 0807And least proportion of humanity.
line 0808I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
line 0809It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
line 0810Your roof were not sufficient to contain ’t.
COUNTESS
line 0811This is a riddling merchant for the nonce:
60line 0812He will be here and yet he is not here.
line 0813How can these contrarieties agree?
TALBOT
line 0814That will I show you presently.
Winds his horn. Drums strike up; a peal of ordnance.
Enter Soldiers.
line 0815How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
line 0816That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 75
65line 0817These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
line 0818With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
line 0819Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns,
line 0820And in a moment makes them desolate.
COUNTESS
line 0821Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
70line 0822I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
line 0823And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
line 0824Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
line 0825For I am sorry that with reverence
line 0826I did not entertain thee as thou art.
TALBOT
75line 0827Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster
line 0828The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
line 0829The outward composition of his body.
line 0830What you have done hath not offended me,
line 0831Nor other satisfaction do I crave
80line 0832But only, with your patience, that we may
line 0833Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
line 0834For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.
COUNTESS
line 0835With all my heart, and think me honorèd
line 0836To feast so great a warrior in my house.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Richard Plantagenet, Warwick, Somerset, William de la Pole the Earl of Suffolk, Vernon, a Lawyer, and Others.
PLANTAGENET
line 0837Great lords and gentlemen, what means this silence?
line 0838Dare no man answer in a case of truth?
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 77
SUFFOLK
line 0839Within the Temple Hall we were too loud;
line 0840The garden here is more convenient.
PLANTAGENET
5line 0841Then say at once if I maintained the truth,
line 0842Or else was wrangling Somerset in th’ error?
SUFFOLK
line 0843Faith, I have been a truant in the law
line 0844And never yet could frame my will to it,
line 0845And therefore frame the law unto my will.
SOMERSET
10line 0846Judge you, my Lord of Warwick, then, between us.
WARWICK
line 0847Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch,
line 0848Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth,
line 0849Between two blades, which bears the better temper,
line 0850Between two horses, which doth bear him best,
15line 0851Between two girls, which hath the merriest eye,
line 0852I have perhaps some shallow spirit of judgment;
line 0853But in these nice sharp quillets of the law,
line 0854Good faith, I am no wiser than a daw.
PLANTAGENET
line 0855Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance!
20line 0856The truth appears so naked on my side
line 0857That any purblind eye may find it out.
SOMERSET
line 0858And on my side it is so well appareled,
line 0859So clear, so shining, and so evident,
line 0860That it will glimmer through a blind man’s eye.
PLANTAGENET
25line 0861Since you are tongue-tied and so loath to speak,
line 0862In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts:
line 0863Let him that is a trueborn gentleman
line 0864And stands upon the honor of his birth,
line 0865If he suppose that I have pleaded truth,
30line 0866From off this brier pluck a white rose with me.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 79
SOMERSET
line 0867Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer,
line 0868But dare maintain the party of the truth,
line 0869Pluck a red rose from off this thorn with me.
WARWICK
line 0870I love no colors; and, without all color
35line 0871Of base insinuating flattery,
line 0872I pluck this white rose with Plantagenet.
SUFFOLK
line 0873I pluck this red rose with young Somerset,
line 0874And say withal I think he held the right.
VERNON
line 0875Stay, lords and gentlemen, and pluck no more
40line 0876Till you conclude that he upon whose side
line 0877The fewest roses are croppèd from the tree
line 0878Shall yield the other in the right opinion.
SOMERSET
line 0879Good Master Vernon, it is well objected:
line 0880If I have fewest, I subscribe in silence.
45line 0881PLANTAGENETAnd I.
VERNON
line 0882Then for the truth and plainness of the case,
line 0883I pluck this pale and maiden blossom here,
line 0884Giving my verdict on the white rose side.
SOMERSET
line 0885Prick not your finger as you pluck it off,
50line 0886Lest, bleeding, you do paint the white rose red,
line 0887And fall on my side so against your will.
VERNON
line 0888If I, my lord, for my opinion bleed,
line 0889Opinion shall be surgeon to my hurt
line 0890And keep me on the side where still I am.
55line 0891SOMERSETWell, well, come on, who else?
LAWYER
line 0892Unless my study and my books be false,
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 81
line 0893The argument you held was wrong in law,
line 0894In sign whereof I pluck a white rose too.
PLANTAGENET
line 0895Now, Somerset, where is your argument?
SOMERSET
60line 0896Here in my scabbard, meditating that
line 0897Shall dye your white rose in a bloody red.
PLANTAGENET
line 0898Meantime your cheeks do counterfeit our roses,
line 0899For pale they look with fear, as witnessing
line 0900The truth on our side.
65line 0901SOMERSETNo, Plantagenet.
line 0902’Tis not for fear, but anger that thy cheeks
line 0903Blush for pure shame to counterfeit our roses,
line 0904And yet thy tongue will not confess thy error.
PLANTAGENET
line 0905Hath not thy rose a canker, Somerset?
SOMERSET
70line 0906Hath not thy rose a thorn, Plantagenet?
PLANTAGENET
line 0907Ay, sharp and piercing, to maintain his truth,
line 0908Whiles thy consuming canker eats his falsehood.
SOMERSET
line 0909Well, I’ll find friends to wear my bleeding roses
line 0910That shall maintain what I have said is true,
75line 0911Where false Plantagenet dare not be seen.
PLANTAGENET
line 0912Now, by this maiden blossom in my hand,
line 0913I scorn thee and thy fashion, peevish boy.
SUFFOLK
line 0914Turn not thy scorns this way, Plantagenet.
PLANTAGENET
line 0915Proud Pole, I will, and scorn both him and thee.
SUFFOLK
80line 0916I’ll turn my part thereof into thy throat.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 83
SOMERSET
line 0917Away, away, good William de la Pole!
line 0918We grace the yeoman by conversing with him.
WARWICK
line 0919Now, by God’s will, thou wrong’st him, Somerset.
line 0920His grandfather was Lionel, Duke of Clarence,
85line 0921Third son to the third Edward, King of England.
line 0922Spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root?
PLANTAGENET
line 0923He bears him on the place’s privilege,
line 0924Or durst not for his craven heart say thus.
SOMERSET
line 0925By Him that made me, I’ll maintain my words
90line 0926On any plot of ground in Christendom.
line 0927Was not thy father Richard, Earl of Cambridge,
line 0928For treason executed in our late king’s days?
line 0929And, by his treason, stand’st not thou attainted,
line 0930Corrupted, and exempt from ancient gentry?
95line 0931His trespass yet lives guilty in thy blood,
line 0932And, till thou be restored, thou art a yeoman.
PLANTAGENET
line 0933My father was attachèd, not attainted,
line 0934Condemned to die for treason, but no traitor;
line 0935And that I’ll prove on better men than Somerset,
100line 0936Were growing time once ripened to my will.
line 0937For your partaker Pole and you yourself,
line 0938I’ll note you in my book of memory
line 0939To scourge you for this apprehension.
line 0940Look to it well, and say you are well warned.
SOMERSET
105line 0941Ah, thou shalt find us ready for thee still,
line 0942And know us by these colors for thy foes,
line 0943For these my friends in spite of thee shall wear.
PLANTAGENET
line 0944And, by my soul, this pale and angry rose,
line 0945As cognizance of my blood-drinking hate,
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 85
110line 0946Will I forever, and my faction, wear
line 0947Until it wither with me to my grave
line 0948Or flourish to the height of my degree.
SUFFOLK
line 0949Go forward, and be choked with thy ambition!
line 0950And so farewell, until I meet thee next.He exits.
SOMERSET
115line 0951Have with thee, Pole.—Farewell, ambitious Richard.
He exits.
PLANTAGENET
line 0952How I am braved, and must perforce endure it!
WARWICK
line 0953This blot that they object against your house
line 0954Shall be whipped out in the next parliament,
line 0955Called for the truce of Winchester and Gloucester;
120line 0956And if thou be not then created York,
line 0957I will not live to be accounted Warwick.
line 0958Meantime, in signal of my love to thee,
line 0959Against proud Somerset and William Pole
line 0960Will I upon thy party wear this rose.
125line 0961And here I prophesy: this brawl today,
line 0962Grown to this faction in the Temple garden,
line 0963Shall send, between the red rose and the white,
line 0964A thousand souls to death and deadly night.
PLANTAGENET
line 0965Good Master Vernon, I am bound to you,
130line 0966That you on my behalf would pluck a flower.
VERNON
line 0967In your behalf still will I wear the same.
LAWYER
line 0968And so will I.
line 0969PLANTAGENETThanks, gentle sir.
line 0970Come, let us four to dinner. I dare say
135line 0971This quarrel will drink blood another day.
They exit.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 87
Scene 5
Enter Edmund Mortimer, brought in a chair, and Jailers.
MORTIMER
line 0972Kind keepers of my weak decaying age,
line 0973Let dying Mortimer here rest himself.
line 0974Even like a man new-halèd from the rack,
line 0975So fare my limbs with long imprisonment;
5line 0976And these gray locks, the pursuivants of death,
line 0977Nestor-like agèd in an age of care,
line 0978Argue the end of Edmund Mortimer;
line 0979These eyes, like lamps whose wasting oil is spent,
line 0980Wax dim, as drawing to their exigent;
10line 0981Weak shoulders, overborne with burdening grief,
line 0982And pithless arms, like to a withered vine
line 0983That droops his sapless branches to the ground;
line 0984Yet are these feet, whose strengthless stay is numb,
line 0985Unable to support this lump of clay,
15line 0986Swift-wingèd with desire to get a grave,
line 0987As witting I no other comfort have.
line 0988But tell me, keeper, will my nephew come?
KEEPER
line 0989Richard Plantagenet, my lord, will come.
line 0990We sent unto the Temple, unto his chamber,
20line 0991And answer was returned that he will come.
MORTIMER
line 0992Enough. My soul shall then be satisfied.
line 0993Poor gentleman, his wrong doth equal mine.
line 0994Since Henry Monmouth first began to reign,
line 0995Before whose glory I was great in arms,
25line 0996This loathsome sequestration have I had;
line 0997And even since then hath Richard been obscured,
line 0998Deprived of honor and inheritance.
line 0999But now the arbitrator of despairs,
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 89
line 1000Just Death, kind umpire of men’s miseries,
30line 1001With sweet enlargement doth dismiss me hence.
line 1002I would his troubles likewise were expired,
line 1003That so he might recover what was lost.
Enter Richard Plantagenet.
KEEPER
line 1004My lord, your loving nephew now is come.
MORTIMER
line 1005Richard Plantagenet, my friend, is he come?
PLANTAGENET
35line 1006Ay, noble uncle, thus ignobly used,
line 1007Your nephew, late despisèd Richard, comes.
MORTIMERto Jailer
line 1008Direct mine arms I may embrace his neck
line 1009And in his bosom spend my latter gasp.
line 1010O, tell me when my lips do touch his cheeks,
40line 1011That I may kindly give one fainting kiss.
He embraces Richard.
line 1012And now declare, sweet stem from York’s great stock,
line 1013Why didst thou say of late thou wert despised?
PLANTAGENET
line 1014First, lean thine agèd back against mine arm,
line 1015And in that ease I’ll tell thee my disease.
45line 1016This day, in argument upon a case,
line 1017Some words there grew ’twixt Somerset and me,
line 1018Among which terms he used his lavish tongue
line 1019And did upbraid me with my father’s death;
line 1020Which obloquy set bars before my tongue,
50line 1021Else with the like I had requited him.
line 1022Therefore, good uncle, for my father’s sake,
line 1023In honor of a true Plantagenet,
line 1024And for alliance’ sake, declare the cause
line 1025My father, Earl of Cambridge, lost his head.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 91
MORTIMER
55line 1026That cause, fair nephew, that imprisoned me
line 1027And hath detained me all my flow’ring youth
line 1028Within a loathsome dungeon, there to pine,
line 1029Was cursèd instrument of his decease.
PLANTAGENET
line 1030Discover more at large what cause that was,
60line 1031For I am ignorant and cannot guess.
MORTIMER
line 1032I will, if that my fading breath permit
line 1033And death approach not ere my tale be done.
line 1034Henry the Fourth, grandfather to this king,
line 1035Deposed his nephew Richard, Edward’s son,
65line 1036The first begotten and the lawful heir
line 1037Of Edward king, the third of that descent;
line 1038During whose reign the Percies of the north,
line 1039Finding his usurpation most unjust,
line 1040Endeavored my advancement to the throne.
70line 1041The reason moved these warlike lords to this
line 1042Was, for that—young Richard thus removed,
line 1043Leaving no heir begotten of his body—
line 1044I was the next by birth and parentage;
line 1045For by my mother I derivèd am
75line 1046From Lionel, Duke of Clarence, third son
line 1047To King Edward the Third; whereas he
line 1048From John of Gaunt doth bring his pedigree,
line 1049Being but fourth of that heroic line.
line 1050But mark: as in this haughty great attempt
80line 1051They laborèd to plant the rightful heir,
line 1052I lost my liberty and they their lives.
line 1053Long after this, when Henry the Fifth,
line 1054Succeeding his father Bolingbroke, did reign,
line 1055Thy father, Earl of Cambridge then, derived
85line 1056From famous Edmund Langley, Duke of York,
line 1057Marrying my sister that thy mother was,
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 93
line 1058Again, in pity of my hard distress,
line 1059Levied an army, weening to redeem
line 1060And have installed me in the diadem.
90line 1061But, as the rest, so fell that noble earl
line 1062And was beheaded. Thus the Mortimers,
line 1063In whom the title rested, were suppressed.
PLANTAGENET
line 1064Of which, my lord, your Honor is the last.
MORTIMER
line 1065True, and thou seest that I no issue have
95line 1066And that my fainting words do warrant death.
line 1067Thou art my heir; the rest I wish thee gather.
line 1068But yet be wary in thy studious care.
PLANTAGENET
line 1069Thy grave admonishments prevail with me.
line 1070But yet methinks my father’s execution
100line 1071Was nothing less than bloody tyranny.
MORTIMER
line 1072With silence, nephew, be thou politic;
line 1073Strong-fixèd is the house of Lancaster,
line 1074And, like a mountain, not to be removed.
line 1075But now thy uncle is removing hence,
105line 1076As princes do their courts when they are cloyed
line 1077With long continuance in a settled place.
PLANTAGENET
line 1078O uncle, would some part of my young years
line 1079Might but redeem the passage of your age.
MORTIMER
line 1080Thou dost then wrong me, as that slaughterer doth
110line 1081Which giveth many wounds when one will kill.
line 1082Mourn not, except thou sorrow for my good;
line 1083Only give order for my funeral.
line 1084And so farewell, and fair be all thy hopes,
line 1085And prosperous be thy life in peace and war.
Dies.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 95
PLANTAGENET
115line 1086And peace, no war, befall thy parting soul.
line 1087In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage,
line 1088And like a hermit overpassed thy days.—
line 1089Well, I will lock his counsel in my breast,
line 1090And what I do imagine, let that rest.—
120line 1091Keepers, convey him hence, and I myself
line 1092Will see his burial better than his life.
Jailers exit carrying Mortimer’s body.
line 1093Here dies the dusky torch of Mortimer,
line 1094Choked with ambition of the meaner sort.
line 1095And for those wrongs, those bitter injuries,
125line 1096Which Somerset hath offered to my house,
line 1097I doubt not but with honor to redress.
line 1098And therefore haste I to the Parliament,
line 1099Either to be restorèd to my blood,
line 1100Or make mine ill th’ advantage of my good.
He exits.
ACT 3
Scene 1
Flourish. Enter King Henry, Exeter, Gloucester, and Winchester; Richard Plantagenet and Warwick, with white roses; Somerset and Suffolk, with red roses; and Others. Gloucester offers to put up a bill. Winchester snatches it, tears it.
WINCHESTER
line 1101Com’st thou with deep premeditated lines,
line 1102With written pamphlets studiously devised?
line 1103Humphrey of Gloucester, if thou canst accuse
line 1104Or aught intend’st to lay unto my charge,
5line 1105Do it without invention, suddenly,
line 1106As I with sudden and extemporal speech
line 1107Purpose to answer what thou canst object.
GLOUCESTER
line 1108Presumptuous priest, this place commands my
line 1109patience,
10line 1110Or thou shouldst find thou hast dishonored me.
line 1111Think not, although in writing I preferred
line 1112The manner of thy vile outrageous crimes,
line 1113That therefore I have forged or am not able
line 1114Verbatim to rehearse the method of my pen.
15line 1115No, prelate, such is thy audacious wickedness,
line 1116Thy lewd, pestiferous, and dissentious pranks,
line 1117As very infants prattle of thy pride.
line 1118Thou art a most pernicious usurer,
line 1119Froward by nature, enemy to peace,
20line 1120Lascivious, wanton, more than well beseems
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 101
line 1121A man of thy profession and degree.
line 1122And for thy treachery, what’s more manifest,
line 1123In that thou laid’st a trap to take my life
line 1124As well at London Bridge as at the Tower?
25line 1125Besides, I fear me, if thy thoughts were sifted,
line 1126The King, thy sovereign, is not quite exempt
line 1127From envious malice of thy swelling heart.
WINCHESTER
line 1128Gloucester, I do defy thee.—Lords, vouchsafe
line 1129To give me hearing what I shall reply.
30line 1130If I were covetous, ambitious, or perverse,
line 1131As he will have me, how am I so poor?
line 1132Or how haps it I seek not to advance
line 1133Or raise myself, but keep my wonted calling?
line 1134And for dissension, who preferreth peace
35line 1135More than I do, except I be provoked?
line 1136No, my good lords, it is not that offends;
line 1137It is not that that hath incensed the Duke.
line 1138It is because no one should sway but he,
line 1139No one but he should be about the King;
40line 1140And that engenders thunder in his breast
line 1141And makes him roar these accusations forth.
line 1142But he shall know I am as good—
line 1143GLOUCESTERAs good!
line 1144Thou bastard of my grandfather!
WINCHESTER
45line 1145Ay, lordly sir; for what are you, I pray,
line 1146But one imperious in another’s throne?
GLOUCESTER
line 1147Am I not Protector, saucy priest?
WINCHESTER
line 1148And am not I a prelate of the Church?
GLOUCESTER
line 1149Yes, as an outlaw in a castle keeps,
50line 1150And useth it to patronage his theft.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 103
WINCHESTER
line 1151Unreverent Gloucester!
line 1152GLOUCESTERThou art reverend
line 1153Touching thy spiritual function, not thy life.
WINCHESTER
line 1154Rome shall remedy this.
55line 1155GLOUCESTERRoam thither then.
WARWICKto Winchester
line 1156My lord, it were your duty to forbear.
SOMERSET
line 1157Ay, so the Bishop be not overborne.
line 1158Methinks my lord should be religious,
line 1159And know the office that belongs to such.
WARWICK
60line 1160Methinks his Lordship should be humbler.
line 1161It fitteth not a prelate so to plead.
SOMERSET
line 1162Yes, when his holy state is touched so near.
WARWICK
line 1163State holy, or unhallowed, what of that?
line 1164Is not his Grace Protector to the King?
PLANTAGENETaside
65line 1165Plantagenet, I see, must hold his tongue,
line 1166Lest it be said “Speak, sirrah, when you should;
line 1167Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords?”
line 1168Else would I have a fling at Winchester.
KING HENRY
line 1169Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester,
70line 1170The special watchmen of our English weal,
line 1171I would prevail, if prayers might prevail,
line 1172To join your hearts in love and amity.
line 1173O, what a scandal is it to our crown
line 1174That two such noble peers as you should jar!
75line 1175Believe me, lords, my tender years can tell
line 1176Civil dissension is a viperous worm
line 1177That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 105
A noise within: “Down with the tawny coats!”
line 1178What tumult ’s this?
line 1179WARWICKAn uproar, I dare warrant,
80line 1180Begun through malice of the Bishop’s men.
A noise again: “Stones! Stones!”
Enter Mayor.
MAYOR
line 1181O, my good lords, and virtuous Henry,
line 1182Pity the city of London, pity us!
line 1183The Bishop and the Duke of Gloucester’s men,
line 1184Forbidden late to carry any weapon,
85line 1185Have filled their pockets full of pebble stones
line 1186And, banding themselves in contrary parts,
line 1187Do pelt so fast at one another’s pate
line 1188That many have their giddy brains knocked out;
line 1189Our windows are broke down in every street,
90line 1190And we, for fear, compelled to shut our shops.
Enter Servingmen in skirmish with bloody pates.
KING HENRY
line 1191We charge you, on allegiance to ourself,
line 1192To hold your slaught’ring hands and keep the peace.—
line 1193Pray, Uncle Gloucester, mitigate this strife.
line 1194FIRST SERVINGMANNay, if we be forbidden stones, we’ll
95line 1195fall to it with our teeth.
SECOND SERVINGMAN
line 1196Do what you dare, we are as
line 1197resolute.Skirmish again.
GLOUCESTER
line 1198You of my household, leave this peevish broil,
line 1199And set this unaccustomed fight aside.
THIRD SERVINGMAN
100line 1200My lord, we know your Grace to be a man
line 1201Just and upright, and, for your royal birth,
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 107
line 1202Inferior to none but to his Majesty;
line 1203And ere that we will suffer such a prince,
line 1204So kind a father of the commonweal,
105line 1205To be disgracèd by an inkhorn mate,
line 1206We and our wives and children all will fight
line 1207And have our bodies slaughtered by thy foes.
FIRST SERVINGMAN
line 1208Ay, and the very parings of our nails
line 1209Shall pitch a field when we are dead.
Begin again.
110line 1210GLOUCESTERStay, stay, I say!
line 1211And if you love me, as you say you do,
line 1212Let me persuade you to forbear awhile.
KING HENRY
line 1213O, how this discord doth afflict my soul!
line 1214Can you, my Lord of Winchester, behold
115line 1215My sighs and tears, and will not once relent?
line 1216Who should be pitiful if you be not?
line 1217Or who should study to prefer a peace
line 1218If holy churchmen take delight in broils?
WARWICK
line 1219Yield, my Lord Protector—yield, Winchester—
120line 1220Except you mean with obstinate repulse
line 1221To slay your sovereign and destroy the realm.
line 1222You see what mischief, and what murder too,
line 1223Hath been enacted through your enmity.
line 1224Then be at peace, except you thirst for blood.
WINCHESTER
125line 1225He shall submit, or I will never yield.
GLOUCESTER
line 1226Compassion on the King commands me stoop,
line 1227Or I would see his heart out ere the priest
line 1228Should ever get that privilege of me.
WARWICK
line 1229Behold, my Lord of Winchester, the Duke
130line 1230Hath banished moody discontented fury,
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 109
line 1231As by his smoothèd brows it doth appear.
line 1232Why look you still so stern and tragical?
GLOUCESTER
line 1233Here, Winchester, I offer thee my hand.
Winchester refuses Gloucester’s hand.
KING HENRY
line 1234Fie, Uncle Beaufort! I have heard you preach
135line 1235That malice was a great and grievous sin;
line 1236And will not you maintain the thing you teach,
line 1237But prove a chief offender in the same?
WARWICK
line 1238Sweet king! The Bishop hath a kindly gird.—
line 1239For shame, my Lord of Winchester, relent;
140line 1240What, shall a child instruct you what to do?
WINCHESTER
line 1241Well, Duke of Gloucester, I will yield to thee;
line 1242Love for thy love and hand for hand I give.
They take each other’s hand.
GLOUCESTERaside
line 1243Ay, but I fear me with a hollow heart.—
line 1244See here, my friends and loving countrymen,
145line 1245This token serveth for a flag of truce
line 1246Betwixt ourselves and all our followers,
line 1247So help me God, as I dissemble not.
WINCHESTERaside
line 1248So help me God, as I intend it not.
KING HENRY
line 1249O, loving uncle—kind Duke of Gloucester—
150line 1250How joyful am I made by this contract.
line 1251To the Servingmen. Away, my masters, trouble us
line 1252no more,
line 1253But join in friendship as your lords have done.
line 1254FIRST SERVINGMANContent. I’ll to the surgeon’s.
155line 1255SECOND SERVINGMANAnd so will I.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 111
line 1256THIRD SERVINGMANAnd I will see what physic the tavern
line 1257affords.
They exit with Mayor and Others.
WARWICKpresenting a scroll
line 1258Accept this scroll, most gracious sovereign,
line 1259Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet
160line 1260We do exhibit to your Majesty.
GLOUCESTER
line 1261Well urged, my Lord of Warwick.—For, sweet prince,
line 1262An if your Grace mark every circumstance,
line 1263You have great reason to do Richard right,
line 1264Especially for those occasions
165line 1265At Eltham Place I told your Majesty.
KING HENRY
line 1266And those occasions, uncle, were of force.—
line 1267Therefore, my loving lords, our pleasure is
line 1268That Richard be restorèd to his blood.
WARWICK
line 1269Let Richard be restorèd to his blood;
170line 1270So shall his father’s wrongs be recompensed.
WINCHESTER
line 1271As will the rest, so willeth Winchester.
KING HENRY
line 1272If Richard will be true, not that alone
line 1273But all the whole inheritance I give
line 1274That doth belong unto the house of York,
175line 1275From whence you spring by lineal descent.
PLANTAGENET
line 1276Thy humble servant vows obedience
line 1277And humble service till the point of death.
KING HENRY
line 1278Stoop then, and set your knee against my foot;
Plantagenet kneels.
line 1279And in reguerdon of that duty done
180line 1280I girt thee with the valiant sword of York.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 113
line 1281Rise, Richard, like a true Plantagenet,
line 1282And rise created princely Duke of York.
YORKformerly PLANTAGENET, standing
line 1283And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall!
line 1284And as my duty springs, so perish they
185line 1285That grudge one thought against your Majesty.
ALL
line 1286Welcome, high prince, the mighty Duke of York.
SOMERSETaside
line 1287Perish, base prince, ignoble Duke of York.
GLOUCESTER
line 1288Now will it best avail your Majesty
line 1289To cross the seas and to be crowned in France.
190line 1290The presence of a king engenders love
line 1291Amongst his subjects and his loyal friends,
line 1292As it disanimates his enemies.
KING HENRY
line 1293When Gloucester says the word, King Henry goes,
line 1294For friendly counsel cuts off many foes.
GLOUCESTER
195line 1295Your ships already are in readiness.
Sennet. Flourish. All but Exeter exit.
EXETER
line 1296Ay, we may march in England or in France,
line 1297Not seeing what is likely to ensue.
line 1298This late dissension grown betwixt the peers
line 1299Burns under feignèd ashes of forged love
200line 1300And will at last break out into a flame.
line 1301As festered members rot but by degree
line 1302Till bones and flesh and sinews fall away,
line 1303So will this base and envious discord breed.
line 1304And now I fear that fatal prophecy
205line 1305Which in the time of Henry named the Fifth
line 1306Was in the mouth of every sucking babe:
line 1307That Henry born at Monmouth should win all,
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 115
line 1308And Henry born at Windsor should lose all,
line 1309Which is so plain that Exeter doth wish
210line 1310His days may finish ere that hapless time.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Pucelle disguised, with four Soldiers with sacks upon their backs.
PUCELLE
line 1311These are the city gates, the gates of Roan,
line 1312Through which our policy must make a breach.
line 1313Take heed. Be wary how you place your words;
line 1314Talk like the vulgar sort of market men
5line 1315That come to gather money for their corn.
line 1316If we have entrance, as I hope we shall,
line 1317And that we find the slothful watch but weak,
line 1318I’ll by a sign give notice to our friends,
line 1319That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them.
SOLDIER
10line 1320Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city,
line 1321And we be lords and rulers over Roan;
line 1322Therefore we’ll knock.
Knock.
WATCHwithin
line 1323Qui là?
line 1324PUCELLEPaysans la pauvre gens de France:
15line 1325Poor market folks that come to sell their corn.
WATCH
line 1326Enter, go in. The market bell is rung.
PUCELLEaside
line 1327Now, Roan, I’ll shake thy bulwarks to the ground.
They exit.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 117
Enter Charles, Bastard, Alanson, Reignier, and Soldiers.
CHARLES
line 1328Saint Dennis bless this happy stratagem
line 1329And once again we’ll sleep secure in Roan.
BASTARD
20line 1330Here entered Pucelle and her practisants.
line 1331Now she is there, how will she specify
line 1332“Here is the best and safest passage in”?
REIGNIER
line 1333By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower,
line 1334Which, once discerned, shows that her meaning is:
25line 1335No way to that, for weakness, which she entered.
Enter Pucelle on the top, thrusting out a torch burning.
PUCELLE
line 1336Behold, this is the happy wedding torch
line 1337That joineth Roan unto her countrymen,
line 1338But burning fatal to the Talbonites.
BASTARD
line 1339See, noble Charles, the beacon of our friend;
30line 1340The burning torch, in yonder turret stands.
CHARLES
line 1341Now shine it like a comet of revenge,
line 1342A prophet to the fall of all our foes!
REIGNIER
line 1343Defer no time; delays have dangerous ends.
line 1344Enter and cry “The Dauphin!” presently,
35line 1345And then do execution on the watch.
Alarum. They exit.
An Alarum. Enter Talbot in an excursion.
TALBOT
line 1346France, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears,
line 1347If Talbot but survive thy treachery.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 119
line 1348Pucelle, that witch, that damnèd sorceress,
line 1349Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares,
40line 1350That hardly we escaped the pride of France.
He exits.
An alarum. Excursions. Bedford brought in sick in a chair, carried by two Attendants. Enter Talbot and Burgundy without; within, Pucelle with a sack of grain, Charles, Bastard, Alanson, and Reignier on the walls.
PUCELLEto those below
line 1351Good morrow, gallants. Want you corn for bread?
She scatters grain on those below.
line 1352I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast
line 1353Before he’ll buy again at such a rate.
line 1354’Twas full of darnel. Do you like the taste?
BURGUNDY
45line 1355Scoff on, vile fiend and shameless courtesan!
line 1356I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own,
line 1357And make thee curse the harvest of that corn.
CHARLES
line 1358Your Grace may starve, perhaps, before that time.
BEDFORD
line 1359O, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason.
PUCELLE
50line 1360What will you do, good graybeard? Break a lance
line 1361And run a-tilt at Death within a chair?
TALBOT
line 1362Foul fiend of France and hag of all despite,
line 1363Encompassed with thy lustful paramours,
line 1364Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age
55line 1365And twit with cowardice a man half dead?
line 1366Damsel, I’ll have a bout with you again,
line 1367Or else let Talbot perish with this shame.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 121
PUCELLE
line 1368Are you so hot, sir? Yet, Pucelle, hold thy peace,
line 1369If Talbot do but thunder, rain will follow.
Those below whisper together in council.
60line 1370God speed the Parliament! Who shall be the Speaker?
TALBOT
line 1371Dare you come forth and meet us in the field?
PUCELLE
line 1372Belike your Lordship takes us then for fools,
line 1373To try if that our own be ours or no.
TALBOT
line 1374I speak not to that railing Hecate,
65line 1375But unto thee, Alanson, and the rest.
line 1376Will you, like soldiers, come and fight it out?
line 1377ALANSONSeigneur, no.
TALBOT
line 1378Seigneur, hang! Base muleteers of France,
line 1379Like peasant footboys do they keep the walls
70line 1380And dare not take up arms like gentlemen.
PUCELLE
line 1381Away, captains. Let’s get us from the walls,
line 1382For Talbot means no goodness by his looks.—
line 1383Goodbye, my lord. We came but to tell you
line 1384That we are here.They exit from the walls.
TALBOT
75line 1385And there will we be too, ere it be long,
line 1386Or else reproach be Talbot’s greatest fame.—
line 1387Vow, Burgundy, by honor of thy house,
line 1388Pricked on by public wrongs sustained in France,
line 1389Either to get the town again or die.
80line 1390And I, as sure as English Henry lives,
line 1391And as his father here was conqueror,
line 1392As sure as in this late-betrayèd town
line 1393Great Coeur-de-lion’s heart was burièd,
line 1394So sure I swear to get the town or die.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 123
BURGUNDY
85line 1395My vows are equal partners with thy vows.
TALBOT
line 1396But, ere we go, regard this dying prince,
line 1397The valiant Duke of Bedford.—Come, my lord,
line 1398We will bestow you in some better place,
line 1399Fitter for sickness and for crazy age.
BEDFORD
90line 1400Lord Talbot, do not so dishonor me.
line 1401Here will I sit, before the walls of Roan,
line 1402And will be partner of your weal or woe.
BURGUNDY
line 1403Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you—
BEDFORD
line 1404Not to be gone from hence, for once I read
95line 1405That stout Pendragon, in his litter sick,
line 1406Came to the field and vanquishèd his foes.
line 1407Methinks I should revive the soldiers’ hearts
line 1408Because I ever found them as myself.
TALBOT
line 1409Undaunted spirit in a dying breast,
100line 1410Then be it so. Heavens keep old Bedford safe!—
line 1411And now no more ado, brave Burgundy,
line 1412But gather we our forces out of hand
line 1413And set upon our boasting enemy.
He exits with Burgundy. Bedford and Attendants remain.
An alarum. Excursions. Enter Sir John Fastolfand a Captain.
CAPTAIN
line 1414Whither away, Sir John Fastolf, in such haste?
FASTOLF
105line 1415Whither away? To save myself by flight.
line 1416We are like to have the overthrow again.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 125
CAPTAIN
line 1417What, will you fly and leave Lord Talbot?
line 1418FASTOLFAy,
line 1419All the Talbots in the world, to save my life.
He exits.
CAPTAIN
110line 1420Cowardly knight, ill fortune follow thee.
He exits.
Retreat. Excursions. Pucelle, Alanson, and Charlesenter, pursued by English Soldiers, and fly.
BEDFORD
line 1421Now, quiet soul, depart when heaven please,
line 1422For I have seen our enemies’ overthrow.
line 1423What is the trust or strength of foolish man?
line 1424They that of late were daring with their scoffs
115line 1425Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves.
Bedford dies, and is carried in by two in his chair.
An alarum. Enter Talbot, Burgundy, and the rest.
TALBOT
line 1426Lost and recovered in a day again!
line 1427This is a double honor, Burgundy.
line 1428Yet heavens have glory for this victory.
BURGUNDY
line 1429Warlike and martial Talbot, Burgundy
120line 1430Enshrines thee in his heart, and there erects
line 1431Thy noble deeds as valor’s monuments.
TALBOT
line 1432Thanks, gentle duke. But where is Pucelle now?
line 1433I think her old familiar is asleep.
line 1434Now where’s the Bastard’s braves and Charles his
125line 1435gleeks?
line 1436What, all amort? Roan hangs her head for grief
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 127
line 1437That such a valiant company are fled.
line 1438Now will we take some order in the town,
line 1439Placing therein some expert officers,
130line 1440And then depart to Paris to the King,
line 1441For there young Henry with his nobles lie.
BURGUNDY
line 1442What wills Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy.
TALBOT
line 1443But yet, before we go, let’s not forget
line 1444The noble Duke of Bedford late-deceased,
135line 1445But see his exequies fulfilled in Roan.
line 1446A braver soldier never couchèd lance,
line 1447A gentler heart did never sway in court.
line 1448But kings and mightiest potentates must die,
line 1449For that’s the end of human misery.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Charles, Bastard, Alanson, Pucelle, and Soldiers.
PUCELLE
line 1450Dismay not, princes, at this accident,
line 1451Nor grieve that Roan is so recoverèd.
line 1452Care is no cure, but rather corrosive
line 1453For things that are not to be remedied.
5line 1454Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while,
line 1455And like a peacock sweep along his tail;
line 1456We’ll pull his plumes and take away his train,
line 1457If dauphin and the rest will be but ruled.
CHARLES
line 1458We have been guided by thee hitherto,
10line 1459And of thy cunning had no diffidence.
line 1460One sudden foil shall never breed distrust.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 129
BASTARDto Pucelle
line 1461Search out thy wit for secret policies,
line 1462And we will make thee famous through the world.
ALANSONto Pucelle
line 1463We’ll set thy statue in some holy place
15line 1464And have thee reverenced like a blessèd saint.
line 1465Employ thee then, sweet virgin, for our good.
PUCELLE
line 1466Then thus it must be; this doth Joan devise:
line 1467By fair persuasions mixed with sugared words
line 1468We will entice the Duke of Burgundy
20line 1469To leave the Talbot and to follow us.
CHARLES
line 1470Ay, marry, sweeting, if we could do that,
line 1471France were no place for Henry’s warriors,
line 1472Nor should that nation boast it so with us,
line 1473But be extirpèd from our provinces.
ALANSON
25line 1474Forever should they be expulsed from France,
line 1475And not have title of an earldom here.
PUCELLE
line 1476Your honors shall perceive how I will work
line 1477To bring this matter to the wishèd end.
Drum sounds afar off.
line 1478Hark! By the sound of drum you may perceive
30line 1479Their powers are marching unto Paris-ward.
Here sound an English march.
line 1480There goes the Talbot with his colors spread,
line 1481And all the troops of English after him.
French march.
line 1482Now in the rearward comes the Duke and his.
line 1483Fortune in favor makes him lag behind.
35line 1484Summon a parley; we will talk with him.
Trumpets sound a parley.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 131
CHARLES
line 1485A parley with the Duke of Burgundy!
Enter Burgundy.
BURGUNDY
line 1486Who craves a parley with the Burgundy?
PUCELLE
line 1487The princely Charles of France, thy countryman.
BURGUNDY
line 1488What say’st thou, Charles?—for I am marching hence.
CHARLESaside to Pucelle
40line 1489Speak, Pucelle, and enchant him with thy words.
PUCELLE
line 1490Brave Burgundy, undoubted hope of France,
line 1491Stay; let thy humble handmaid speak to thee.
BURGUNDY
line 1492Speak on, but be not over-tedious.
PUCELLE
line 1493Look on thy country, look on fertile France,
45line 1494And see the cities and the towns defaced
line 1495By wasting ruin of the cruel foe.
line 1496As looks the mother on her lowly babe
line 1497When death doth close his tender-dying eyes,
line 1498See, see the pining malady of France:
50line 1499Behold the wounds, the most unnatural wounds,
line 1500Which thou thyself hast given her woeful breast.
line 1501O, turn thy edgèd sword another way;
line 1502Strike those that hurt, and hurt not those that help.
line 1503One drop of blood drawn from thy country’s bosom
55line 1504Should grieve thee more than streams of foreign gore.
line 1505Return thee therefore with a flood of tears,
line 1506And wash away thy country’s stainèd spots.
BURGUNDYaside
line 1507Either she hath bewitched me with her words,
line 1508Or nature makes me suddenly relent.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 133
PUCELLE
60line 1509Besides, all French and France exclaims on thee,
line 1510Doubting thy birth and lawful progeny.
line 1511Who join’st thou with but with a lordly nation
line 1512That will not trust thee but for profit’s sake?
line 1513When Talbot hath set footing once in France
65line 1514And fashioned thee that instrument of ill,
line 1515Who then but English Henry will be lord,
line 1516And thou be thrust out like a fugitive?
line 1517Call we to mind, and mark but this for proof:
line 1518Was not the Duke of Orleance thy foe?
70line 1519And was he not in England prisoner?
line 1520But when they heard he was thine enemy,
line 1521They set him free, without his ransom paid,
line 1522In spite of Burgundy and all his friends.
line 1523See then, thou fight’st against thy countrymen,
75line 1524And join’st with them will be thy slaughtermen.
line 1525Come, come, return; return, thou wandering lord.
line 1526Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms.
BURGUNDYaside
line 1527I am vanquishèd. These haughty words of hers
line 1528Have battered me like roaring cannon-shot,
80line 1529And made me almost yield upon my knees.—
line 1530Forgive me, country, and sweet countrymen;
line 1531And, lords, accept this hearty kind embrace.
He embraces Charles, Bastard, and Alanson.
line 1532My forces and my power of men are yours.
line 1533So, farewell, Talbot. I’ll no longer trust thee.
PUCELLEaside
85line 1534Done like a Frenchman: turn and turn again.
CHARLES
line 1535Welcome, brave duke. Thy friendship makes us fresh.
BASTARD
line 1536And doth beget new courage in our breasts.
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 135
ALANSON
line 1537Pucelle hath bravely played her part in this
line 1538And doth deserve a coronet of gold.
CHARLES
90line 1539Now let us on, my lords, and join our powers,
line 1540And seek how we may prejudice the foe.
They exit.
Scene 4
Flourish. Enter the King, Gloucester, Winchester, Exeter; York, Warwick, and Vernon, with white roses; Somerset, Suffolk, and Basset, with red roses. To them, with his Soldiers, Talbot.
TALBOT
line 1541My gracious prince and honorable peers,
line 1542Hearing of your arrival in this realm,
line 1543I have awhile given truce unto my wars
line 1544To do my duty to my sovereign;
5line 1545In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaimed
line 1546To your obedience fifty fortresses,
line 1547Twelve cities, and seven walled towns of strength,
line 1548Besides five hundred prisoners of esteem,
line 1549Lets fall his sword before your Highness’ feet,
10line 1550And with submissive loyalty of heart
line 1551Ascribes the glory of his conquest got
line 1552First to my God, and next unto your Grace.
He kneels.
KING HENRY
line 1553Is this the Lord Talbot, Uncle Gloucester,
line 1554That hath so long been resident in France?
GLOUCESTER
15line 1555Yes, if it please your Majesty, my liege.
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 137
KING HENRY
line 1556Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord.
line 1557When I was young—as yet I am not old—
line 1558I do remember how my father said
line 1559A stouter champion never handled sword.
20line 1560Long since we were resolvèd of your truth,
line 1561Your faithful service, and your toil in war;
line 1562Yet never have you tasted our reward
line 1563Or been reguerdoned with so much as thanks,
line 1564Because till now we never saw your face.
25line 1565Therefore stand up; and for these good deserts
line 1566We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury;
line 1567And in our coronation take your place.Talbot rises.
Sennet. Flourish. All except Vernon and Basset exit.
VERNON
line 1568Now, sir, to you that were so hot at sea,
line 1569Disgracing of these colors that I wear
30line 1570In honor of my noble Lord of York,
line 1571Dar’st thou maintain the former words thou spak’st?
BASSET
line 1572Yes, sir, as well as you dare patronage
line 1573The envious barking of your saucy tongue
line 1574Against my lord the Duke of Somerset.
VERNON
35line 1575Sirrah, thy lord I honor as he is.
BASSET
line 1576Why, what is he? As good a man as York.
VERNON
line 1577Hark you, not so; in witness, take you that.
Strikes him.
BASSET
line 1578Villain, thou knowest the law of arms is such
line 1579That whoso draws a sword ’tis present death,
40line 1580Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood.
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 139
line 1581But I’ll unto his Majesty, and crave
line 1582I may have liberty to venge this wrong,
line 1583When thou shalt see I’ll meet thee to thy cost.
He exits.
VERNON
line 1584Well, miscreant, I’ll be there as soon as you,
45line 1585And after meet you sooner than you would.
He exits.
ACT 4
Scene 1
Flourish. Enter King, Gloucester, Winchester, Talbot, Exeter; York and Warwick, with white roses; Suffolk and Somerset, with red roses; Governor of Paris, and Others.
GLOUCESTER
line 1586Lord Bishop, set the crown upon his head.
WINCHESTERcrowning King Henry
line 1587God save King Henry, of that name the Sixth!
GLOUCESTER
line 1588Now, Governor of Paris, take your oath.
Governor kneels.
line 1589That you elect no other king but him;
5line 1590Esteem none friends but such as are his friends,
line 1591And none your foes but such as shall pretend
line 1592Malicious practices against his state:
line 1593This shall you do, so help you righteous God.
Governor rises.
Enter Fastolf.
FASTOLF
line 1594My gracious sovereign, as I rode from Callice
10line 1595To haste unto your coronation,
line 1596A letter was delivered to my hands,
line 1597Writ to your Grace from th’ Duke of Burgundy.
He hands the King a paper.
TALBOT
line 1598Shame to the Duke of Burgundy and thee!
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 145
line 1599I vowed, base knight, when I did meet thee next,
15line 1600To tear the Garter from thy craven’s leg,
(tearing it off)
line 1601Which I have done, because unworthily
line 1602Thou wast installèd in that high degree.—
line 1603Pardon me, princely Henry and the rest.
line 1604This dastard, at the battle of Patay,
20line 1605When but in all I was six thousand strong
line 1606And that the French were almost ten to one,
line 1607Before we met or that a stroke was given,
line 1608Like to a trusty squire did run away;
line 1609In which assault we lost twelve hundred men.
25line 1610Myself and divers gentlemen besides
line 1611Were there surprised and taken prisoners.
line 1612Then judge, great lords, if I have done amiss,
line 1613Or whether that such cowards ought to wear
line 1614This ornament of knighthood—yea or no?
GLOUCESTER
30line 1615To say the truth, this fact was infamous
line 1616And ill beseeming any common man,
line 1617Much more a knight, a captain, and a leader.
TALBOT
line 1618When first this Order was ordained, my lords,
line 1619Knights of the Garter were of noble birth,
35line 1620Valiant and virtuous, full of haughty courage,
line 1621Such as were grown to credit by the wars;
line 1622Not fearing death nor shrinking for distress,
line 1623But always resolute in most extremes.
line 1624He then that is not furnished in this sort
40line 1625Doth but usurp the sacred name of knight,
line 1626Profaning this most honorable Order,
line 1627And should, if I were worthy to be judge,
line 1628Be quite degraded, like a hedge-born swain
line 1629That doth presume to boast of gentle blood.
KING HENRYto Fastolf
45line 1630Stain to thy countrymen, thou hear’st thy doom.
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 147
line 1631Be packing therefore, thou that wast a knight.
line 1632Henceforth we banish thee on pain of death.
Fastolf exits.
line 1633And now, my lord protector, view the letter
line 1634Sent from our uncle, Duke of Burgundy.
He hands the paper to Gloucester.
GLOUCESTER
50line 1635What means his Grace that he hath changed his style?
line 1636No more but, plain and bluntly, “To the King”!
line 1637Hath he forgot he is his sovereign?
line 1638Or doth this churlish superscription
line 1639Pretend some alteration in good will?
55line 1640What’s here? Reads.
line 1641I have upon especial cause,
line 1642Moved with compassion of my country’s wrack,
line 1643Together with the pitiful complaints
line 1644Of such as your oppression feeds upon,
60line 1645Forsaken your pernicious faction
line 1646And joined with Charles, the rightful king of France.
line 1647O monstrous treachery! Can this be so?
line 1648That in alliance, amity, and oaths
line 1649There should be found such false dissembling guile?
KING HENRY
65line 1650What? Doth my Uncle Burgundy revolt?
GLOUCESTER
line 1651He doth, my lord, and is become your foe.
KING HENRY
line 1652Is that the worst this letter doth contain?
GLOUCESTER
line 1653It is the worst, and all, my lord, he writes.
KING HENRY
line 1654Why, then, Lord Talbot there shall talk with him
70line 1655And give him chastisement for this abuse.—
line 1656How say you, my lord, are you not content?
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 149
TALBOT
line 1657Content, my liege? Yes. But that I am prevented,
line 1658I should have begged I might have been employed.
KING HENRY
line 1659Then gather strength and march unto him straight;
75line 1660Let him perceive how ill we brook his treason
line 1661And what offense it is to flout his friends.
TALBOT
line 1662I go, my lord, in heart desiring still
line 1663You may behold confusion of your foes.He exits.
Enter Vernon, with a white rose, and Basset, with a red rose.
VERNON
line 1664Grant me the combat, gracious sovereign.
BASSET
80line 1665And me, my lord, grant me the combat too.
YORKindicating Vernon
line 1666This is my servant; hear him, noble prince.
SOMERSETindicating Basset
line 1667And this is mine, sweet Henry; favor him.
KING HENRY
line 1668Be patient, lords, and give them leave to speak.—
line 1669Say, gentlemen, what makes you thus exclaim,
85line 1670And wherefore crave you combat, or with whom?
VERNON
line 1671With him, my lord, for he hath done me wrong.
BASSET
line 1672And I with him, for he hath done me wrong.
KING HENRY
line 1673What is that wrong whereof you both complain?
line 1674First let me know, and then I’ll answer you.
BASSET
90line 1675Crossing the sea from England into France,
line 1676This fellow here with envious carping tongue
line 1677Upbraided me about the rose I wear,
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 151
line 1678Saying the sanguine color of the leaves
line 1679Did represent my master’s blushing cheeks
95line 1680When stubbornly he did repugn the truth
line 1681About a certain question in the law
line 1682Argued betwixt the Duke of York and him,
line 1683With other vile and ignominious terms.
line 1684In confutation of which rude reproach,
100line 1685And in defense of my lord’s worthiness,
line 1686I crave the benefit of law of arms.
VERNON
line 1687And that is my petition, noble lord;
line 1688For though he seem with forgèd quaint conceit
line 1689To set a gloss upon his bold intent,
105line 1690Yet know, my lord, I was provoked by him,
line 1691And he first took exceptions at this badge,
line 1692Pronouncing that the paleness of this flower
line 1693Bewrayed the faintness of my master’s heart.
YORK
line 1694Will not this malice, Somerset, be left?
SOMERSET
110line 1695Your private grudge, my Lord of York, will out,
line 1696Though ne’er so cunningly you smother it.
KING HENRY
line 1697Good Lord, what madness rules in brainsick men
line 1698When for so slight and frivolous a cause
line 1699Such factious emulations shall arise!
115line 1700Good cousins both, of York and Somerset,
line 1701Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.
YORK
line 1702Let this dissension first be tried by fight,
line 1703And then your Highness shall command a peace.
SOMERSET
line 1704The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;
120line 1705Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.
YORKthrowing down a gage
line 1706There is my pledge; accept it, Somerset.
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 153
VERNONto Somerset
line 1707Nay, let it rest where it began at first.
BASSETto Somerset
line 1708Confirm it so, mine honorable lord.
GLOUCESTER
line 1709Confirm it so? Confounded be your strife,
125line 1710And perish you with your audacious prate!
line 1711Presumptuous vassals, are you not ashamed
line 1712With this immodest clamorous outrage
line 1713To trouble and disturb the King and us?—
line 1714And you, my lords, methinks you do not well
130line 1715To bear with their perverse objections,
line 1716Much less to take occasion from their mouths
line 1717To raise a mutiny betwixt yourselves.
line 1718Let me persuade you take a better course.
EXETER
line 1719It grieves his Highness. Good my lords, be friends.
KING HENRY
135line 1720Come hither, you that would be combatants:
line 1721Henceforth I charge you, as you love our favor,
line 1722Quite to forget this quarrel and the cause.—
line 1723And you, my lords, remember where we are:
line 1724In France, amongst a fickle wavering nation.
140line 1725If they perceive dissension in our looks,
line 1726And that within ourselves we disagree,
line 1727How will their grudging stomachs be provoked
line 1728To willful disobedience and rebel!
line 1729Besides, what infamy will there arise
145line 1730When foreign princes shall be certified
line 1731That for a toy, a thing of no regard,
line 1732King Henry’s peers and chief nobility
line 1733Destroyed themselves and lost the realm of France!
line 1734O, think upon the conquest of my father,
150line 1735My tender years, and let us not forgo
line 1736That for a trifle that was bought with blood.
line 1737Let me be umpire in this doubtful strife.
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 155
line 1738I see no reason if I wear this rose
line 1739That anyone should therefore be suspicious
155line 1740I more incline to Somerset than York.
He puts on a red rose.
line 1741Both are my kinsmen, and I love them both.
line 1742As well they may upbraid me with my crown
line 1743Because, forsooth, the King of Scots is crowned.
line 1744But your discretions better can persuade
160line 1745Than I am able to instruct or teach;
line 1746And therefore, as we hither came in peace,
line 1747So let us still continue peace and love.
line 1748Cousin of York, we institute your Grace
line 1749To be our regent in these parts of France;—
165line 1750And good my Lord of Somerset, unite
line 1751Your troops of horsemen with his bands of foot;
line 1752And like true subjects, sons of your progenitors,
line 1753Go cheerfully together and digest
line 1754Your angry choler on your enemies.
170line 1755Ourself, my lord protector, and the rest,
line 1756After some respite, will return to Callice;
line 1757From thence to England, where I hope ere long
line 1758To be presented, by your victories,
line 1759With Charles, Alanson, and that traitorous rout.
Flourish. All but York, Warwick, Exeter, Vernon exit.
WARWICK
175line 1760My Lord of York, I promise you the King
line 1761Prettily, methought, did play the orator.
YORK
line 1762And so he did, but yet I like it not
line 1763In that he wears the badge of Somerset.
WARWICK
line 1764Tush, that was but his fancy; blame him not.
180line 1765I dare presume, sweet prince, he thought no harm.
YORK
line 1766And if iwis he did—but let it rest.
line 1767Other affairs must now be managèd.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 157
York, Warwick and Vernon exit. Exeter remains.
EXETER
line 1768Well didst thou, Richard, to suppress thy voice,
line 1769For had the passions of thy heart burst out,
185line 1770I fear we should have seen deciphered there
line 1771More rancorous spite, more furious raging broils,
line 1772Than yet can be imagined or supposed.
line 1773But howsoe’er, no simple man that sees
line 1774This jarring discord of nobility,
190line 1775This shouldering of each other in the court,
line 1776This factious bandying of their favorites,
line 1777But sees it doth presage some ill event.
line 1778’Tis much when scepters are in children’s hands,
line 1779But more when envy breeds unkind division:
195line 1780There comes the ruin; there begins confusion.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Talbot with Soldiers and Trump and Drum before Bordeaux.
TALBOT
line 1781Go to the gates of Bordeaux, trumpeter.
line 1782Summon their general unto the wall.
Trumpet sounds. Enter General and Others aloft.
line 1783English John Talbot, captains, calls you forth,
line 1784Servant-in-arms to Harry, King of England,
5line 1785And thus he would: open your city gates,
line 1786Be humble to us, call my sovereign yours,
line 1787And do him homage as obedient subjects,
line 1788And I’ll withdraw me and my bloody power.
line 1789But if you frown upon this proffered peace,
10line 1790You tempt the fury of my three attendants,
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 159
line 1791Lean Famine, quartering Steel, and climbing Fire,
line 1792Who, in a moment, even with the earth
line 1793Shall lay your stately and air-braving towers,
line 1794If you forsake the offer of their love.
GENERAL
15line 1795Thou ominous and fearful owl of death,
line 1796Our nation’s terror and their bloody scourge,
line 1797The period of thy tyranny approacheth.
line 1798On us thou canst not enter but by death;
line 1799For I protest we are well fortified
20line 1800And strong enough to issue out and fight.
line 1801If thou retire, the Dauphin, well appointed,
line 1802Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee.
line 1803On either hand thee, there are squadrons pitched
line 1804To wall thee from the liberty of flight;
25line 1805And no way canst thou turn thee for redress
line 1806But Death doth front thee with apparent spoil,
line 1807And pale Destruction meets thee in the face.
line 1808Ten thousand French have ta’en the Sacrament
line 1809To rive their dangerous artillery
30line 1810Upon no Christian soul but English Talbot.
line 1811Lo, there thou stand’st, a breathing valiant man
line 1812Of an invincible unconquered spirit.
line 1813This is the latest glory of thy praise
line 1814That I, thy enemy, due thee withal;
35line 1815For ere the glass that now begins to run
line 1816Finish the process of his sandy hour,
line 1817These eyes, that see thee now well-colorèd,
line 1818Shall see thee withered, bloody, pale, and dead.
Drum afar off.
line 1819Hark, hark, the Dauphin’s drum, a warning bell,
40line 1820Sings heavy music to thy timorous soul,
line 1821And mine shall ring thy dire departure out.
He exits, aloft, with Others.
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 161
TALBOT
line 1822He fables not; I hear the enemy.
line 1823Out, some light horsemen, and peruse their wings.
Some Soldiers exit.
line 1824O, negligent and heedless discipline,
45line 1825How are we parked and bounded in a pale,
line 1826A little herd of England’s timorous deer
line 1827Mazed with a yelping kennel of French curs.
line 1828If we be English deer, be then in blood,
line 1829Not rascal-like to fall down with a pinch,
50line 1830But rather, moody-mad and desperate stags,
line 1831Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel
line 1832And make the cowards stand aloof at bay.
line 1833Sell every man his life as dear as mine
line 1834And they shall find dear deer of us, my friends.
55line 1835God and Saint George, Talbot and England’s right,
line 1836Prosper our colors in this dangerous fight!
He exits with Soldiers, Drum and Trumpet.
Scene 3
Enter a Messenger that meets York. Enter York with Trumpet and many Soldiers.
YORK
line 1837Are not the speedy scouts returned again
line 1838That dogged the mighty army of the Dauphin?
MESSENGER
line 1839They are returned, my lord, and give it out
line 1840That he is marched to Bordeaux with his power
5line 1841To fight with Talbot. As he marched along,
line 1842By your espials were discoverèd
line 1843Two mightier troops than that the Dauphin led,
line 1844Which joined with him and made their march for
line 1845Bordeaux.He exits.
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 163
YORK
10line 1846A plague upon that villain Somerset
line 1847That thus delays my promisèd supply
line 1848Of horsemen that were levied for this siege!
line 1849Renownèd Talbot doth expect my aid,
line 1850And I am louted by a traitor villain
15line 1851And cannot help the noble chevalier.
line 1852God comfort him in this necessity.
line 1853If he miscarry, farewell wars in France.
Enter Sir William Lucy.
LUCY
line 1854Thou princely leader of our English strength,
line 1855Never so needful on the earth of France,
20line 1856Spur to the rescue of the noble Talbot,
line 1857Who now is girdled with a waist of iron
line 1858And hemmed about with grim destruction.
line 1859To Bordeaux, warlike duke! To Bordeaux, York!
line 1860Else farewell Talbot, France, and England’s honor.
YORK
25line 1861O God, that Somerset, who in proud heart
line 1862Doth stop my cornets, were in Talbot’s place!
line 1863So should we save a valiant gentleman
line 1864By forfeiting a traitor and a coward.
line 1865Mad ire and wrathful fury makes me weep
30line 1866That thus we die while remiss traitors sleep.
LUCY
line 1867O, send some succor to the distressed lord!
YORK
line 1868He dies, we lose; I break my warlike word;
line 1869We mourn, France smiles; we lose, they daily get,
line 1870All long of this vile traitor Somerset.
LUCY
35line 1871Then God take mercy on brave Talbot’s soul,
line 1872And on his son, young John, who two hours since
line 1873I met in travel toward his warlike father.
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 165
line 1874This seven years did not Talbot see his son,
line 1875And now they meet where both their lives are done.
YORK
40line 1876Alas, what joy shall noble Talbot have
line 1877To bid his young son welcome to his grave?
line 1878Away! Vexation almost stops my breath,
line 1879That sundered friends greet in the hour of death.
line 1880Lucy, farewell. No more my fortune can
45line 1881But curse the cause I cannot aid the man.
line 1882Maine, Blois, Poictiers, and Tours are won away,
line 1883Long all of Somerset and his delay.
York and his Soldiers exit.
LUCY
line 1884Thus while the vulture of sedition
line 1885Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders,
50line 1886Sleeping neglection doth betray to loss
line 1887The conquest of our scarce-cold conqueror,
line 1888That ever-living man of memory,
line 1889Henry the Fifth. Whiles they each other cross,
line 1890Lives, honors, lands, and all hurry to loss.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter Somerset with his army and a Captain from Talbot’s army.
SOMERSET
line 1891It is too late; I cannot send them now.
line 1892This expedition was by York and Talbot
line 1893Too rashly plotted. All our general force
line 1894Might with a sally of the very town
5line 1895Be buckled with. The overdaring Talbot
line 1896Hath sullied all his gloss of former honor
line 1897By this unheedful, desperate, wild adventure.
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 167
line 1898York set him on to fight and die in shame
line 1899That, Talbot dead, great York might bear the name.
Enter Sir William Lucy.
CAPTAIN
10line 1900Here is Sir William Lucy, who with me
line 1901Set from our o’er-matched forces forth for aid.
SOMERSET
line 1902How now, Sir William, whither were you sent?
LUCY
line 1903Whither, my lord? From bought and sold Lord Talbot,
line 1904Who, ringed about with bold adversity,
15line 1905Cries out for noble York and Somerset
line 1906To beat assailing Death from his weak regions;
line 1907And whiles the honorable captain there
line 1908Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs
line 1909And, in advantage ling’ring, looks for rescue,
20line 1910You, his false hopes, the trust of England’s honor,
line 1911Keep off aloof with worthless emulation.
line 1912Let not your private discord keep away
line 1913The levied succors that should lend him aid,
line 1914While he, renownèd noble gentleman,
25line 1915Yield up his life unto a world of odds.
line 1916Orleance the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy,
line 1917Alanson, Reignier compass him about,
line 1918And Talbot perisheth by your default.
SOMERSET
line 1919York set him on; York should have sent him aid.
LUCY
30line 1920And York as fast upon your Grace exclaims,
line 1921Swearing that you withhold his levied host
line 1922Collected for this expedition.
SOMERSET
line 1923York lies. He might have sent and had the horse.
line 1924I owe him little duty and less love,
35line 1925And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending.
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 169
LUCY
line 1926The fraud of England, not the force of France,
line 1927Hath now entrapped the noble-minded Talbot.
line 1928Never to England shall he bear his life,
line 1929But dies betrayed to fortune by your strife.
SOMERSET
40line 1930Come, go. I will dispatch the horsemen straight.
line 1931Within six hours they will be at his aid.
LUCY
line 1932Too late comes rescue; he is ta’en or slain,
line 1933For fly he could not if he would have fled;
line 1934And fly would Talbot never, though he might.
SOMERSET
45line 1935If he be dead, brave Talbot, then adieu.
LUCY
line 1936His fame lives in the world, his shame in you.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Talbot and John Talbot, his son.
TALBOT
line 1937O young John Talbot, I did send for thee
line 1938To tutor thee in stratagems of war,
line 1939That Talbot’s name might be in thee revived
line 1940When sapless age and weak unable limbs
5line 1941Should bring thy father to his drooping chair.
line 1942But—O, malignant and ill-boding stars!—
line 1943Now thou art come unto a feast of Death,
line 1944A terrible and unavoided danger.
line 1945Therefore, dear boy, mount on my swiftest horse,
10line 1946And I’ll direct thee how thou shalt escape
line 1947By sudden flight. Come, dally not, be gone.
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 171
JOHN TALBOT
line 1948Is my name Talbot? And am I your son?
line 1949And shall I fly? O, if you love my mother,
line 1950Dishonor not her honorable name
15line 1951To make a bastard and a slave of me!
line 1952The world will say “He is not Talbot’s blood,
line 1953That basely fled when noble Talbot stood.”
TALBOT
line 1954Fly, to revenge my death if I be slain.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1955He that flies so will ne’er return again.
TALBOT
20line 1956If we both stay, we both are sure to die.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1957Then let me stay and, father, do you fly.
line 1958Your loss is great; so your regard should be.
line 1959My worth unknown, no loss is known in me.
line 1960Upon my death, the French can little boast;
25line 1961In yours they will; in you all hopes are lost.
line 1962Flight cannot stain the honor you have won,
line 1963But mine it will, that no exploit have done.
line 1964You fled for vantage, everyone will swear;
line 1965But if I bow, they’ll say it was for fear.
30line 1966There is no hope that ever I will stay
line 1967If the first hour I shrink and run away.He kneels.
line 1968Here on my knee I beg mortality,
line 1969Rather than life preserved with infamy.
TALBOT
line 1970Shall all thy mother’s hopes lie in one tomb?
JOHN TALBOT
35line 1971Ay, rather than I’ll shame my mother’s womb.
TALBOT
line 1972Upon my blessing I command thee go.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1973To fight I will, but not to fly the foe.
Act 4 Scene 5 - Pg 173
TALBOT
line 1974Part of thy father may be saved in thee.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1975No part of him but will be shame in me.
TALBOT
40line 1976Thou never hadst renown, nor canst not lose it.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1977Yes, your renownèd name; shall flight abuse it?
TALBOT
line 1978Thy father’s charge shall clear thee from that stain.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1979You cannot witness for me, being slain.
line 1980If death be so apparent, then both fly.
TALBOT
45line 1981And leave my followers here to fight and die?
line 1982My age was never tainted with such shame.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1983And shall my youth be guilty of such blame?
He rises.
line 1984No more can I be severed from your side
line 1985Than can yourself yourself in twain divide.
50line 1986Stay, go, do what you will; the like do I,
line 1987For live I will not, if my father die.
TALBOT
line 1988Then here I take my leave of thee, fair son,
line 1989Born to eclipse thy life this afternoon.
line 1990Come, side by side, together live and die,
55line 1991And soul with soul from France to heaven fly.
They exit.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 175
Scene 6
Alarum. Excursions, wherein Talbot’s son Johnis hemmed about, and Talbot rescues him.
TALBOT
line 1992Saint George, and victory! Fight, soldiers, fight!
line 1993The Regent hath with Talbot broke his word
line 1994And left us to the rage of France his sword.
line 1995Where is John Talbot?—Pause, and take thy breath;
5line 1996I gave thee life and rescued thee from death.
JOHN TALBOT
line 1997O, twice my father, twice am I thy son!
line 1998The life thou gav’st me first was lost and done
line 1999Till with thy warlike sword, despite of fate,
line 2000To my determined time thou gav’st new date.
TALBOT
10line 2001When from the Dauphin’s crest thy sword struck fire,
line 2002It warmed thy father’s heart with proud desire
line 2003Of bold-faced victory. Then leaden age,
line 2004Quickened with youthful spleen and warlike rage,
line 2005Beat down Alanson, Orleance, Burgundy,
15line 2006And from the pride of Gallia rescued thee.
line 2007The ireful Bastard Orleance, that drew blood
line 2008From thee, my boy, and had the maidenhood
line 2009Of thy first fight, I soon encounterèd,
line 2010And, interchanging blows, I quickly shed
20line 2011Some of his bastard blood, and in disgrace
line 2012Bespoke him thus: “Contaminated, base,
line 2013And misbegotten blood I spill of thine,
line 2014Mean and right poor, for that pure blood of mine
line 2015Which thou didst force from Talbot, my brave boy.”
25line 2016Here, purposing the Bastard to destroy,
line 2017Came in strong rescue. Speak, thy father’s care:
line 2018Art thou not weary, John? How dost thou fare?
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 177
line 2019Wilt thou yet leave the battle, boy, and fly,
line 2020Now thou art sealed the son of chivalry?
30line 2021Fly, to revenge my death when I am dead;
line 2022The help of one stands me in little stead.
line 2023O, too much folly is it, well I wot,
line 2024To hazard all our lives in one small boat.
line 2025If I today die not with Frenchmen’s rage,
35line 2026Tomorrow I shall die with mickle age.
line 2027By me they nothing gain, and, if I stay,
line 2028’Tis but the short’ning of my life one day.
line 2029In thee thy mother dies, our household’s name,
line 2030My death’s revenge, thy youth, and England’s fame.
40line 2031All these and more we hazard by thy stay;
line 2032All these are saved if thou wilt fly away.
JOHN TALBOT
line 2033The sword of Orleance hath not made me smart;
line 2034These words of yours draw lifeblood from my heart.
line 2035On that advantage, bought with such a shame,
45line 2036To save a paltry life and slay bright fame,
line 2037Before young Talbot from old Talbot fly,
line 2038The coward horse that bears me fall and die!
line 2039And like me to the peasant boys of France,
line 2040To be shame’s scorn and subject of mischance!
50line 2041Surely, by all the glory you have won,
line 2042An if I fly, I am not Talbot’s son.
line 2043Then talk no more of flight, it is no boot;
line 2044If son to Talbot, die at Talbot’s foot.
TALBOT
line 2045Then follow thou thy desp’rate sire of Crete,
55line 2046Thou Icarus; thy life to me is sweet.
line 2047If thou wilt fight, fight by thy father’s side,
line 2048And commendable proved, let’s die in pride.
They exit.
Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 179
Scene 7
Alarum. Excursions. Enter old Talbotled by a Servant.
TALBOT
line 2049Where is my other life? Mine own is gone.
line 2050O, where’s young Talbot? Where is valiant John?
line 2051Triumphant Death, smeared with captivity,
line 2052Young Talbot’s valor makes me smile at thee.
5line 2053When he perceived me shrink and on my knee,
line 2054His bloody sword he brandished over me,
line 2055And like a hungry lion did commence
line 2056Rough deeds of rage and stern impatience;
line 2057But when my angry guardant stood alone,
10line 2058Tend’ring my ruin and assailed of none,
line 2059Dizzy-eyed fury and great rage of heart
line 2060Suddenly made him from my side to start
line 2061Into the clust’ring battle of the French;
line 2062And in that sea of blood, my boy did drench
15line 2063His over-mounting spirit; and there died
line 2064My Icarus, my blossom, in his pride.
Enter Soldiers with John Talbot, borne.
SERVINGMAN
line 2065O, my dear lord, lo where your son is borne!
TALBOT
line 2066Thou antic Death, which laugh’st us here to scorn,
line 2067Anon from thy insulting tyranny,
20line 2068Coupled in bonds of perpetuity,
line 2069Two Talbots, wingèd through the lither sky,
line 2070In thy despite shall scape mortality.—
line 2071O, thou whose wounds become hard-favored Death,
line 2072Speak to thy father ere thou yield thy breath!
25line 2073Brave Death by speaking, whither he will or no.
line 2074Imagine him a Frenchman and thy foe.—
Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 181
line 2075Poor boy, he smiles, methinks, as who should say
line 2076“Had Death been French, then Death had died
line 2077today.”—
30line 2078Come, come, and lay him in his father’s arms;
line 2079My spirit can no longer bear these harms.
line 2080Soldiers, adieu! I have what I would have,
line 2081Now my old arms are young John Talbot’s grave.
Dies.
Alarums. Soldiers exit.
Enter Charles, Alanson, Burgundy, Bastard, and Pucelle, with Forces.
CHARLES
line 2082Had York and Somerset brought rescue in,
35line 2083We should have found a bloody day of this.
BASTARD
line 2084How the young whelp of Talbot’s, raging wood,
line 2085Did flesh his puny sword in Frenchmen’s blood!
PUCELLE
line 2086Once I encountered him, and thus I said:
line 2087“Thou maiden youth, be vanquished by a maid.”
40line 2088But with a proud majestical high scorn
line 2089He answered thus: “Young Talbot was not born
line 2090To be the pillage of a giglot wench.”
line 2091So, rushing in the bowels of the French,
line 2092He left me proudly, as unworthy fight.
BURGUNDY
45line 2093Doubtless he would have made a noble knight.
line 2094See where he lies inhearsèd in the arms
line 2095Of the most bloody nurser of his harms.
BASTARD
line 2096Hew them to pieces, hack their bones asunder,
line 2097Whose life was England’s glory, Gallia’s wonder.
CHARLES
50line 2098O, no, forbear! For that which we have fled
line 2099During the life, let us not wrong it dead.
Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 183
Enter Lucy with Attendants and a French Herald.
LUCY
line 2100Herald, conduct me to the Dauphin’s tent,
line 2101To know who hath obtained the glory of the day.
CHARLES
line 2102On what submissive message art thou sent?
LUCY
55line 2103Submission, dauphin? ’Tis a mere French word.
line 2104We English warriors wot not what it means.
line 2105I come to know what prisoners thou hast ta’en,
line 2106And to survey the bodies of the dead.
CHARLES
line 2107For prisoners askst thou? Hell our prison is.
60line 2108But tell me whom thou seek’st.
LUCY
line 2109But where’s the great Alcides of the field,
line 2110Valiant Lord Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury,
line 2111Created for his rare success in arms
line 2112Great Earl of Washford, Waterford, and Valence,
65line 2113Lord Talbot of Goodrich and Urchinfield,
line 2114Lord Strange of Blackmere, Lord Verdon of Alton,
line 2115Lord Cromwell of Wingfield, Lord Furnival of
line 2116Sheffield,
line 2117The thrice victorious Lord of Falconbridge,
70line 2118Knight of the noble Order of Saint George,
line 2119Worthy Saint Michael, and the Golden Fleece,
line 2120Great Marshal to Henry the Sixth
line 2121Of all his wars within the realm of France?
PUCELLE
line 2122Here’s a silly stately style indeed.
75line 2123The Turk, that two-and-fifty kingdoms hath,
line 2124Writes not so tedious a style as this.
line 2125Him that thou magnifi’st with all these titles
line 2126Stinking and flyblown lies here at our feet.
Act 4 Scene 7 - Pg 185
LUCY
line 2127Is Talbot slain, the Frenchmen’s only scourge,
80line 2128Your kingdom’s terror and black Nemesis?
line 2129O, were mine eyeballs into bullets turned
line 2130That I in rage might shoot them at your faces!
line 2131O, that I could but call these dead to life,
line 2132It were enough to fright the realm of France.
85line 2133Were but his picture left amongst you here,
line 2134It would amaze the proudest of you all.
line 2135Give me their bodies, that I may bear them hence
line 2136And give them burial as beseems their worth.
PUCELLE
line 2137I think this upstart is old Talbot’s ghost,
90line 2138He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit.
line 2139For God’s sake, let him have him. To keep them here,
line 2140They would but stink and putrefy the air.
CHARLES
line 2141Go, take their bodies hence.
line 2142LUCYI’ll bear them hence.
95line 2143But from their ashes shall be reared
line 2144A phoenix that shall make all France afeard.
CHARLES
line 2145So we be rid of them, do with him what thou wilt.
Lucy, Servant, and Attendants exit, bearing the bodies.
line 2146And now to Paris in this conquering vein.
line 2147All will be ours, now bloody Talbot’s slain.
They exit.
ACT 5
Scene 1
Sennet. Enter King, Gloucester, and Exeter, with Attendants.
KING HENRYto Gloucester
line 2148Have you perused the letters from the Pope,
line 2149The Emperor, and the Earl of Armagnac?
GLOUCESTER
line 2150I have, my lord, and their intent is this:
line 2151They humbly sue unto your Excellence
5line 2152To have a godly peace concluded of
line 2153Between the realms of England and of France.
KING HENRY
line 2154How doth your Grace affect their motion?
GLOUCESTER
line 2155Well, my good lord, and as the only means
line 2156To stop effusion of our Christian blood
10line 2157And stablish quietness on every side.
KING HENRY
line 2158Ay, marry, uncle, for I always thought
line 2159It was both impious and unnatural
line 2160That such immanity and bloody strife
line 2161Should reign among professors of one faith.
GLOUCESTER
15line 2162Besides, my lord, the sooner to effect
line 2163And surer bind this knot of amity,
line 2164The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles,
line 2165A man of great authority in France,
line 2166Proffers his only daughter to your Grace
20line 2167In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 191
KING HENRY
line 2168Marriage, uncle? Alas, my years are young;
line 2169And fitter is my study and my books
line 2170Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
line 2171Yet call th’ Ambassadors and, as you please,
25line 2172So let them have their answers every one.
An Attendant exits.
line 2173I shall be well content with any choice
line 2174Tends to God’s glory and my country’s weal.
Enter Winchester, dressed in cardinal’s robes, and the Ambassador of Armagnac, a Papal Legate, and another Ambassador.
EXETERaside
line 2175What, is my Lord of Winchester installed
line 2176And called unto a cardinal’s degree?
30line 2177Then I perceive that will be verified
line 2178Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy:
line 2179“If once he come to be a cardinal,
line 2180He’ll make his cap coequal with the crown.”
KING HENRY
line 2181My Lords Ambassadors, your several suits
35line 2182Have been considered and debated on;
line 2183Your purpose is both good and reasonable,
line 2184And therefore are we certainly resolved
line 2185To draw conditions of a friendly peace,
line 2186Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
40line 2187Shall be transported presently to France.
GLOUCESTERto the Ambassador of Armagnac
line 2188And for the proffer of my lord your master,
line 2189I have informed his Highness so at large
line 2190As, liking of the lady’s virtuous gifts,
line 2191Her beauty, and the value of her dower,
45line 2192He doth intend she shall be England’s queen.
Act 5 Scene 2 - Pg 193
KING HENRYhanding a jewel to the Ambassador
line 2193In argument and proof of which contract,
line 2194Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.—
line 2195And so, my Lord Protector, see them guarded
line 2196And safely brought to Dover, where, inshipped,
50line 2197Commit them to the fortune of the sea.
All except Winchester and Legate exit.
WINCHESTER
line 2198Stay, my Lord Legate; you shall first receive
line 2199The sum of money which I promisèd
line 2200Should be delivered to his Holiness
line 2201For clothing me in these grave ornaments.
LEGATE
55line 2202I will attend upon your Lordship’s leisure.He exits.
WINCHESTER
line 2203Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
line 2204Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
line 2205Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive
line 2206That neither in birth or for authority
60line 2207The Bishop will be overborne by thee.
line 2208I’ll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
line 2209Or sack this country with a mutiny.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alanson, Bastard, Reignier, and Joan la Pucelle, with Soldiers.
CHARLES
line 2210These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:
line 2211’Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
line 2212And turn again unto the warlike French.
ALANSON
line 2213Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France,
5line 2214And keep not back your powers in dalliance.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 195
PUCELLE
line 2215Peace be amongst them if they turn to us;
line 2216Else ruin combat with their palaces!
Enter Scout.
SCOUT
line 2217Success unto our valiant general,
line 2218And happiness to his accomplices.
CHARLES
10line 2219What tidings send our scouts? I prithee speak.
SCOUT
line 2220The English army that divided was
line 2221Into two parties is now conjoined in one,
line 2222And means to give you battle presently.
CHARLES
line 2223Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is,
15line 2224But we will presently provide for them.
BURGUNDY
line 2225I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there.
line 2226Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear.
PUCELLE
line 2227Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.
line 2228Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine;
20line 2229Let Henry fret and all the world repine.
CHARLES
line 2230Then on, my lords, and France be fortunate!
They exit.
Scene 3
Alarum. Excursions. Enter Joan la Pucelle.
PUCELLE
line 2231The Regent conquers and the Frenchmen fly.
line 2232Now help, you charming spells and periapts,
line 2233And you choice spirits that admonish me,
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 197
line 2234And give me signs of future accidents.Thunder.
5line 2235You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
line 2236Under the lordly monarch of the north,
line 2237Appear, and aid me in this enterprise.
Enter Fiends.
line 2238This speed and quick appearance argues proof
line 2239Of your accustomed diligence to me.
10line 2240Now, you familiar spirits that are culled
line 2241Out of the powerful regions under earth,
line 2242Help me this once, that France may get the field.
They walk, and speak not.
line 2243O, hold me not with silence overlong!
line 2244Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
15line 2245I’ll lop a member off and give it you
line 2246In earnest of a further benefit,
line 2247So you do condescend to help me now.
They hang their heads.
line 2248No hope to have redress? My body shall
line 2249Pay recompense if you will grant my suit.
They shake their heads.
20line 2250Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice
line 2251Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
line 2252Then take my soul—my body, soul, and all—
line 2253Before that England give the French the foil.
They depart.
line 2254See, they forsake me. Now the time is come
25line 2255That France must vail her lofty-plumèd crest
line 2256And let her head fall into England’s lap.
line 2257My ancient incantations are too weak,
line 2258And hell too strong for me to buckle with.
line 2259Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.
She exits.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 199
Excursions. Burgundy and York fight hand to hand. Burgundy and the French fly as York and English soldiers capture Joan la Pucelle.
YORK
30line 2260Damsel of France, I think I have you fast.
line 2261Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms,
line 2262And try if they can gain your liberty.
line 2263A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace!
line 2264See how the ugly witch doth bend her brows
35line 2265As if with Circe she would change my shape.
PUCELLE
line 2266Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be.
YORK
line 2267O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;
line 2268No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
PUCELLE
line 2269A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee,
40line 2270And may you both be suddenly surprised
line 2271By bloody hands in sleeping on your beds!
YORK
line 2272Fell banning hag! Enchantress, hold thy tongue.
PUCELLE
line 2273I prithee give me leave to curse awhile.
YORK
line 2274Curse, miscreant, when thou com’st to the stake.
They exit.
Alarum. Enter Suffolk with Margaret in his hand.
SUFFOLK
45line 2275Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
Gazes on her.
line 2276O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly,
line 2277For I will touch thee but with reverent hands.
line 2278I kiss these fingers for eternal peace
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 201
line 2279And lay them gently on thy tender side.
50line 2280Who art thou? Say, that I may honor thee.
MARGARET
line 2281Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,
line 2282The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.
SUFFOLK
line 2283An earl I am, and Suffolk am I called.
line 2284Be not offended, nature’s miracle;
55line 2285Thou art allotted to be ta’en by me.
line 2286So doth the swan her downy cygnets save,
line 2287Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings.
line 2288Yet if this servile usage once offend,
line 2289Go and be free again as Suffolk’s friend.
She is going.
60line 2290O, stay! Aside. I have no power to let her pass.
line 2291My hand would free her, but my heart says no.
line 2292As plays the sun upon the glassy streams,
line 2293Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
line 2294So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
65line 2295Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak.
line 2296I’ll call for pen and ink and write my mind.
line 2297Fie, de la Pole, disable not thyself!
line 2298Hast not a tongue? Is she not here?
line 2299Wilt thou be daunted at a woman’s sight?
70line 2300Ay. Beauty’s princely majesty is such
line 2301Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.
MARGARET
line 2302Say, Earl of Suffolk, if thy name be so,
line 2303What ransom must I pay before I pass?
line 2304For I perceive I am thy prisoner.
SUFFOLKaside
75line 2305How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit
line 2306Before thou make a trial of her love?
MARGARET
line 2307Why speak’st thou not? What ransom must I pay?
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 203
SUFFOLKaside
line 2308She’s beautiful, and therefore to be wooed;
line 2309She is a woman, therefore to be won.
MARGARET
80line 2310Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea or no?
SUFFOLKaside
line 2311Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife;
line 2312Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?
MARGARETaside
line 2313I were best to leave him, for he will not hear.
SUFFOLKaside
line 2314There all is marred; there lies a cooling card.
MARGARETaside
85line 2315He talks at random; sure the man is mad.
SUFFOLKaside
line 2316And yet a dispensation may be had.
MARGARET
line 2317And yet I would that you would answer me.
SUFFOLKaside
line 2318I’ll win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
line 2319Why, for my king. Tush, that’s a wooden thing!
MARGARETaside
90line 2320He talks of wood. It is some carpenter.
SUFFOLKaside
line 2321Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,
line 2322And peace establishèd between these realms.
line 2323But there remains a scruple in that, too;
line 2324For though her father be the King of Naples,
95line 2325Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor,
line 2326And our nobility will scorn the match.
MARGARET
line 2327Hear you, captain? Are you not at leisure?
SUFFOLKaside
line 2328It shall be so, disdain they ne’er so much.
line 2329Henry is youthful, and will quickly yield.—
100line 2330Madam, I have a secret to reveal.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 205
MARGARETaside
line 2331What though I be enthralled, he seems a knight,
line 2332And will not any way dishonor me.
SUFFOLK
line 2333Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
MARGARETaside
line 2334Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French,
105line 2335And then I need not crave his courtesy.
SUFFOLK
line 2336Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause.
MARGARETaside
line 2337Tush, women have been captivate ere now.
SUFFOLK
line 2338Lady, wherefore talk you so?
MARGARET
line 2339I cry you mercy, ’tis but quid for quo.
SUFFOLK
110line 2340Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose
line 2341Your bondage happy, to be made a queen?
MARGARET
line 2342To be a queen in bondage is more vile
line 2343Than is a slave in base servility,
line 2344For princes should be free.
115line 2345SUFFOLKAnd so shall you,
line 2346If happy England’s royal king be free.
MARGARET
line 2347Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
SUFFOLK
line 2348I’ll undertake to make thee Henry’s queen,
line 2349To put a golden scepter in thy hand
120line 2350And set a precious crown upon thy head,
line 2351If thou wilt condescend to be my—
line 2352MARGARETWhat?
line 2353SUFFOLKHis love.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 207
MARGARET
line 2354I am unworthy to be Henry’s wife.
SUFFOLK
125line 2355No, gentle madam, I unworthy am
line 2356To woo so fair a dame to be his wife,
line 2357And have no portion in the choice myself.
line 2358How say you, madam? Are you so content?
MARGARET
line 2359An if my father please, I am content.
SUFFOLK
130line 2360Then call our captains and our colors forth!
A Soldier exits.
line 2361And, madam, at your father’s castle walls
line 2362We’ll crave a parley to confer with him.
Enter Captains and Trumpets. Sound a parley.
Enter Reignier on the walls.
line 2363See, Reignier, see thy daughter prisoner!
REIGNIER
line 2364To whom?
135line 2365SUFFOLKTo me.
line 2366REIGNIERSuffolk, what remedy?
line 2367I am a soldier and unapt to weep
line 2368Or to exclaim on Fortune’s fickleness.
SUFFOLK
line 2369Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:
140line 2370Consent, and, for thy Honor give consent,
line 2371Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king,
line 2372Whom I with pain have wooed and won thereto;
line 2373And this her easy-held imprisonment
line 2374Hath gained thy daughter princely liberty.
REIGNIER
145line 2375Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
line 2376SUFFOLKFair Margaret knows
line 2377That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 209
REIGNIER
line 2378Upon thy princely warrant, I descend
line 2379To give thee answer of thy just demand.
He exits from the walls.
SUFFOLK
150line 2380And here I will expect thy coming.
Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below.
REIGNIER
line 2381Welcome, brave earl, into our territories.
line 2382Command in Anjou what your Honor pleases.
SUFFOLK
line 2383Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,
line 2384Fit to be made companion with a king.
155line 2385What answer makes your Grace unto my suit?
REIGNIER
line 2386Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
line 2387To be the princely bride of such a lord,
line 2388Upon condition I may quietly
line 2389Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou,
160line 2390Free from oppression or the stroke of war,
line 2391My daughter shall be Henry’s, if he please.
SUFFOLK
line 2392That is her ransom; I deliver her,
line 2393And those two counties I will undertake
line 2394Your Grace shall well and quietly enjoy.
REIGNIER
165line 2395And I, again in Henry’s royal name
line 2396As deputy unto that gracious king,
line 2397Give thee her hand for sign of plighted faith.
SUFFOLK
line 2398Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks
line 2399Because this is in traffic of a king.
170line 2400Aside. And yet methinks I could be well content
line 2401To be mine own attorney in this case.—
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 211
line 2402I’ll over then to England with this news,
line 2403And make this marriage to be solemnized.
line 2404So farewell, Reignier; set this diamond safe
175line 2405In golden palaces, as it becomes.
REIGNIERembracing Suffolk
line 2406I do embrace thee, as I would embrace
line 2407The Christian prince King Henry, were he here.
MARGARETto Suffolk
line 2408Farewell, my lord; good wishes, praise, and prayers
line 2409Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret.
She is going, as Reignier exits.
SUFFOLK
180line 2410Farewell, sweet madam. But, hark you, Margaret,
line 2411No princely commendations to my king?
MARGARET
line 2412Such commendations as becomes a maid,
line 2413A virgin, and his servant, say to him.
SUFFOLK
line 2414Words sweetly placed and modestly directed.
185line 2415But, madam, I must trouble you again:
line 2416No loving token to his Majesty?
MARGARET
line 2417Yes, my good lord: a pure unspotted heart,
line 2418Never yet taint with love, I send the King.
line 2419SUFFOLKAnd this withal.Kiss her.
MARGARET
190line 2420That for thyself. I will not so presume
line 2421To send such peevish tokens to a king.She exits.
SUFFOLK
line 2422O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay.
line 2423Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth.
line 2424There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
195line 2425Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise;
line 2426Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 213
line 2427And natural graces that extinguish art;
line 2428Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
line 2429That, when thou com’st to kneel at Henry’s feet,
200line 2430Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.
He exits.
Scene 4
Enter York, Warwick, Shepherd, and Pucelle, guarded.
YORK
line 2431Bring forth that sorceress condemned to burn.
SHEPHERD
line 2432Ah, Joan, this kills thy father’s heart outright.
line 2433Have I sought every country far and near,
line 2434And, now it is my chance to find thee out,
5line 2435Must I behold thy timeless cruel death?
line 2436Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I’ll die with thee.
PUCELLE
line 2437Decrepit miser, base ignoble wretch!
line 2438I am descended of a gentler blood.
line 2439Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.
SHEPHERD
10line 2440Out, out!—My lords, an please you, ’tis not so!
line 2441I did beget her, all the parish knows;
line 2442Her mother liveth yet, can testify
line 2443She was the first fruit of my bach’lorship.
WARWICK
line 2444Graceless, wilt thou deny thy parentage?
YORK
15line 2445This argues what her kind of life hath been,
line 2446Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
SHEPHERD
line 2447Fie, Joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle!
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 215
line 2448God knows thou art a collop of my flesh,
line 2449And for thy sake have I shed many a tear.
20line 2450Deny me not, I prithee, gentle Joan.
PUCELLE
line 2451Peasant, avaunt!—You have suborned this man
line 2452Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.
SHEPHERD
line 2453’Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest
line 2454The morn that I was wedded to her mother.—
25line 2455Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl.
line 2456Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursèd be the time
line 2457Of thy nativity! I would the milk
line 2458Thy mother gave thee when thou suck’dst her
line 2459breast
30line 2460Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake!
line 2461Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs afield,
line 2462I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee!
line 2463Dost thou deny thy father, cursèd drab?
line 2464O burn her, burn her! Hanging is too good.He exits.
YORK
35line 2465Take her away, for she hath lived too long
line 2466To fill the world with vicious qualities.
PUCELLE
line 2467First, let me tell you whom you have condemned:
line 2468Not one begotten of a shepherd swain,
line 2469But issued from the progeny of kings,
40line 2470Virtuous and holy, chosen from above
line 2471By inspiration of celestial grace
line 2472To work exceeding miracles on earth.
line 2473I never had to do with wicked spirits.
line 2474But you, that are polluted with your lusts,
45line 2475Stained with the guiltless blood of innocents,
line 2476Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices,
line 2477Because you want the grace that others have,
line 2478You judge it straight a thing impossible
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 217
line 2479To compass wonders but by help of devils.
50line 2480No, misconceivèd! Joan of Arc hath been
line 2481A virgin from her tender infancy,
line 2482Chaste and immaculate in very thought,
line 2483Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effused,
line 2484Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.
YORK
55line 2485Ay, ay.—Away with her to execution.
WARWICK
line 2486And hark you, sirs: because she is a maid,
line 2487Spare for no faggots; let there be enow.
line 2488Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake
line 2489That so her torture may be shortenèd.
PUCELLE
60line 2490Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?
line 2491Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity,
line 2492That warranteth by law to be thy privilege:
line 2493I am with child, you bloody homicides.
line 2494Murder not then the fruit within my womb,
65line 2495Although you hale me to a violent death.
YORK
line 2496Now heaven forfend, the holy maid with child?
WARWICKto Pucelle
line 2497The greatest miracle that e’er you wrought!
line 2498Is all your strict preciseness come to this?
YORK
line 2499She and the Dauphin have been juggling.
70line 2500I did imagine what would be her refuge.
WARWICK
line 2501Well, go to, we’ll have no bastards live,
line 2502Especially since Charles must father it.
PUCELLE
line 2503You are deceived; my child is none of his.
line 2504It was Alanson that enjoyed my love.
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 219
YORK
75line 2505Alanson, that notorious Machiavel?
line 2506It dies an if it had a thousand lives!
PUCELLE
line 2507O, give me leave! I have deluded you.
line 2508’Twas neither Charles nor yet the Duke I named,
line 2509But Reignier, King of Naples, that prevailed.
WARWICK
80line 2510A married man? That’s most intolerable.
YORK
line 2511Why, here’s a girl! I think she knows not well—
line 2512There were so many—whom she may accuse.
WARWICK
line 2513It’s sign she hath been liberal and free.
YORK
line 2514And yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure!—
85line 2515Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat and thee.
line 2516Use no entreaty, for it is in vain.
PUCELLE
line 2517Then lead me hence, with whom I leave my curse:
line 2518May never glorious sun reflex his beams
line 2519Upon the country where you make abode,
90line 2520But darkness and the gloomy shade of death
line 2521Environ you, till mischief and despair
line 2522Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves.
She exits, led by Guards.
YORK
line 2523Break thou in pieces, and consume to ashes,
line 2524Thou foul accursèd minister of hell!
Enter Winchester, as Cardinal.
WINCHESTER
95line 2525Lord Regent, I do greet your Excellence
line 2526With letters of commission from the King.
line 2527For know, my lords, the states of Christendom,
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 221
line 2528Moved with remorse of these outrageous broils,
line 2529Have earnestly implored a general peace
100line 2530Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French;
line 2531And here at hand the Dauphin and his train
line 2532Approacheth to confer about some matter.
YORK
line 2533Is all our travail turned to this effect?
line 2534After the slaughter of so many peers,
105line 2535So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers
line 2536That in this quarrel have been overthrown
line 2537And sold their bodies for their country’s benefit,
line 2538Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace?
line 2539Have we not lost most part of all the towns—
110line 2540By treason, falsehood, and by treachery—
line 2541Our great progenitors had conquerèd?
line 2542O, Warwick, Warwick, I foresee with grief
line 2543The utter loss of all the realm of France!
WARWICK
line 2544Be patient, York; if we conclude a peace
115line 2545It shall be with such strict and severe covenants
line 2546As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.
Enter Charles, Alanson, Bastard, Reignier, with Attendants.
CHARLES
line 2547Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed
line 2548That peaceful truce shall be proclaimed in France,
line 2549We come to be informèd by yourselves
120line 2550What the conditions of that league must be.
YORK
line 2551Speak, Winchester, for boiling choler chokes
line 2552The hollow passage of my poisoned voice
line 2553By sight of these our baleful enemies.
WINCHESTER
line 2554Charles and the rest, it is enacted thus:
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 223
125line 2555That, in regard King Henry gives consent,
line 2556Of mere compassion and of lenity,
line 2557To ease your country of distressful war
line 2558And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,
line 2559You shall become true liegemen to his crown.
130line 2560And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear
line 2561To pay him tribute and submit thyself,
line 2562Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him,
line 2563And still enjoy thy regal dignity.
ALANSON
line 2564Must he be then as shadow of himself—
135line 2565Adorn his temples with a coronet,
line 2566And yet, in substance and authority,
line 2567Retain but privilege of a private man?
line 2568This proffer is absurd and reasonless.
CHARLES
line 2569’Tis known already that I am possessed
140line 2570With more than half the Gallian territories,
line 2571And therein reverenced for their lawful king.
line 2572Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquished,
line 2573Detract so much from that prerogative
line 2574As to be called but viceroy of the whole?
145line 2575No, lord ambassador, I’ll rather keep
line 2576That which I have than, coveting for more,
line 2577Be cast from possibility of all.
YORK
line 2578Insulting Charles, hast thou by secret means
line 2579Used intercession to obtain a league
150line 2580And, now the matter grows to compromise,
line 2581Stand’st thou aloof upon comparison?
line 2582Either accept the title thou usurp’st,
line 2583Of benefit proceeding from our king
line 2584And not of any challenge of desert,
155line 2585Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.
REIGNIERaside to Charles
line 2586My lord, you do not well in obstinacy
Act 5 Scene 4 - Pg 225
line 2587To cavil in the course of this contract.
line 2588If once it be neglected, ten to one
line 2589We shall not find like opportunity.
ALANSONaside to Charles
160line 2590To say the truth, it is your policy
line 2591To save your subjects from such massacre
line 2592And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen
line 2593By our proceeding in hostility;
line 2594And therefore take this compact of a truce
165line 2595Although you break it when your pleasure serves.
WARWICK
line 2596How say’st thou, Charles? Shall our condition stand?
CHARLES
line 2597It shall—only reserved you claim no interest
line 2598In any of our towns of garrison.
YORK
line 2599Then swear allegiance to his Majesty,
170line 2600As thou art knight, never to disobey
line 2601Nor be rebellious to the crown of England,
line 2602Thou nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.
Charles, Alanson, Bastard, and Reignier swear allegiance to Henry.
line 2603So, now dismiss your army when you please;
line 2604Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still,
175line 2605For here we entertain a solemn peace.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter Suffolk in conference with the King, Gloucester, and Exeter, with Attendants.
KING HENRY
line 2606Your wondrous rare description, noble earl,
line 2607Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 227
line 2608Her virtues gracèd with external gifts
line 2609Do breed love’s settled passions in my heart,
5line 2610And like as rigor of tempestuous gusts
line 2611Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,
line 2612So am I driven by breath of her renown
line 2613Either to suffer shipwrack, or arrive
line 2614Where I may have fruition of her love.
SUFFOLK
10line 2615Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale
line 2616Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
line 2617The chief perfections of that lovely dame,
line 2618Had I sufficient skill to utter them,
line 2619Would make a volume of enticing lines
15line 2620Able to ravish any dull conceit;
line 2621And, which is more, she is not so divine,
line 2622So full replete with choice of all delights,
line 2623But with as humble lowliness of mind
line 2624She is content to be at your command—
20line 2625Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents—
line 2626To love and honor Henry as her lord.
KING HENRY
line 2627And otherwise will Henry ne’er presume.—
line 2628Therefore, my Lord Protector, give consent
line 2629That Margaret may be England’s royal queen.
GLOUCESTER
25line 2630So should I give consent to flatter sin.
line 2631You know, my lord, your Highness is betrothed
line 2632Unto another lady of esteem.
line 2633How shall we then dispense with that contract
line 2634And not deface your honor with reproach?
SUFFOLK
30line 2635As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths;
line 2636Or one that, at a triumph having vowed
line 2637To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists
line 2638By reason of his adversary’s odds.
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 229
line 2639A poor earl’s daughter is unequal odds,
35line 2640And therefore may be broke without offense.
GLOUCESTER
line 2641Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that?
line 2642Her father is no better than an earl,
line 2643Although in glorious titles he excel.
SUFFOLK
line 2644Yes, my lord, her father is a king,
40line 2645The King of Naples and Jerusalem,
line 2646And of such great authority in France
line 2647As his alliance will confirm our peace,
line 2648And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.
GLOUCESTER
line 2649And so the Earl of Armagnac may do,
45line 2650Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.
EXETER
line 2651Besides, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,
line 2652Where Reignier sooner will receive than give.
SUFFOLK
line 2653A dower, my lords? Disgrace not so your king
line 2654That he should be so abject, base, and poor,
50line 2655To choose for wealth and not for perfect love.
line 2656Henry is able to enrich his queen,
line 2657And not to seek a queen to make him rich;
line 2658So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
line 2659As market men for oxen, sheep, or horse.
55line 2660Marriage is a matter of more worth
line 2661Than to be dealt in by attorneyship.
line 2662Not whom we will, but whom his Grace affects,
line 2663Must be companion of his nuptial bed.
line 2664And therefore, lords, since he affects her most,
60line 2665Most of all these reasons bindeth us
line 2666In our opinions she should be preferred.
line 2667For what is wedlock forcèd but a hell,
line 2668An age of discord and continual strife?
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 231
line 2669Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss
65line 2670And is a pattern of celestial peace.
line 2671Whom should we match with Henry, being a king,
line 2672But Margaret, that is daughter to a king?
line 2673Her peerless feature, joinèd with her birth,
line 2674Approves her fit for none but for a king.
70line 2675Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit,
line 2676More than in women commonly is seen,
line 2677Will answer our hope in issue of a king.
line 2678For Henry, son unto a conqueror,
line 2679Is likely to beget more conquerors,
75line 2680If with a lady of so high resolve
line 2681As is fair Margaret he be linked in love.
line 2682Then yield, my lords, and here conclude with me
line 2683That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she.
KING HENRY
line 2684Whether it be through force of your report,
80line 2685My noble Lord of Suffolk, or for that
line 2686My tender youth was never yet attaint
line 2687With any passion of inflaming love,
line 2688I cannot tell; but this I am assured:
line 2689I feel such sharp dissension in my breast,
85line 2690Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear,
line 2691As I am sick with working of my thoughts.
line 2692Take therefore shipping; post, my lord, to France;
line 2693Agree to any covenants, and procure
line 2694That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come
90line 2695To cross the seas to England and be crowned
line 2696King Henry’s faithful and anointed queen.
line 2697For your expenses and sufficient charge,
line 2698Among the people gather up a tenth.
line 2699Be gone, I say, for till you do return,
95line 2700I rest perplexèd with a thousand cares.—
line 2701And you, good uncle, banish all offense.
line 2702If you do censure me by what you were,
Act 5 Scene 5 - Pg 233
line 2703Not what you are, I know it will excuse
line 2704This sudden execution of my will.
100line 2705And so conduct me where, from company,
line 2706I may revolve and ruminate my grief.
He exits with Attendants.
GLOUCESTER
line 2707Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last.
Gloucester exits with Exeter.
SUFFOLK
line 2708Thus Suffolk hath prevailed, and thus he goes
line 2709As did the youthful Paris once to Greece,
105line 2710With hope to find the like event in love,
line 2711But prosper better than the Trojan did.
line 2712Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the King,
line 2713But I will rule both her, the King, and realm.
He exits.
