And then I will proclaim young Henry king. Exe. To Eltham will I, where the young king is, Being ordain'd his special governor; And for his safety there I'll best devise. Win. Each hath his place and function to attend : I am left out; for me nothing remains. And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. [Exit. [Exit. [Exit. Scene closes. SCENE II. France. Before Orleans. Enter CHARLES, with his forces; ALENÇON, REIGNIER, and others. So in the earth, to this day is not known: Alen. They want their porridge and their fat bull-beeves: Either they must be dieted like mules, And have their provender tied to their mouths, Or piteous they will look, like drownèd mice. Reig. Let's raise the siege: why live we idly here? Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear: Remaineth none but mad-brain'd Salisbury; And he may well in fretting spend his gall,— Nor men nor money hath he to make war. Char. Sound, sound alarum! we will rush on them. Now for the honour of the forlorn French! Him I forgive my death, that killeth me, [Exeunt. Alarums; excursions; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter CHARLES, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Who ever saw the like? what men have I!Dogs! cowards! dastards!-I would ne'er have fled, But that they left me midst my enemies. Reig. Salisbury is a desperate homicide; He fighteth as one weary of his life. Do rush upon us as their hungry prey. Alen. Froissart, a countryman of ours, records, It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Lean raw-bon'd rascals! who would e'er suppose They had such courage and audacity? Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hare-brain'd slaves, And hunger will enforce them to (1) be more eager : Of old I know them; rather with their teeth The walls they'll tear down, than forsake the siege. Reig. I think, by some odd gimmers or device, Enter the Bastard of Orleans. Bast. Where's the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him. Bast. Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appall'd: Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence? 'Be not dismay'd, for succour is at hand: A holy maid hither with me I bring, Which, by a vision sent to her from heaven, Ordained is to raise this tedious siege, And drive the English forth the bounds of France. Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome: What's past and what's to come she can descry. For they are certain and unfallible. Char. Go, call her in. [Exit Bastard.] But first, to try her skill, Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place : Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern: By this means shall we sound what skill she hath. [Retires. Re-enter the Bastard of Orleans, with LA PUCELLE. Reig. Fair maid, is't thou wilt do these wondrous feats? Be not amaz'd, there's nothing hid from me: Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. Reig. She takes upon her bravely at first dash. Puc. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter, My wit untrain'd in any kind of art. Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleas'd Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks, And, in a vision full of majesty, And I will answer unpremeditated: My courage try by combat, if thou dar'st, If thou receive me for thy warlike mate. Char. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms: In single combat thou shalt buckle with me; Puc. I am prepar'd: here is my keen-edg'd sword, Char. Then come, o' God's name; I fear no woman. [They fight. Char. Stay, stay thy hands! thou art an Amazon, Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too weak. Impatiently I burn with thy desire; My heart and hands thou hast at once subdu'd. Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so, Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be: Puc. I must not yield to any rites of love, Char. Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Reig. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean? Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do know: These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. Reig. My lord, where are you? what devise you on? Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Puc. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard. Char. What she says, I'll confirm: we'll fight it out. Puc. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge. Expect Saint Martin's summer, halcyon days, Glory is like a circle in the water, Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to naught. Now am I like that proud insulting ship Char. Was Mahomet inspired with a dove? Alen. Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege. Reig. Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours; Drive them from Orleans, and be immortaliz'd. Char. Presently we'll try :-come, let's away about it :No prophet will I trust, if she prove false. [Exeunt. SCENE III. London. Before the gates of the Tower. Enter the Duke of GLOSTER, with his Serving-men in Glo. I am come to survey the Tower this day: [Servants knock. First Warder [within]. Who's there that knocks so imperiously? First Serv. It is the noble Duke of Gloster. Second Warder [within]. Whoe'er he be, you may not be let in. |