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And simple truth miscall'd simplicity,
And captive good attending captain ill.

      — Sonnet LXVI

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History of Henry VI, Part I

Act I

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Scene 1. Westminster Abbey.

Scene 2. France. Before Orleans.

Scene 3. London. Before the Tower.

Scene 4. Orleans.

Scene 5. The same.

Scene 6. The same.

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Act I, Scene 1

Westminster Abbey.

      next scene .
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[Dead March. Enter the Funeral of KING HENRY the] [p]Fifth, attended on by Dukes of BEDFORD, Regent of [p]France; GLOUCESTER, Protector; and EXETER, Earl of [p]WARWICK, the BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, Heralds, &c]

  • Duke of Bedford. Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night! 5
    Comets, importing change of times and states,
    Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky,
    And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
    That have consented unto Henry's death!
    King Henry the Fifth, too famous to live long! 10
    England ne'er lost a king of so much worth.
  • Duke of Gloucester. England ne'er had a king until his time.
    Virtue he had, deserving to command:
    His brandish'd sword did blind men with his beams:
    His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings; 15
    His sparking eyes, replete with wrathful fire,
    More dazzled and drove back his enemies
    Than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces.
    What should I say? his deeds exceed all speech:
    He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered. 20
  • Duke of Exeter. We mourn in black: why mourn we not in blood?
    Henry is dead and never shall revive:
    Upon a wooden coffin we attend,
    And death's dishonourable victory
    We with our stately presence glorify, 25
    Like captives bound to a triumphant car.
    What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
    That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?
    Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
    Conjurers and sorcerers, that afraid of him 30
    By magic verses have contrived his end?
  • Winchester. He was a king bless'd of the King of kings.
    Unto the French the dreadful judgement-day
    So dreadful will not be as was his sight.
    The battles of the Lord of hosts he fought: 35
    The church's prayers made him so prosperous.
  • Duke of Gloucester. The church! where is it? Had not churchmen pray'd,
    His thread of life had not so soon decay'd:
    None do you like but an effeminate prince,
    Whom, like a school-boy, you may over-awe. 40
  • Winchester. Gloucester, whate'er we like, thou art protector
    And lookest to command the prince and realm.
    Thy wife is proud; she holdeth thee in awe,
    More than God or religious churchmen may.
  • Duke of Gloucester. Name not religion, for thou lovest the flesh, 45
    And ne'er throughout the year to church thou go'st
    Except it be to pray against thy foes.
  • Duke of Bedford. Cease, cease these jars and rest your minds in peace:
    Let's to the altar: heralds, wait on us:
    Instead of gold, we'll offer up our arms: 50
    Since arms avail not now that Henry's dead.
    Posterity, await for wretched years,
    When at their mothers' moist eyes babes shall suck,
    Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears,
    And none but women left to wail the dead. 55
    Henry the Fifth, thy ghost I invocate:
    Prosper this realm, keep it from civil broils,
    Combat with adverse planets in the heavens!
    A far more glorious star thy soul will make
    Than Julius Caesar or bright— 60

[Enter a Messenger]

  • Messenger. My honourable lords, health to you all!
    Sad tidings bring I to you out of France,
    Of loss, of slaughter and discomfiture:
    Guienne, Champagne, Rheims, Orleans, 65
    Paris, Guysors, Poictiers, are all quite lost.
  • Duke of Bedford. What say'st thou, man, before dead Henry's corse?
    Speak softly, or the loss of those great towns
    Will make him burst his lead and rise from death.
  • Duke of Gloucester. Is Paris lost? is Rouen yielded up? 70
    If Henry were recall'd to life again,
    These news would cause him once more yield the ghost.
  • Messenger. No treachery; but want of men and money.
    Amongst the soldiers this is muttered, 75
    That here you maintain several factions,
    And whilst a field should be dispatch'd and fought,
    You are disputing of your generals:
    One would have lingering wars with little cost;
    Another would fly swift, but wanteth wings; 80
    A third thinks, without expense at all,
    By guileful fair words peace may be obtain'd.
    Awake, awake, English nobility!
    Let not sloth dim your horrors new-begot:
    Cropp'd are the flower-de-luces in your arms; 85
    Of England's coat one half is cut away.
  • Duke of Exeter. Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
    These tidings would call forth their flowing tides.
  • Duke of Bedford. Me they concern; Regent I am of France.
    Give me my steeled coat. I'll fight for France. 90
    Away with these disgraceful wailing robes!
    Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes,
    To weep their intermissive miseries.

[Enter to them another Messenger]

  • Messenger. Lords, view these letters full of bad mischance. 95
    France is revolted from the English quite,
    Except some petty towns of no import:
    The Dauphin Charles is crowned king of Rheims;
    The Bastard of Orleans with him is join'd;
    Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part; 100
    The Duke of Alencon flieth to his side.
  • Duke of Exeter. The Dauphin crowned king! all fly to him!
    O, whither shall we fly from this reproach?
  • Duke of Gloucester. We will not fly, but to our enemies' throats.
    Bedford, if thou be slack, I'll fight it out. 105
  • Duke of Bedford. Gloucester, why doubt'st thou of my forwardness?
    An army have I muster'd in my thoughts,
    Wherewith already France is overrun.

[Enter another Messenger]

  • Messenger. My gracious lords, to add to your laments, 110
    Wherewith you now bedew King Henry's hearse,
    I must inform you of a dismal fight
    Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French.
  • Winchester. What! wherein Talbot overcame? is't so?
  • Messenger. O, no; wherein Lord Talbot was o'erthrown: 115
    The circumstance I'll tell you more at large.
    The tenth of August last this dreadful lord,
    Retiring from the siege of Orleans,
    Having full scarce six thousand in his troop.
    By three and twenty thousand of the French 120
    Was round encompassed and set upon.
    No leisure had he to enrank his men;
    He wanted pikes to set before his archers;
    Instead whereof sharp stakes pluck'd out of hedges
    They pitched in the ground confusedly, 125
    To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.
    More than three hours the fight continued;
    Where valiant Talbot above human thought
    Enacted wonders with his sword and lance:
    Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him; 130
    Here, there, and every where, enraged he flew:
    The French exclaim'd, the devil was in arms;
    All the whole army stood agazed on him:
    His soldiers spying his undaunted spirit
    A Talbot! a Talbot! cried out amain 135
    And rush'd into the bowels of the battle.
    Here had the conquest fully been seal'd up,
    If Sir John Fastolfe had not play'd the coward:
    He, being in the vaward, placed behind
    With purpose to relieve and follow them, 140
    Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
    Hence grew the general wreck and massacre;
    Enclosed were they with their enemies:
    A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin's grace,
    Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back, 145
    Whom all France with their chief assembled strength
    Durst not presume to look once in the face.
  • Duke of Bedford. Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself,
    For living idly here in pomp and ease,
    Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid, 150
    Unto his dastard foemen is betray'd.
  • Messenger. O no, he lives; but is took prisoner,
    And Lord Scales with him and Lord Hungerford:
    Most of the rest slaughter'd or took likewise.
  • Duke of Bedford. His ransom there is none but I shall pay: 155
    I'll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne:
    His crown shall be the ransom of my friend;
    Four of their lords I'll change for one of ours.
    Farewell, my masters; to my task will I;
    Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make, 160
    To keep our great Saint George's feast withal:
    Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take,
    Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake.
  • Messenger. So you had need; for Orleans is besieged;
    The English army is grown weak and faint: 165
    The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply,
    And hardly keeps his men from mutiny,
    Since they, so few, watch such a multitude.
  • Duke of Exeter. Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn,
    Either to quell the Dauphin utterly, 170
    Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.
  • Duke of Bedford. I do remember it; and here take my leave,
    To go about my preparation.

[Exit]

  • Duke of Gloucester. I'll to the Tower with all the haste I can, 175
    To view the artillery and munition;
    And then I will proclaim young Henry king.

[Exit]

  • Duke of Exeter. To Eltham will I, where the young king is,
    Being ordain'd his special governor, 180
    And for his safety there I'll best devise.

[Exit]

  • Winchester. Each hath his place and function to attend:
    I am left out; for me nothing remains.
    But long I will not be Jack out of office: 185
    The king from Eltham I intend to steal
    And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.

[Exeunt]

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Act I, Scene 2

France. Before Orleans.

      next scene .
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[Sound a flourish. Enter CHARLES, ALENCON, and] [p]REIGNIER, marching with drum and Soldiers]

  • Charles, King of France. Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens
    So in the earth, to this day is not known:
    Late did he shine upon the English side;
    Now we are victors; upon us he smiles.
    What towns of any moment but we have? 195
    At pleasure here we lie near Orleans;
    Otherwhiles the famish'd English, like pale ghosts,
    Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.
  • Duke of Alencon. They want their porridge and their fat bull-beeves:
    Either they must be dieted like mules 200
    And have their provender tied to their mouths
    Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.
  • Reignier. 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; 205
    And he may well in fretting spend his gall,
    Nor men nor money hath he to make war.
  • Charles, King of France. Sound, sound alarum! we will rush on them.
    Now for the honour of the forlorn French!
    Him I forgive my death that killeth me 210
    When he sees me go back one foot or fly.
    [Exeunt]
    [Here alarum; they are beaten back by the English]
    with great loss. Re-enter CHARLES, ALENCON, and REIGNIER]
  • Charles, King of France. Who ever saw the like? what men have I! 215
    Dogs! cowards! dastards! I would ne'er have fled,
    But that they left me 'midst my enemies.
  • Reignier. Salisbury is a desperate homicide;
    He fighteth as one weary of his life.
    The other lords, like lions wanting food, 220
    Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.
  • Duke of Alencon. Froissart, a countryman of ours, records,
    England all Olivers and Rowlands bred,
    During the time Edward the Third did reign.
    More truly now may this be verified; 225
    For none but Samsons and Goliases
    It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten!
    Lean, raw-boned rascals! who would e'er suppose
    They had such courage and audacity?
  • Charles, King of France. Let's leave this town; for they are hare-brain'd slaves, 230
    And hunger will enforce them to be more eager:
    Of old I know them; rather with their teeth
    The walls they'll tear down than forsake the siege.
  • Reignier. I think, by some odd gimmors or device
    Their arms are set like clocks, stiff to strike on; 235
    Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do.
    By my consent, we'll even let them alone.

[Enter the BASTARD OF ORLEANS]

  • Bastard of Orleans. Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appall'd:
    Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?
    Be not dismay'd, for succor is at hand:
    A holy maid hither with me I bring, 245
    Which by a vision sent to her from heaven
    Ordained is to raise this tedious siege
    And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
    The spirit of deep prophecy she hath,
    Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome: 250
    What's past and what's to come she can descry.
    Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words,
    For they are certain and unfallible.
  • Charles, King of France. Go, call her in.
    [Exit BASTARD OF ORLEANS] 255
    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.

[Re-enter the BASTARD OF ORLEANS, with JOAN LA PUCELLE]

  • Reignier. Fair maid, is't thou wilt do these wondrous feats?
  • Joan la Pucelle. Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to beguile me?
    Where is the Dauphin? Come, come from behind;
    I know thee well, though never seen before.
    Be not amazed, there's nothing hid from me: 265
    In private will I talk with thee apart.
    Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile.
  • Reignier. She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
  • Joan la Pucelle. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter,
    My wit untrain'd in any kind of art. 270
    Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
    To shine on my contemptible estate:
    Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs,
    And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks,
    God's mother deigned to appear to me 275
    And in a vision full of majesty
    Will'd me to leave my base vocation
    And free my country from calamity:
    Her aid she promised and assured success:
    In complete glory she reveal'd herself; 280
    And, whereas I was black and swart before,
    With those clear rays which she infused on me
    That beauty am I bless'd with which you see.
    Ask me what question thou canst possible,
    And I will answer unpremeditated: 285
    My courage try by combat, if thou darest,
    And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
    Resolve on this, thou shalt be fortunate,
    If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
  • Charles, King of France. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms: 290
    Only this proof I'll of thy valour make,
    In single combat thou shalt buckle with me,
    And if thou vanquishest, thy words are true;
    Otherwise I renounce all confidence.
  • Joan la Pucelle. I am prepared: here is my keen-edged sword, 295
    Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side;
    The which at Touraine, in Saint Katharine's
    churchyard,
    Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth.

[Here they fight, and JOAN LA PUCELLE overcomes]

  • Charles, King of France. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must help me:
    Impatiently I burn with thy desire;
    My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.
    Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so,
    Let me thy servant and not sovereign be: 310
    'Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus.
  • Joan la Pucelle. I must not yield to any rites of love,
    For my profession's sacred from above:
    When I have chased all thy foes from hence,
    Then will I think upon a recompense. 315
  • Reignier. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.
  • Duke of Alencon. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock;
    Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.
  • Reignier. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean? 320
  • Duke of Alencon. He may mean more than we poor men do know:
    These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.
  • Reignier. My lord, where are you? what devise you on?
    Shall we give over Orleans, or no?
  • Joan la Pucelle. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! 325
    Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard.
  • Joan la Pucelle. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge.
    This night the siege assuredly I'll raise:
    Expect Saint Martin's summer, halcyon days, 330
    Since I have entered into these wars.
    Glory is like a circle in the water,
    Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself
    Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought.
    With Henry's death the English circle ends; 335
    Dispersed are the glories it included.
    Now am I like that proud insulting ship
    Which Caesar and his fortune bare at once.
  • Charles, King of France. Was Mahomet inspired with a dove?
    Thou with an eagle art inspired then. 340
    Helen, the mother of great Constantine,
    Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters, were like thee.
    Bright star of Venus, fall'n down on the earth,
    How may I reverently worship thee enough?
  • Reignier. Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours;
    Drive them from Orleans and be immortalized.
  • Charles, King of France. Presently we'll try: come, let's away about it:
    No prophet will I trust, if she prove false.

[Exeunt]

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. previous scene      

Act I, Scene 3

London. Before the Tower.

      next scene .
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[Enter GLOUCESTER, with his Serving-men in blue coats]

  • Duke of Gloucester. I am come to survey the Tower this day:
    Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance.
    Where be these warders, that they wait not here?
    Open the gates; 'tis Gloucester that calls. 355
  • First Warder. [Within] Who's there that knocks so imperiously?
  • First Warder. [Within] The Lord protect him! so we answer him: 360
    We do no otherwise than we are will'd.
  • Duke of Gloucester. Who willed you? or whose will stands but mine?
    There's none protector of the realm but I.
    Break up the gates, I'll be your warrantize.
    Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms? 365
    [Gloucester's men rush at the Tower Gates, and]
    WOODVILE the Lieutenant speaks within]
  • Woodvile. What noise is this? what traitors have we here?
  • Duke of Gloucester. Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear?
    Open the gates; here's Gloucester that would enter. 370
  • Woodvile. Have patience, noble duke; I may not open;
    The Cardinal of Winchester forbids:
    From him I have express commandment
    That thou nor none of thine shall be let in.
  • Duke of Gloucester. Faint-hearted Woodvile, prizest him 'fore me? 375
    Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate,
    Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook?
    Thou art no friend to God or to the king:
    Open the gates, or I'll shut thee out shortly.
  • Serving-Men. Open the gates unto the lord protector, 380
    Or we'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.
    [Enter to the Protector at the Tower Gates BISHOP]
    OF WINCHESTER and his men in tawny coats]
  • Winchester. How now, ambitious Humphry! what means this?
  • Winchester. I do, thou most usurping proditor,
    And not protector, of the king or realm.
  • Duke of Gloucester. Stand back, thou manifest conspirator,
    Thou that contrivedst to murder our dead lord;
    Thou that givest whores indulgences to sin: 390
    I'll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal's hat,
    If thou proceed in this thy insolence.
  • Winchester. Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a foot:
    This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain,
    To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt. 395
  • Duke of Gloucester. I will not slay thee, but I'll drive thee back:
    Thy scarlet robes as a child's bearing-cloth
    I'll use to carry thee out of this place.
  • Winchester. Do what thou darest; I beard thee to thy face.
  • Duke of Gloucester. What! am I dared and bearded to my face? 400
    Draw, men, for all this privileged place;
    Blue coats to tawny coats. Priest, beware your beard,
    I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly:
    Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat:
    In spite of pope or dignities of church, 405
    Here by the cheeks I'll drag thee up and down.
  • Winchester. Gloucester, thou wilt answer this before the pope.
  • Duke of Gloucester. Winchester goose, I cry, a rope! a rope!
    Now beat them hence; why do you let them stay?
    Thee I'll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep's array. 410
    Out, tawny coats! out, scarlet hypocrite!
    [Here GLOUCESTER's men beat out BISHOP OF]
    WINCHESTER's men, and enter in the hurly-
    burly the Mayor of London and his Officers]
  • Lord Mayor of London. Fie, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates, 415
    Thus contumeliously should break the peace!
  • Duke of Gloucester. Peace, mayor! thou know'st little of my wrongs:
    Here's Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king,
    Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use.
  • Winchester. Here's Gloucester, a foe to citizens, 420
    One that still motions war and never peace,
    O'ercharging your free purses with large fines,
    That seeks to overthrow religion,
    Because he is protector of the realm,
    And would have armour here out of the Tower, 425
    To crown himself king and suppress the prince.

[Here they skirmish again]

  • Lord Mayor of London. Naught rests for me in this tumultuous strife
    But to make open proclamation: 430
    Come, officer; as loud as e'er thou canst,
    Cry.
  • Officer. All manner of men assembled here in arms this day
    against God's peace and the king's, we charge and
    command you, in his highness' name, to repair to 435
    your several dwelling-places; and not to wear,
    handle, or use any sword, weapon, or dagger,
    henceforward, upon pain of death.
  • Duke of Gloucester. Cardinal, I'll be no breaker of the law:
    But we shall meet, and break our minds at large. 440
  • Winchester. Gloucester, we will meet; to thy cost, be sure:
    Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work.
  • Lord Mayor of London. I'll call for clubs, if you will not away.
    This cardinal's more haughty than the devil.
  • Winchester. Abominable Gloucester, guard thy head;
    For I intend to have it ere long.
    [Exeunt, severally, GLOUCESTER and BISHOP OF]
    WINCHESTER with their Serving-men]
  • Lord Mayor of London. See the coast clear'd, and then we will depart. 450
    Good God, these nobles should such stomachs bear!
    I myself fight not once in forty year.

[Exeunt]

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Act I, Scene 4

Orleans.

      next scene .
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[Enter, on the walls, a Master Gunner and his Boy]

  • Master-Gunner. Sirrah, thou know'st how Orleans is besieged, 455
    And how the English have the suburbs won.
  • Boy. Father, I know; and oft have shot at them,
    Howe'er unfortunate I miss'd my aim.
  • Master-Gunner. But now thou shalt not. Be thou ruled by me:
    Chief master-gunner am I of this town; 460
    Something I must do to procure me grace.
    The prince's espials have informed me
    How the English, in the suburbs close intrench'd,
    Wont, through a secret grate of iron bars
    In yonder tower, to overpeer the city, 465
    And thence discover how with most advantage
    They may vex us with shot, or with assault.
    To intercept this inconvenience,
    A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have placed;
    And even these three days have I watch'd, 470
    If I could see them.
    Now do thou watch, for I can stay no longer.
    If thou spy'st any, run and bring me word;
    And thou shalt find me at the governor's.

[Exit]

  • Boy. Father, I warrant you; take you no care;
    I'll never trouble you, if I may spy them.
    [Exit]
    [Enter, on the turrets, SALISBURY and TALBOT,]
    GLANSDALE, GARGRAVE, and others] 480
  • Earl of Salisbury. Talbot, my life, my joy, again return'd!
    How wert thou handled being prisoner?
    Or by what means got'st thou to be released?
    Discourse, I prithee, on this turret's top.
  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner 485
    Call'd the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles;
    For him was I exchanged and ransomed.
    But with a baser man of arms by far
    Once in contempt they would have barter'd me:
    Which I, disdaining, scorn'd; and craved death, 490
    Rather than I would be so vile esteem'd.
    In fine, redeem'd I was as I desired.
    But, O! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart,
    Whom with my bare fists I would execute,
    If I now had him brought into my power. 495
  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts.
    In open market-place produced they me,
    To be a public spectacle to all:
    Here, said they, is the terror of the French, 500
    The scarecrow that affrights our children so.
    Then broke I from the officers that led me,
    And with my nails digg'd stones out of the ground,
    To hurl at the beholders of my shame:
    My grisly countenance made others fly; 505
    None durst come near for fear of sudden death.
    In iron walls they deem'd me not secure;
    So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread,
    That they supposed I could rend bars of steel,
    And spurn in pieces posts of adamant: 510
    Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had,
    That walked about me every minute-while;
    And if I did but stir out of my bed,
    Ready they were to shoot me to the heart.

[Enter the Boy with a linstock]

  • Earl of Salisbury. I grieve to hear what torments you endured,
    But we will be revenged sufficiently
    Now it is supper-time in Orleans:
    Here, through this grate, I count each one
    and view the Frenchmen how they fortify: 520
    Let us look in; the sight will much delight thee.
    Sir Thomas Gargrave, and Sir William Glansdale,
    Let me have your express opinions
    Where is best place to make our battery next.

[Here they shoot. SALISBURY and GARGRAVE fall]

  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. What chance is this that suddenly hath cross'd us?
    Speak, Salisbury; at least, if thou canst speak:
    How farest thou, mirror of all martial men?
    One of thy eyes and thy cheek's side struck off! 535
    Accursed tower! accursed fatal hand
    That hath contrived this woful tragedy!
    In thirteen battles Salisbury o'ercame;
    Henry the Fifth he first train'd to the wars;
    Whilst any trump did sound, or drum struck up, 540
    His sword did ne'er leave striking in the field.
    Yet livest thou, Salisbury? though thy speech doth fail,
    One eye thou hast, to look to heaven for grace:
    The sun with one eye vieweth all the world.
    Heaven, be thou gracious to none alive, 545
    If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands!
    Bear hence his body; I will help to bury it.
    Sir Thomas Gargrave, hast thou any life?
    Speak unto Talbot; nay, look up to him.
    Salisbury, cheer thy spirit with this comfort; 550
    Thou shalt not die whiles—
    He beckons with his hand and smiles on me.
    As who should say 'When I am dead and gone,
    Remember to avenge me on the French.'
    Plantagenet, I will; and like thee, Nero, 555
    Play on the lute, beholding the towns burn:
    Wretched shall France be only in my name.
    [Here an alarum, and it thunders and lightens]
    What stir is this? what tumult's in the heavens?
    Whence cometh this alarum and the noise? 560

[Enter a Messenger]

  • Messenger. My lord, my lord, the French have gathered head:
    The Dauphin, with one Joan la Pucelle join'd,
    A holy prophetess new risen up,
    Is come with a great power to raise the siege. 565

[Here SALISBURY lifteth himself up and groans]

  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. Hear, hear how dying Salisbury doth groan!
    It irks his heart he cannot be revenged.
    Frenchmen, I'll be a Salisbury to you:
    Pucelle or puzzel, dolphin or dogfish, 570
    Your hearts I'll stamp out with my horse's heels,
    And make a quagmire of your mingled brains.
    Convey me Salisbury into his tent,
    And then we'll try what these dastard Frenchmen dare.

[Alarum. Exeunt]

---
. previous scene      

Act I, Scene 5

The same.

      next scene .
---

[Here an alarum again: and TALBOT pursueth the] [p]DAUPHIN, and driveth him: then enter JOAN LA [p]PUCELLE, driving Englishmen before her, and exit [p]after them then re-enter TALBOT]

  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. Where is my strength, my valour, and my force? 580
    Our English troops retire, I cannot stay them:
    A woman clad in armour chaseth them.
    [Re-enter JOAN LA PUCELLE]
    Here, here she comes. I'll have a bout with thee;
    Devil or devil's dam, I'll conjure thee: 585
    Blood will I draw on thee, thou art a witch,
    And straightway give thy soul to him thou servest.

[Here they fight]

  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail? 590
    My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage
    And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder.
    But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet.

[They fight again]

  • Joan la Pucelle. Talbot, farewell; thy hour is not yet come: 595
    I must go victual Orleans forthwith.
    [A short alarum; then enter the town with soldiers]
    O'ertake me, if thou canst; I scorn thy strength.
    Go, go, cheer up thy hungry-starved men;
    Help Salisbury to make his testament: 600
    This day is ours, as many more shall be.

[Exit]

  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel;
    I know not where I am, nor what I do;
    A witch, by fear, not force, like Hannibal, 605
    Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists:
    So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench
    Are from their hives and houses driven away.
    They call'd us for our fierceness English dogs;
    Now, like to whelps, we crying run away. 610
    [A short alarum]
    Hark, countrymen! either renew the fight,
    Or tear the lions out of England's coat;
    Renounce your soil, give sheep in lions' stead:
    Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf, 615
    Or horse or oxen from the leopard,
    As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves.
    [Alarum. Here another skirmish]
    It will not be: retire into your trenches:
    You all consented unto Salisbury's death, 620
    For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.
    Pucelle is enter'd into Orleans,
    In spite of us or aught that we could do.
    O, would I were to die with Salisbury!
    The shame hereof will make me hide my head. 625

[Exit TALBOT. Alarum; retreat; flourish]

---
. previous scene      

Act I, Scene 6

The same.

       
---

[Enter, on the walls, JOAN LA PUCELLE, CHARLES,] [p]REIGNIER, ALENCON, and Soldiers]

  • Joan la Pucelle. Advance our waving colours on the walls;
    Rescued is Orleans from the English 630
    Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word.
  • Charles, King of France. Divinest creature, Astraea's daughter,
    How shall I honour thee for this success?
    Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens
    That one day bloom'd and fruitful were the next. 635
    France, triumph in thy glorious prophetess!
    Recover'd is the town of Orleans:
    More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state.
  • Reignier. Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town?
    Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires 640
    And feast and banquet in the open streets,
    To celebrate the joy that God hath given us.
  • Duke of Alencon. All France will be replete with mirth and joy,
    When they shall hear how we have play'd the men.
  • Charles, King of France. 'Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won; 645
    For which I will divide my crown with her,
    And all the priests and friars in my realm
    Shall in procession sing her endless praise.
    A statelier pyramis to her I'll rear
    Than Rhodope's or Memphis' ever was: 650
    In memory of her when she is dead,
    Her ashes, in an urn more precious
    Than the rich-jewel'd of Darius,
    Transported shall be at high festivals
    Before the kings and queens of France. 655
    No longer on Saint Denis will we cry,
    But Joan la Pucelle shall be France's saint.
    Come in, and let us banquet royally,
    After this golden day of victory.

[Flourish. Exeunt]