Act IV, Scene 4

Other plains in Gascony.

[Enter SOMERSET, with his army; a Captain of] [p]TALBOT's with him]

• Duke/Earl of Somerset. It is too late; I cannot send them now:
  This expedition was by York and Talbot
  Too rashly plotted: all our general force
  Might with a sally of the very town
  Be buckled with: the over-daring Talbot 2090
  Hath sullied all his gloss of former honour
  By this unheedful, desperate, wild adventure:
  York set him on to fight and die in shame,
  That, Talbot dead, great York might bear the name.

• Captain. Here is Sir William Lucy, who with me 2095
  Set from our o'ermatch'd forces forth for aid.

[Enter Sir William LUCY]

• Duke/Earl of Somerset. How now, Sir William! whither were you sent?

• Sir William Lucy. Whither, my lord? from bought and sold Lord Talbot;
  Who, ring'd about with bold adversity, 2100
  Cries out for noble York and Somerset,
  To beat assailing death from his weak legions:
  And whiles the honourable captain there
  Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs,
  And, in advantage lingering, looks for rescue, 2105
  You, his false hopes, the trust of England's honour,
  Keep off aloof with worthless emulation.
  Let not your private discord keep away
  The levied succors that should lend him aid,
  While he, renowned noble gentleman, 2110
  Yields up his life unto a world of odds:
  Orleans the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy,
  Alencon, Reignier, compass him about,
  And Talbot perisheth by your default.

• Duke/Earl of Somerset. York set him on; York should have sent him aid. 2115

• Sir William Lucy. And York as fast upon your grace exclaims;
  Swearing that you withhold his levied host,
  Collected for this expedition.

• Duke/Earl of Somerset. York lies; he might have sent and had the horse;
  I owe him little duty, and less love; 2120
  And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending.

• Sir William Lucy. The fraud of England, not the force of France,
  Hath now entrapp'd the noble-minded Talbot:
  Never to England shall he bear his life;
  But dies, betray'd to fortune by your strife. 2125

• Duke/Earl of Somerset. Come, go; I will dispatch the horsemen straight:
  Within six hours they will be at his aid.

• Sir William Lucy. Too late comes rescue: he is ta'en or slain;
  For fly he could not, if he would have fled;
  And fly would Talbot never, though he might. 2130

• Duke/Earl of Somerset. If he be dead, brave Talbot, then adieu!

• Sir William Lucy. His fame lives in the world, his shame in you.

[Exeunt]