Act I. Refcu'd is Orleans from the English wolves:Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word. Dau. Divineft creature, bright Aftræa's daughHow fhall I honour thee for this fuccefs? Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens, [ter, That one day bloom'd, and fruitful were the next.France, triumph in thy glorious prophetess !— Recover'd is the town of Orleans: More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state. Reig. Why ring not out the bells throughout the town? Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires, When they fhall hear how we have play'd the men. [Flourish. Exeunt. ACT ACT II. SCENE 1. Before Orleans. Enter a French Serjeant with two Centinels. SIRS, take your places, and be vigilant: (When others fleep upon their quiet beds) Conftrain'd to watch in darkness, rain, and cold. Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, and BURGUNDY, with fealing Ladders. Their Drums beating a dead March. Tal. Lord regent-and redoubted BurgundyBy whose approach, the regions of Artois, Walloon, and Picardy, are friends to us————— This happy night the Frenchmen are fecure, Having all day carous'd and banqueted: Embrace we then this opportunity; \ As fitting best to quittance their deceit, Contriv'd by art, and baleful forcery. Bed. Coward of France!-how much he wrongs Defpairing of his own arm's fortitude, [his fame, To join with witches, and the help of hell. Bur. Traitors have never other company.But what's that Pucelle, whom they term fo pure? Tal. Tal. A maid they fay. Bed. A maid! and be fo martial! Bur. Pray God, fhe prove not mafculine ere long If underneath the standard of the French, She carry armour, as the hath begun. Tal. Well, let them practise and converfe with fpirits: God is our fortrefs; in whofe conquering name, Let us refolve to fcale their finty bulwarks. Bed. Afcend, brave Talbot; we will follow thee. Tal. Not all together: better far, I guefs, That we do make our entrance feveral ways; That, if it chance the one of us do fail, The other yet may rise against their force. Bed. Agreed; I'll to yon corner. Bur. And I to this. Tal. And here will Talbot mount or make his grave. Now, Salisbury! for thee, and for the right [The English, fealing the Walls, cry, St George! A Talbot! Cent. [Within.] Arm, arm! the enemy doth make affault ! The French leap over the Walls in their Shirts. Enter feveral Ways, BASTARD, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready. Alen. How now, my lords? what, all unready fo? Baft. Unready? ay, and glad we fcap'd fo well, Reig. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake, and leave our beds, Hearing alarums at our chamber doors. Alen. Of all exploits, fince firft I follow'd arms, Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprize Baft. I think, this Talbot is a fiend of hell. Reig. If not of hell, the heavens, fure, favour him. Alen. Here cometh Charles; I marvel, how he fped. Enter CHARLES, and PUCELLE. Baft. Tut! holy Joan was his defenfive guard. Char. Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame? Didit thou at first, to flatter us withal, Make us partakers of a little gain, That now our lofs fhould be ten times fo much? Pucel. Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend? At all times will you have my power alike? Reig. And fo was mine, my lord. Char. And, for myself, moft part of all this night, Within her quarter, and mine own precinct, I was employ'd in paffing to and fro, About relieving of the centinels: Then how, or which way, fhould they first break in? Pucel. Queftion, my lords, no further of the cafe, How, How, or which way; 'tis fure, they found fome part Alarum. Enter a Soldier crying, a Talbot! a Talbot! they fly, leaving their Clothes behind. Sol. I'll be fo bold to take what they have left. The cry of Talbot ferves me for a fword; For I have loaden me with many spoils, Ufing no other weapon but his name. SCENE II. The fame. [Exit. Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, BURGUNDY, &c. Bed. The day begins to break, and night is fled, Whofe pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth. Here found retreat, and ceafe our hot pursuit. [Retreat. Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury; A tomb, wherein his corpfe fhall be interred; The treacherous manner of his mournful death, But |