[SCENE IV. Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou.] Enter YORK, WARWICK [and others]. York. Bring forth that sorceress condemn'd to burn. (Enter LA PUCELLE, guarded, and a SHEPHERD.] Shep. Ah, Joan, this kills thy father's heart outright! Have I sought every country far and near, Puc. Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch! 't is not so. I did beget her, all the parish knows. 5 10 God knows thou art a collop of my flesh, And for thy sake have I shed many a tear. Deny me not, I prithee, gentle Joan. 20 Puc. Peasant, avaunt!- You have suborn'd this man, Of purpose to obscure my noble birth. Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest The morn that I was wedded to her mother. 24 Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl. Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time Of thy nativity! I would the milk Thy mother gave thee when thou suck'dst her breast, Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake! a-field, I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee! 30 [Exit. 40 45 Not me begotten of a shepherd swain, Spare for no faggots, let there be enow. 50 Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts ? Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity, 65 War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought! Is all your strict preciseness come to this? 95 Car. Lord Regent, I do greet your excellence With letters of commission from the King. For know, my lords, the states of Christendom, Mov'd with remorse of these outrageous broils, Have earnestly implor'd a general peace Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French; And here at hand the Dauphin and his train 100 Approacheth, to confer about some matter. York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? After the slaughter of so many peers, So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers, That in this quarrel have been overthrown And sold their bodies for their country's bene fit, 105 1060 Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy To save your subjects from such massacre And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen By our proceeding in hostility; And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure serves. War. How say'st thou, Charles? Shall our condition stand? Char. It shall; Only reserv'd, you claim no interest In any of our towns of garrison. 100 Suf. Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise. And, which is more, she is not so divine, 10 15 21 King. And otherwise will Henry ne'er pre sume. Therefore, my Lord Protector, give consent How shall we then dispense with that contract, A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds, Her father is no better than an earl, Suf. Yes, my lord, her father is a king, 40 Glou. And so the Earl of Armagnac may do, Because he is near kinsman unto Charles. 45 Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower, Where Reignier sooner will receive than give. Suf. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king, 55 60 That he should be so abject, base, and poor, Is likely to beget more conquerors, If with a lady of so high resolve 65 70 75 As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love. I feel such sharp dissension in my breast, 95 Agree to any covenants, and procure 100 Exit. 105 [Exit. Lords, Ladies, and Attendants, Petitioners, Aldermen, a Herald, a Beadle, Sheriff, and Officers, Citizens, Apprentices, Falconers, Guards, Soldiers, Messengers, etc. King. Uncle of Winchester, I pray, read on. 56 Car. [Reads.] Item, It is further agreed between them, that the duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to the King her father, and she sent over of the King of England's own proper cost and charges, without having any dowry.' 62 King. They please us well. Lord marquess, kneel down. We here create thee the first Duke of Suffolk, Be full expir'd. Thanks, uncle Winchester, We thank you all for this great favour done 70 [Exeunt King, Queen, and Suffolk. Glou. Brave peers of England, pillars of the state, 75 Defacing monuments of conquer'd France, Undoing all, as all had never been! Car. Nephew, what means this passionate discourse, 105 This peroration with such circumstance? Suffolk, the new-made duke that rules the roast, 110 Hath given the duchy of Anjou and Maine Unto the poor King Reignier, whose large style Agrees not with the leanness of his purse. Sal. Now, by the death of Him that died for all, These counties were the keys of Normandy. But wherefore weeps Warwick, my valiant son? 115 War. For grief that they are past recovery; For, were there hope to conquer them again, My sword should shed hot blood, mine eyes no tears. Anjou and Maine! myself did win them both. Those provinces these arms of mine did con That dims the honour of this warlike isle! And our King Henry gives away his own, 130 Glou. A proper jest, and never heard before, That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth For costs and charges in transporting her! She should have stay'd in France and starv'd in France, Before 135 Car. My Lord of Gloucester, now ye grow too hot. It was the pleasure of my lord the King. Glou. My Lord of Winchester, I know your mind. 140 "Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, 146 [Exit. Car. So, there goes our Protector in a rage. 'Tis known to you he is mine enemy, Nay, more, an enemy unto you all, And no great friend, I fear me, to the King, 1sc Consider, lords, he is the next of blood, And heir apparent to the English crown. Had Henry got an empire by his marriage, And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west, There's reason he should be displeas'd at it. 158 Look to it, lords! Let not his smoothing words |