Mar. To be a queen in bondage, is more vile Than is a slave in base servility; For princes should be free. Suff. And so shall you, If happy England's royal king be free. Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? Suff. His love. Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. Suff. Then call our captains, and our colours forth: And, madam, at your father's castle walls We'll crave a parley, to confer with him. [Troops come forward. A Parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER, on the walls. Suff. See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner. Reig. To whom? Suff. To me. Reig. Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier; and unapt to weep, Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness. Suff. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign. [Exit, from the walls. Trumpets sounded. Enter REIGNIER, below. What answer makes your grace unto my suit? Reig. Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth, To be the princely bride of such a lord; Upon condition I may quietly Enjoy mine own, the county Maine, and Anjou, *Play the hypocrite. Free from oppression, or the stroke of war, Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith." Suff. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Because this is in traffic of a king: And yet, methinks, I could be well content To be mine own attorney in this case. [Aside. I'll over then to England with this news, And make this marriage to be solemnized; So, farewell, Reignier! Set this diamond safe Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. Mar. Farewell, my lord! Good wishes, praise, and prayers, Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. No princely commendations to my king? [Going. Suff. Farewell, sweet madam! But hark you, Margaret; Suff. Words sweetly placed and modestly directed. Mar. Such commendations as become a maid, A virgin, and his servant, say to him. But, madam, I must trouble you again, No loving token to his majesty? Mar. Yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted heart, Never yet taint with love, I send the king. Suff. And this withal. Mar. That for thyself;-I will not so presume, To send such peevish* tokens to a king. [Kisses her. [Exeunt REIGNIER and MARGARET. Suff. O, wert thou for myself!-But, Suffolk, stay; [Exit. 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, And, now it is my chance to find thee out, Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee! I am descended of a gentler blood; Thou art no father, nor no friend, of mine. Shep. Out, out!-My lords, an please you, 'tis not so; I did beget her, all the parish knows : Her mother liveth yet, can testify, She was the first fruit of my bachelorship. War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? York. This argues what her kind of life hath been; Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes. Shep. Fie, Joan! that thou wilt be so obstacle!‡ God knows, thou art a collop of my flesh; And for thy sake have I shed many a tear: Deny me not, I pr'ythee, gentle Joan. 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, Thy mother gave thee, when thou suck'dst her breast, Or else when thou didst keep my lambs a-field, I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee! Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab? O, burn her, burn her; hanging is too good. York. Take her away; for she hath lived too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities. Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have condemn'd: Chaste and immaculate in every thought; * Untimely. + Miserable creature. [Exit. York. Ay, ay;-away with her to execution. War. And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid, That so her torture may be shortened. Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts ?— Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity; That warranteth by law to be thy privilege. I am with child, ye bloody homicides: Murder not then the fruit within my womb, Although ye hale me to a violent death. York. Now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child? Is all your strict preciseness come to this? York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling: I did imagine what would be her refuge. War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards live; Especially, since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceived; my child is none of his; It was Alençon, that enjoy'd my love. York. Alençon, that notorious Machiavel! It dies, an if it had a thousand lives. Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you; 'Twas neither Charles, nor yet the duke I named, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd. War. A married man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think, she knows not well, There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It's sign, she hath been liberal and free. Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee: Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. Puc. Then lead me hence ;-with whom I leave my curse: May never glorious sun reflex his beams Upon the country where you make abode! But darkness and the gloomy shade of death Drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves! [Exit, guarded. York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to ashes, Thou foul accursed minister of hell! Enter CARDINAL BEAUFORT, attended. Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence * Compassion. York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers, War. Be patient, York: If we conclude a peace, As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby. Enter CHARLES, attended; ALENÇON, BASTARD, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my poison'd voice, By sight of these our baleful enemies. Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: That-in regard king Henry gives consent, Of mere compassion, and of lenity, To ease your country of distressful war, Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself? Adorn his temples with a coronet: And yet, in substance and authority, Retain but privilege of a private man? Char. 'Tis known already that I am possess'd Be cast from possibility of all. York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league; And, now the matter grows to compromise, Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison? |