Win. Stay, my lord legate: you shall first receive

The sum of money which I promised
Should be deliver'd to his holiness
For clothing me in these grave ornaments.
Leg. I will attend upon your lordship's lei-
[mit, I trow,
Win. [Aside] Now Winchester will not sub-
Or be inferior to the proudest peer. Iceive
Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well per-
That, neither in birth or for authority,

sure.

19

The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles,
A man of great authority in France,
Proffers his only daughter to your grace
In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.
King. Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are
young!

And fitter is my study and my books
Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet call the ambassadors; and, as you please,
So let them have their answers every one:
I shall be well content with any choice
Tends to God's glory and my country's weal.
Enter WINCHESTER in Cardinal's habit, a
Legate and two Ambassadors.

Exe. What! is my Lord of Winchester install'd,

And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?

Then I perceive that will be verified Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy,

30

[suits

40

'If once he come to be a cardinal,
He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.'
King. My lords ambassadors, your several
Have been consider'd and debated on.
Your purpose is both good and reasonable;
And therefore are we certainly resolved
To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.
Glou. And for the proffer of my lord
I have inform'd his highness so at large, [master,
As liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,
Her beauty and the value of her dower,
He doth intend she shall be England's queen.
King. In argument and proof of which con-
Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection. [tract,
And so, my ford protector, see them guarded
And safely brought to Dover: where inshipp'd
Commit them to the fortune of the sea.

your

50

[Exeunt all but Winchester and Legate.

65

I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee, Or sack this country with a mutiny. [Exeunt.

SCENE II. France. Plains in Anjou. Enter CHARLES, BURGUNDY, ALENÇON, BAStard, ReignIER, LA PUCELLE, and forces. Char. These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:

'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French.
Alen. Then march to Paris, royal Charles of
France,

And keep not back your powers in dalliance.
Puc. Peace be amongst them, if they turn to
Else, ruin combat with their palaces! [us;

Enter Scout.

Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
I'll lop a member off and give it you
In earnest of a further benefit,
So you do condescend to help me now.

20

[They hang their heads. No hope to have redress? My body shall Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit. They shake their heads. Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice Entreat you to your wonted furtherance? Then take my soul, my body, soul and all, Before that England give the French the foil. [They depart. See, they forsake me! Now the time is come That France must veil her lofty-plumed crest, And let her head fall into England's lap. My ancient incantations are too weak, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [Exit. Excursions. Re-enter LA PUCELLE fighting hand to hand with YORK: LA PUCELLE IS taken. The French fly.

York. Damsel of France, I think I have you fast:

30

Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms,
And try if they can gain your liberty.
A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace!
See, how the ugly wench doth bend her brows,
As if with Circe she would change my shape!
Puc. Changed to a worser shape thou canst
not be.
[man;
York. O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper
No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
Puc. A plaguing mischief light on Charles

and thee!

Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. [Gazes on her. O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly! For I will touch thee but with reverent hands; I kiss these fingers for eternal peace, And lay them gently on thy tender side. Who art thou? say, that I may honor thee. Mar. Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,

The King of Naples, whosoe'er thou art.

50

Suf. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd. Be not offended, nature's miracle, Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me: So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. Yet, if this servile usage once offend, Go and be free again as Suffolk's friend. [She is going. O, stay! I have no power to let her pass; My hand would free her, but my heart says no. As plays the sun upon the glassy streams,

65

pay?

Suf. She's beautiful, and therefore to be woo'd; She is a woman, therefore to be won.

Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom? yea, or no. Suf Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife; 80

Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? Mar. I were best to leave him, for he will not hear.

Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card.

Mar. He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.

Suf. And yet a dispensation may be had. Mar. And yet I would that you would

answer me.

91

Suf. I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: tush, that's a wooden thing! Mar. He talks of wood: it is some carpenter. Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms." But there remains a scruple in that too; For though her father be the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match.

Mar. Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure? Suf. It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much: Henry is youthful, and will quickly yield. Madam, I have a secret to reveal. Mar. What though I be inthrall'd? he seems a knight,

And will not any way dishonor me.

100

Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. Mar. Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French; And then I need not crave his courtesy.

See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner !
Reig. To whom?
Suf
Reig.

To me.

Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.

Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Consent, and for thy honor give consent, Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto; And this her easy-held imprisonment Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty. 140 Reig. Speaks Suffolk as he thinks? Suf Fair Margaret knows That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign. Reig. Upon thy princely warrant, I descend To give thee answer of thy just demand.

[Exit from the walls. Suf. And here I will expect thy coming. Trumpets sound.

Enter REIGNIER, below.

Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our terri

tories:

Command in Anjou what your honor pleases. Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,

Fit to be made companion with a king:
What answer makes your grace unto my suit?150
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,
Free from oppression or the stroke of war,
My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please.
Suf. That is her ransom; I deliver her;
And those two counties I will undertake
Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.

161

Reig. And I again, in Henry's royal name, As deputy unto that gracious king, Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith. Suf Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,

Because this is in traffic of a king.

180

Mar. Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart,

Never yet taint with love, I send the king,
Suf. And this withal.
Kisses her.
Mar. That for thyself: I will not so presume
To send such peevish tokens to a king.
[Exeunt Reignier and Margaret.
Suf. O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk,
stay:

190

Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth;
There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise:
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
And natural graces that extinguish art:
Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry's
feet,

Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder. [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,
Must I behold thy timeless cruel death?
Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with
thee!

Puc. Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
I am descended of a gentler blood:
Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.
Shop 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,

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 prithee, gentle Joan.

20

Puc. Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn'd this man,

Adorn his temples with a coronet,
And
yet, in substance and authority,
Retain but privilege of a private man?
This proffer is absurd and reasonless.

Char. 'Tis known already that I am possess'd
With more than half the Gallian territories,
And therein reverenced for their lawful king: 140
Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd,
Detract so much from that prerogative,
As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole?
No, lord ambassador, I'll rather keep
That which I have than, coveting for more,
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?
Either accept the title thou usurp'st,
Of benefit proceeding from our king
And not of any challenge of desert,

Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.
Reig. My lord, you do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract:
If once it be neglected, ten to one
We shall not find like opportunity.

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;

150

160

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?

SCENE V. London. The palace.

Enter SUFFOLK, in conference with the KING,

GLOUCESTER and EXETER.

King. Your wondrous rare description, noble earl,

Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me:
Her virtues graced with external gifts
Do breed love's settled passions in my heart:
And like as rigor of tempestuous gusts
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide,
So am I driven by breath of her renown
Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love.
Suf. Tush, my good lord, this superficial tale
Is but a preface of her worthy praise;
The chief perfections of that lovely dame,
Had I sufficient skill to utter them,
Would make a volume of enticing lines,
Able to ravish any dull conceit:

And, which is more, she is not so divine,
So full-replete with choice of all delights,
But with as humble lowliness of mind

II

She is content to be at your command: Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents, 20 To love and honor Henry as her lord.

King. And otherwise will Henry ne'er pre

sume.

Therefore, my lord protector, give consent That Margaret may be England's royal queen.

Glon. So should I give consent to flatter sin. You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd Unto another lady of esteem:

How shall we then dispense with that contract, And not deface your honor with reproach?

Suf. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths: 30
Or one that, at a triumph having vow'd
To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists
By reason of his adversary's odds:

A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds,
And therefore may be broke without offence.
Glou. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more

than that?

Her father is no better than an earl, Although in glorious titles he excel.

40

Suf. Yes, my lord, her father is a king, The king of Naples and Jerusalem; And of such great authority in France As his alliance will confirm our peace And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance. Glou. And so the Earl of Armagnac may do, Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower,

Where Reignier sooner will receive than give. Suf. A power, my lords! disgrace not so your king,

That he should be so abject, base and poor,
To choose for wealth and not for perfect love. 50
Henry is able to enrich his queen,

60

[king,

And not to seek a queen to make him rich:
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
As market-men for oxen, sheep, or horse.
Marriage is a matter of more worth
Than to be dealt in by attorneyship;
Not whom we will, but whom his grace affects,
Must be companion of his nuptial bed:
And therefore, lords, since he affects her most,
It most of all these reasons bindeth us,
In our opinions she should be preferr'd.
For what is wedlock forced but a hell,
An age of discord and continual strife?
Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss,
And is a pattern of celestial peace.
Whom should we match with Henry, being a
But Margaret, that is daughter to a king?
Her peerless feature, joined with her birth,
Approves her fit for none but for a king;
Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit,
More than in women commonly is seen,
Will answer our hope in issue of a king;
For Henry, son unto a conqueror
Is likely to beget more conquerors,
If with a lady of so high resolve
As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love.
Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me
That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she.
King. Whether it be through force of your
report.

My noble lord of Suffolk, or for that
My tender youth was never yet attaint
With any passion of inflaming love,

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80