Bear her this jewel, [To the Amb.] pledge of my affection. And so, my lord protector, see them guarded, [Exeunt King HENRY and Train; GLOSTER, 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 leisure. Win. Now, Winchester will not submit, I trow, Or be inferior to the proudest peer. Humphrey of Gloster, thou shalt well perceive, The bishop will be overborne by thee: I'll either make thee stoop, and bend thy knee, SCENE II. France. Plains in Anjou. [Exeunt. Enter CHARLES, BURGUNDY, ALENÇON, LA PUCELLE, and Forces, marching. 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 us; Else, ruin combat with their palaces! Enter a Messenger. Mess. Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices! Char. What tidings send our scouts? I pr'ythee, speak. Mess. The English army, that divided was Into two parts, is now conjoin'd in one; And means to give you battle presently. Char. Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is; But we will presently provide for them. Bur. I trust, the ghost of Talbot is not there; Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear. Puc. Of all base passions, fear is most accurs'd :Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine; Let Henry fret, and all the world repine. Char. Then on, my lords; And France be for tunate! SCENE III. [Exeunt. The same. Before Angiers. Alarums: Excursions. Enter LA PUCELLE. Puc. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. Now help, ye charming spells, and periapts ;4 4 Charms sowed up. [Thunder. You speedy helpers, that are substitutes Enter Fiends. This speedy quick appearance argues proof O, hold me not with silence over-long! blood, [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress?-My body shall [They shake their heads. Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, See! they forsake me. [They depart. Now the time is come, That France must vail 6 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. 5 The north was supposed to be the particular habitation of bad spirits. 6 Lower. LA Alarums. Enter French and English, fighting. La PUCELLE and YORK fight hand to hand. PUCELLE is taken. The French fly. York. Damsel of France, I think, I have you fast: A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace! Puc. A plaguing mischief light on Charles, and thee! And may ye both be suddenly surpriz'd By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds! York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy tongue. Puc. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a while. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. [Exeunt. Alarums. Enter SUFFOLK, leading in Lady MARGARET. Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. O fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly; [Gazes on her. For I will touch thee but with reverent hands, 7 To ban is to curse. I kiss these fingers [Kissing her hand.] for eternal peace: Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee. Mar. Margaret my name; and daughter to a king, The king of Naples, whosoe'er thou art. 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, Go, and be free again as Suffolk's friend. [She turns away as going. O, stay!-I have no power to let her pass; My hand would free her, but my heart says―no. So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner ? Ay; beauty's princely majesty is such, Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough. Mar. Say, earl of Suffolk,-if thy name be so,What ransome must I pay before I pass? For, I perceive, I am thy prisoner. Suf. How canst thou tell, she will deny thy suit, Before thou make a trial of her love? [Aside. Mar. Why speak'st thou not? what ransome must I pay? 8 "Do not represent thyself so weak.'' |