That now our loss might be ten times so much? Puc. Wherefore is Charles impatient with his

friend?

At all times will you have my power alike?
Sleeping or waking must I still prevail,
Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?
Improvident soldiers! had your watch been good,
This sudden mischief never could have fall'n.

Char. Duke of Alençon, this was your default, That, being captain of the watch to-night, Did look no better to that weighty charge. Alen. Had all your quarters been as safely kept As that whereof I had the government, We had not been thus shamefully surprised.

Bast.

Reig.

Mine was secure.

And so was mine, my lord. Char. And, for myself, most part of all this

night,

Within her quarter and mine own precinct

I was employ'd in passing to and fro,

About relieving of the sentinels;

Then how or which way should they first break

in?

Puc. Question, my lords, no further of the case, How or which way; 'tis sure they found some

place

But weakly guarded, where the breach was made.
And now there rests no other shift but this:
To gather our soldiers, scatter'd and dispersed,
And lay new platforms to endamage them.

75

Alarum.

Enter an English Soldier, crying A Talbot ! a Talbot!' They fly, leaving their clothes behind. Sold.

I'll be so bold to take what they have
left.

The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword;
For I have loaden me with many spoils,
Using no other weapon but his name.

SCENE II. Orleans. Within the town.

80

[Exit.

Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, BURGUNDY, a Captain, and others.

Bed. The day begins to break, and night is fled, Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth. Here sound retreat, and cease our hot pursuit.

[Retreat sounded.

Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury,
And here advance it in the market-place,
The middle centre of this cursed town.

5

Now have I paid my vow unto his soul;

For every drop of blood was drawn from him

There hath at least five Frenchmen died to-night.

And that hereafter ages may behold

10

What ruin happen'd in revenge of him,

Within their chiefest temple I 'll erect

A tomb, wherein his corpse shall be interr'd;

Upon the which, that every one may read,

Shall be engraved the sack of Orleans,

15

The treacherous manner of his mournful death,

And what a terror he had been to France.
But, lords, in all our bloody massacre

I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace,
His new-come champion, virtuous Joan of Arc, 20
Nor any of his false confederates.

Bed. 'Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began,

Roused on the sudden from their drowsy beds,
They did amongst the troops of armed men
Leap o'er the walls for refuge in the field.

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Bur. Myself, as far as I could well discern

For smoke and dusky vapours of the night,
Am sure I scared the Dauphin and his trull,
When arm in arm they both came swiftly running,
Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves

That could not live asunder day or night.

After that things are set in order here,

We'll follow them with all the power we have.

Enter a Messenger.

30

Mess. All hail, my lords! Which of this princely

train

35

Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts
So much applauded through the realm of France?
Tal. Here is the Talbot; who would speak with

him?

Mess. The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown,

By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe To visit her poor castle where she lies,

41

That she may boast she hath beheld the man
Whose glory fills the world with loud report.
Nay, then, I see our wars

Bur. Is it even so?

Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport,

When ladies crave to be encounter'd with.

4.5

You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit.
Tal. Ne'er trust me then; for when a world of

men

Could not prevail with all their oratory,
Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled.
And therefore tell her I return great thanks,
And in submission will attend on her.
Will not your honours bear me company ?

Bed. No, truly, it is more than manners will; And I have heard it said, unbidden guests

Are often welcomest when they are gone.

50

55

Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy,

I mean to prove this lady's courtesy.

Come hither, captain. [Whispers.] You perceive my mind?

Capt. I do, my lord, and mean accordingly.

60

[Exeunt.

SCENE III. Auvergne. The Countess's castle.

Enter the COUNTESS and her Porter.

Count. Porter, remember what I gave in charge; And when you have done so, bring the keys to

me.

Port. Madam, I will.

[Exit.

Count. The plot is laid; if all things fall out

right,

I shall as famous be by this exploit

As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death.

Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight,
And his achievements of no less account;

Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears,
To give their censure of these rare reports.

Enter Messenger and TALBOT.

Mess. Madam,

According as your ladyship desired,

By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.

And he is welcome.

5

10

What is this the

Count.

man?

Mess. Madam, it is.

Count.

Is this the scourge of France?

16

Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad

That with his name the mothers still their babes?

I see report is fabulous and false;

I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
A second Hector, for his grim aspect,

And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!

It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies.

20

Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble

you;

But since your ladyship is not at leisure,

I'll sort some other time to visit you.

25