Bur. Warlike and martial Talbot, Burgundy Pucelle now? I think her old familiar is asleep : But where is Now where's the Bastard's braves, and Charles his gleeks? What, all amort? Rouen hangs her head for grief That such a valiant company are fled. Now will we take some order in the town, And then depart to Paris to the king, For there young Henry with his nobles lie. Bur. What wills Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy. Tal. But yet, before we go, let's not forget [Exeunt. SCENE III. The plains near Rouen. Enter CHARLES, the BASTARD of Orleans, Puc. Dismay not, princes, at this accident, 120 130 126. take some order, adopt some measures. 1. Dismay, be dismayed. Nor grieve that Rouen is so recovered: Char. We have been guided by thee hitherto Bast. Search out thy wit for secret policies, And we will make thee famous through the world. Alen. We'll set thy statue in some holy place, And have thee reverenced like a blessed saint: Employ thee then, sweet virgin, for our good. Puc. Then thus it must be; this doth Joan By fair persuasions mix'd with sugar'd words To leave the Talbot and to follow us. Char. Ay, marry, sweeting, if we could do that, France were no place for Henry's warriors; But be extirped from our provinces. Alen. For ever should they be expulsed from France And not have title of an earldom here. Puc. Your honours shall perceive how I will work To bring this matter to the wished end. [Drum sounds afar off. Hark! by the sound of drum you may perceive Their powers are marching unto Paris-ward. 10. diffidence, suspicion. 1Ο 20 30 Here sound an English march. Enter, and pass over at a distance, TALBOT and his forces. There goes the Talbot, with his colours spread, And all the troops of English after him. French march. Enter the DUKE OF BURGUNDY Now in the rearward comes the duke and his : [Trumpets sound a parley. Char. A parley with the Duke of Burgundy! Bur. Who craves a parley with the Burgundy? Puc. The princely Charles of France, thy countryman. Bur. What say'st thou, Charles? for I am marching hence. Char. Speak, Pucelle, and enchant him with thy words. Puc. Brave Burgundy, undoubted hope of France! Stay, let thy humble handmaid speak to thee. Bur. Speak on; but be not over-tedious. France, And see the cities and the towns defaced By wasting ruin of the cruel foe. As looks the mother on her lowly babe Behold the wounds, the most unnatural wounds, help. 40 50 One drop of blood drawn from thy country's bosom Should grieve thee more than streams of foreign gore: Return thee therefore with a flood of tears, And wash away thy country's stained spots. Bur. Either she hath bewitch'd me with her words, Or nature makes me suddenly relent. Puc. Besides, all French and France exclaims Doubting thy birth and lawful progeny. Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms. Have batter'd me like roaring cannon-shot, 60 70 80 So farewell, Talbot; I'll no longer trust thee. Char. Welcome, brave duke! thy friendship Bast. And doth beget new courage in our breasts. Alen. Pucelle hath bravely play'd her part in this, And doth deserve a coronet of gold. Char. Now let us on, my lords, and join our powers, And seek how we may prejudice the foe. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Paris. The palace. Enter the KING, GLOUCESTER, BISHOP OF WIN- Tal. My gracious prince, and honourable peers, Hearing of your arrival in this realm, I have awhile given truce unto my wars, To do my duty to my sovereign : In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaim'd To your obedience fifty fortresses, Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength, Lets fall his sword before your highness' feet, Ascribes the glory of his conquest got 90 ΙΟ 85. A sarcasm on French fickleness, undramatically put into the mouth of Joan. |