man. 20 you on? A holy maid hither with me I bring, Dau. Then comco'God's name, I fear nowoWhich, by a vision sent to her from heaven, Ordained is to raise this tedious siege, Pucel. And, while I live, I'll never fly no man. And drive the English forth the bounds of France. [Flere they light, and Joan la Pucelle örercomes. The spirit of deep prophecy she hath, 5 Dau. Stay, staythy hands; thou art an Amazon, Exceeding the nine sibyls i of old Rome; And fightest wiih the sword of Deborah. What's past, and what's to come, she can descry: Pucel. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my 2 words, weak. [help me; For they are certain and unfallible. Dau. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must Dau. Go, call her in: But first, to try her skill, 10 Impatiently I burn with thy desire; Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place: My heart and hands thou hast at once subdu'd. Question her proudly, let thy looks be stern ; Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so, By this means shall we sound what skill she hath. Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be; Enter Joan la Pucelle. 'Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus. Reig. Fairmaid, is't thou wiltdothesewond'rous 15. Purel. I must not yield to any rites of love, feats? [me: For my profession's sacred from above: Pucel. Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to beguile When I have chased all thy foes from hence, Where is the Dauphin? come, come from behind; Then will I think upon a recompence. I know thee well, though never seen before. Dau. Mean time, look gracious on thy proBe not amaz'd, there's nothing hid from me: strate thrall. In private will I talk with thee apart; Reig. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk, Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. Alen. Doubtless, he shrives this woman to her Reig. She takes upon her bravely at first dash. sinock; Pucel. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. daughter, Reig. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no My wit untrain’d in any kind of art. mean? Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleas'd Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do To shine on my contemptible estate: know: (tongues. Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, These women are shrewd tempters with their And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks, 30 Reig. My lord, where are you : what devise God's mother deigned to appear to me; And, in a vision full of inajesty, Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Will’d me to leave my base vocation, Pucel. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants ! And free my country from calamity: Fight 'till the last gasp; I will be your guard. Her aid she promis'd, and assur'd success: 35 Dau. What she says, I'll confirm; we'll fight In complete glory she reyeal'd herself; it out. And, whereas I was black and swart before, Pucel. Assigu'd I am to be the English scourge. With those clear rays which she infus'd on ine, This night the siege assuredly I'll raise: That beauty am I blest with, which you see. Expect St. Martin's summer 3, halcyon days, Ask me what question thou canst possible, to Since I have enter'd thus into these wars. And I will answer unpremeditated: Glory is like a circle in the water, My courage try by combat, if thou dar'st, Which never ceas th to enlarge itself, And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex. 'Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to nought. Resolve on this: Thou shalt be fortunate, With Henry's death the English circle ends; If thou receive me for thy warlike mate. 45 Dispersed are the glories it included. Dau. 'Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high Now am I like that proud insulting ship, terms: Which Casar and his fortwe bare at once. Doly this proof I'll thy valour make, Dau. Was Mahomet inspired with a dove + ? In single combat thou shalt buckle with me; Thou with an eagle art inspired then. And, if thou vanquishest, thy words are true; ollelen, the mother of great Constantine, Otherwise, I renounce all confidence. Noryet Saint Philip's daughters 5, were like thee. Pucel. I am prepar’d: here is my keen-edg'd Bright star of Venus, fall in down on the earth, sword, Now may I reverently worship thee enough? Deck'd with fine flower-de-laces on each side; Alen. Leave oti delays and let us raise thesiege. Thewhich,at'souraineinSaintKatharine’schurch-55 Reig. Woman, do what thou canst to save our yard, honours; Out of a deal of old iron I chosc forth. Drive them from Orleans, and be immortaliz’d. • There were no nine sibyls of Rome! but our author confounds things, and mistakes this for the nine books of Sibylline oracles, brought to one of the Tarquivs. 2 It should be read, believe her words. 3 That is, expect prosperity after misfortune, like fair weather at Martlemas, after winter has begun. 4 Vuhomet had a dove, which he used to feed with wheat out of his ear; which dove, when it was hungry, ligjited on Mahomet's shoulder, and thrust its bill in to find its breaktast; Niahomet persuading the rude and simple Arabians, that it was the Iloly Ghost that gave him adrice. s Meaning, the four daughters of Philip mentioned in the Acts. Dau, Dau. Presently we'll try :-Come, let's away Glo. Stand back, thou manifest conspirator; about it: Thou, that contriv’dst to murder ourdeadlord; No prophet will I trust, if she prove false. Thou, that giv'st whores indulgences to sin +: (Ercunt. I'll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal's hats, SCENE III. 5 If thou proceed in this thy insolence. [foot: Win. Nay, stand thou back, I will not budgea This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain, I'll use, to carry thee out of this place. [face. Glo. What? am I dar'd, and bearded to my 1 Ward. Who's there, that knocketh so im Draw, men, for all this privileged place; (face periously? 15 Blue-coats to tawny-coats. Priest, beware thy 1 Man. It is the noble duke of Gloster. beard; Under my fect I'll stamp thy cardinal's hat; tector? In spite of pope, or dignities of church, 1 Ward. The Lord protect him! so wc|20 Here by the cheeks I'll drag thee up and down. answer hini: A’in. Gloster, thou'lt answer this before thepope. We do no otherwise than we are will’d. Glo. Winchester goose ? ! I cryo-A rope ? a Glo. Who will'd you? or whose will stands, rope! stay? but mine? Now beat them hence, Why do you let them Here Gloster's Mten beat out the Cardinal's; and Gloster's Menrushat the lower-Gates, and Wood enter in the hurly-burly, the Mayor of London vile, the Lieutenant, speaks within. and his Officers. magistrates, my wrongs: |35|Here's Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king, The cardinal of Winchester forbids: Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use, Win. Here's Gloster too, a foe to citizens; One that still motions war, and never peace, 140 That seeks to overthrow religion, And would have armour here out of the Tower, Thou art no friend to God, or to the king: Tocrown himself king, and suppress the prince. Open the gates, or I'll shut thee out shortly. Glo. I will not answer thee with words, but Serr. Open the gates there to the lord protector : 45 blows. [Here they skirmish again. We'll burst them open, if that you come not Mayor. Nought rests for me, in this tuinulquickly. tuous strife, Come, officer; as loud as e'er thou canst. day, against God's peace and the king's, rue Glo. Pield 3 priest, dost thou command me to charge and command you, in his highness' name be shut out? to repair to your several duelling places; and Win. I do, thou most usurping proditor, not wear, handle, or use, any sword, weapon, And not protector of the king or realm. or dagger, henceforward, upon pain of dea! h. Conreyance means theft. ? A tawny coat was the dress of the officer whose business it was to summon offenders to an ecclesiastical court. These are the proper attendants therefore on the bishop Alluding to his shaven crown. In Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 154, Robert Baldocke, bishopof London, is called a peeled priest, pilide clerk, seemingly in allusion to his shaven Crown alone. So, bald-head was a term of scorn and mockery: 4 The public stews were formerly under the district of the bishop of Winchester. 5 This means, I believe, I'll tumble thee into thy great hat , and shake thee, as branand mealare shaken in a siete. o Maundrel, in his Travels, says, that about Gio. of Winchester. -cher erhas when diomet lean Glo. Cardinal, I'll be no breaker of the law : Tal. With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious But we shall meet, and break our minds at large. taunts. To be a public spectacle to all; Mayor. I'll call for clubs, if you will not away: The scare-crow that attrights our children so. To hurl at the beholders of my shame. So great fearoi myname'mongst themwas spread, Wheretore a guard of chosen shot I had, That walk'd about me every minute while; And if I did but stir out of iny bed, Sal. I grieve to hear what torments you enAnd how the English have the suburbs won. dur'd; Boy. Father, I know; and oft have shot at them, But we will be reveng'd sufficiently. Howe'er, unfortunate, I miss'd my aim. Now it is supper-time in Orleans: M. Gún. But now thou shalt not. Be thou 25 Here, through this grate, I can count every one, rul’d by me: Ind view the Frenchmen how they foruity; Chief master-gunner ain I of this town; Let us look in, the sight will inuch delight threeSomething I must do to procure ine grace. Sir Thomas Gargrave, and Sir William Glansdale, The prince's 'spials' have informed me, Let me have your express opinions, How the English, in the suburbs close intrench’d, 30 Where is best place to make our battery next. 2 Went, through a secret grate of iron bars Gar. I think, at the north gate: for there stand In yonder tower, to over-peer the city; 'lords. And thence discover, how, with most advantage, Glan. And I here, at the bulwark of the bridge. They may vex us, with shot, or with assault. Tal. Foraught I see, this city must be famish'u, To intercept this inconvenience, 35 Or with light skirmishes enfeebled. A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have plac'd; [Shot from the toren. Salisbury and Sir Tho. And fully even these three days have I watch'd, Gargrate fall down. If I could see them: Now, boy, do thou watch; Sal. O Lord, have mercy on us, wretched For I can stay no longer. sinners! If thou spy'st any, run and bring me word; Gar. O Lord, have mercy on me, woeful man! And thou shalt find me at the governor's. (Exit. Tal. What chance is this, that suddenly hath Boy. Father, I warrant you; take you no care; cross'd us:--I'll never trouble you, if I Speak, Salisbury; at least, if thou canst speak; Enter the Lords Sulisbury and Talbot, with Sir W. How tar’st thoui, mirror of all martial men? Glansdale and Sir Tho.Gargrare, on the turrets. 45 Oneofthy eyes,and thy cheek's side struck off! Sal. Talbot, my life, my joy, again return'd! Accursed tower! accursed fatal hand, How wert thou handled, being prisoner? That hath contriv'd this woeful tragedy! Or by what means gott'st thou to be releas'd? In thirteen battles Salisbury o'ercame; Discourse, I pry'thee, on this turret's top. Henry the fifth he first train'd to the wars: Tal. The duke of Bedford had a prisoner, 50 Whilst any trump did sound, or drum struck up, Called—the brave lord Ponton de Santrailles; His sword did nc'er leave striking in the field.-For him was I exchang'd and ransoined. Yet liv'st thou, Salisbury though thy speech doth But with a baser man of arms by far, fail, Once,in contempt, they would have barter'd me: One eye thou hast to look to heaven for grace: Which I, disdaining, scorn’d; and craved death The sun with one eye vieweth all the world. Rather than I would be so pill'd'esteemed. Heaven, be thou gracious to none alive, In fine, redeem'd I was as I desir'd. If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands !But, oh! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my Bear hence his body, I will help to bury it.heart! Sir Thomas Gargrave, hast thou any lite? Whom with my bare fists I would execute, 60 Speak unto Talbot; nay, look up to him. If I now had hím brought into my power. Salisbury, chear thy spirit with this comfort; Sal. Yet tell'st thou not, how thou wert en Thou shalt not die, whiles tertain'd. He beckons with his hand, and smiles on me; · Espials are spies. 2 Wont, i. e, were accustomed. So pill'd, means so pillaged, so stripp'd of honours. may spy them. As As who should say, When I am dead and gone, Tal. My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I ain, nor what I do: [Here an ularum, and it thunders and lightens. So beeswithsmoke,anddoveswithnoisomestench, Now, like their whelps, we crying run away. Mess. My lord, my lord, the French have 10 [A short alarum. gather'd head: Hark, countrymen! either renew the fight, Renounce your soil, give sheep in lions' stead: [Here Salisbury lifteth himself'up, and groans.15 Or horse, or oxen, from the leopard, [Alarum. Here another skirmish. It irks his heart, he cannot be reveng'd. It will not be :-Retire into your trenches: Frenchmen, I'll be a Salisbury to you : You all consented unto Salisbury's death, 20 For none would strike a stroke in his revenge. O, would I were to die with Salisbury! [Exit Talbot. SCENE V. [Alarum, retreut, flourish. Here an alarum again; and Talbot pursueth the SCEN E VI. Alençon, and Soldiers. 30 Pucelle. Advanceourwavingcoloursonthewalls; Tal. Where is my strength, my valour, and my Rescu'd is Orleans from the English wolves :forcc? Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word. 35 Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens, , or devil's dam, I'll.conjure thee: France, triumph in thy glorious prophetess !-Blood will I draw on thee?, thou art a witch, Recover'd is the town of Orleans : And straightway give thy soul to him thou servist. More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state. Pucel.Come,come,'tisonlyl that must disgrace 40 Reig. Why ring not out the bells throughout thee. [They fight. the towni? Tal . Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail? Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires, My breast I'll busst with straining of my courage, And feast and banquet in the open streets, joy, For which, I will divide my crown with her: go, chcer up thy hunger-starved men; shall, in procession, sing her endless praise. Help Salisbury to make his testament: A statelier pyramis to her I'll rear, [Exit Pucelle. \In memory of her, when she is dead, Her Her ashes, in an urn more precious No longer on Saint Denis will we cry, ACT II. SCENE 1. Of English Henry, shall this night appear How much in duty I am bound to both. 15 The English, scaling the walls, cry, St. George! Enter a French Serjeant, with two Centinels. A Talbot ! Serj S'RS, take your places, and be vigilant: Cent. [Within.] Arm, arm! the enemy doth If any noise, or soldier, you perceive, make assault ! Near to the walls, by some apparent sign, The French leap over the walls in their shirts. Enter Let us have knowledge at the court ot guard. |20 several ways, Bastard, Alençon, Reignier, half Cent. Serjeant, you shall. [Erit Serjeant.] Thus ready, and half unready. are poor servitors Alen. How now,my lords? what all unready’so? (When others sleep upon their quiet beds) Bast. Unready: ay,and glad we'scap'd so well. Constrain'd to watch in darkness, rain, and cold. Reig. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake, and leave Enter Tulbnt, Bedford, and Burgundy, with scaling 5 Hearing alarums at our chamber doors. Cour beds, ladders; their drums beating a dead march. Alen. Of all exploits, since first I follow'd arms, Tal. Lordregent—and redoubted Burgundy, Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprize Bast. I think, this Talbot is a tiend of bell. Alen. Here cometh Charles; I marvel how he Embrace we then this opportunity; sved. As fitting best to quittance their deceit, Enter Charles, and Pucelle. Contriv'd by art, and baleful sorcery: Bast. Tut! holy Joan was his defensive guard. Bed. Coward of France !--how much he wrongs 35 Char. Is this thý cunning,triou deceitful dame! his fame, Didst thou at first, to tlatter us withal, Make us partakers of a little gain, Bur. Traitors have never other company. Pucel. Wherefore is Charles impatient with At all times will you have my power alike? Sleeping, or waking, must I still prevail, 143 This sudden mischief never could have fall'n. Tul. Well , let them practise and converse with Char. Duke of Alençon, this was your default; That, being captain of the watch to-night, Bed. Ascend,brave Talbot; we will follow thee.50 As that whereof I had the government, Tal. Not all together; better far, I guess, We had not been thus shamefully surpriz'd. Reign. And so was mine, my lord. 55Within her quarter, and mine own precinct, Bur. And I to this. [grave. I was employ'd in passing to and fro, Tul. And here will Talbot mount, or make his About relieving of the centinels: Now, Salisbury! for thee, and for the right Then how,or which way,should theyfirst break in! When Alexander the Great took the city of Gaza, the metropolis of Syria, amidst the spoils and wealth of Darius treasured up there, he found an exceeding rich and beautifullittle chest or casket, and asked those about him what theythought fittest to be laid up in it. When they had severally delivered tb ir opinions, he told them, he esteemed nothing so worthy to be preserved in it as Homer's Iliad. 2 Unready was the current word in those times for undress'd. Pucel. |