wife;

Oh, hold me not with silence over-long!: (So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak; I'll lop a member off, and give it you,

l'll call for pen and ink, and write my mind: In earnest of a future benefit;

Fie, De la Poole! disable not thyself"; So you do condescend to help me now.. 5 Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner?

[They h ing their heads. Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight? No hope to have redress:-My body shall Ay; beauty's princely majesty is Pay recompence, if you will grant my suit. Confoundsthe tongue,and inakesthe sensesrough.

[They shake iheir heads. Mar. Say, carl of Suffolk,if thy name beso, Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice,

10 What ransom must I pay before I pass ? Intreat you to your wonted furtherance? For, I perceive, I am thy prisoner. Then take

my soul; my body, soul, and all, Suf.How can'st thou tell, she will deny thy suit, Before that England give the French the foil. Before thou make a trial of her love? [Aside.

[They depart. Mar. Why speak’st thou not? what ransom Sce! they forsake me. Now the time is come,

2,115

must I pay? Tnat France must vail her lofty-plumed crest, Suf. She's beautiful; and therefore to be woo'd: And let her head fall into England's lap.

She is a woman; therefore to be won. [.4sile. My ancient incantations are too weak,

Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no? And hell too strong for me to buckle th:

Suf. Fond man! reinember, that thou hast a Now, France, thyglory droopeth to the dust.[Erit. 20 Excursions. Pucelle and York fight hand to hand. Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? [ Aside. Pucelle is taken. The French fly.

Alar. I were best to leave him, for he will not York. Damsel of France, I think, I have you fast:

hear.

(card. Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms, Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling And try if they can gain your liberty.

25 Niar. He talks at random; sure, the man is mad. A goodly prize! fit for the devil's grace!

Suf. And yet a dispensation may be had. Set, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows, Niar. And yet Iwould that youwould answer me. Asií, with Circe, she would change my shape.[be. Suf. I'll win this lady Margaret. For whoin?

Pucel. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not Why, for my king: Tush! that's a wooden thing*

York. Oh, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;30 díar. He talks of wood: it is some carpenter. No shape but his can please your dainty eye.(thee! Suf. Yet so iny fancy may be satisfy'd,

Pucel. A plaguing mischief light on Charles, and And peace established between these realms. And may ye

both be suddenly surpris'd But there remains a scruple in that too: By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds! For though her father be the king of Naples, York. Fell, banning'hag! enchantress, hold thy|35 Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet he is poor, tongue.

And our nobility will scorn the match. [ Aside. Pucel. I pr‘ythee,give me leave to curse a while. Mur. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? York.Curse, miscreant, when thou comesttothe Suf. It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much: stake.

[Exeunt. Henry is youthful, and will quickly yield.Alarum. Enter Suffolk, leading in lady Margaret. 40 Madam, I have a secret to reveal. [knight, Sut. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. Mar. What though I be enthrall'd? he seemis a

(Gazes on her. And will not any way dishonour me. [Aside. Oh fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly;

Suf: Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I For I will touch thee but with reverent hands. Mar. Perhaps, I shall be rescu'd by the French; I kiss these fingers for eternal peace,

145 And then I need not crare his courtesy: [ Aside. And lay them gently on thy tender side.

Suf. Sweet madam,give me hearing in a cause Who art thou : say, that I inay honour thee. Mlur. Tush! women have been captivate cre Mar. Margaret my name; and daughter to a

[Aside. The king of Naples, whosoe'er thou art. [king, Suf. Lady, wherefore talk you so ? Suf. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call’d. 50

Mar. I cry you mercy, 'tis but quid for quo. Be not offended, nature's miracle,

Suf. Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me:

Your bondage happy to be made a queen? So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, Mar. To be a queen in bondage, is more vile, Keeping them prisoners underneath her wings. Than is a slave in base servility; Yet, it this servile usage once offend,

55 For princes should be free. Go, and be free again, as Suffolk's friend.

Suf. And so shall

you, [She is going It happy England's royal king be free. Oh, stay!—I have no power to let her pass; Niar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? My hand would free her, but my heart says-no. Suf. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen; As plays the sun upon the glassy streams, 60 To put a golden scepter in thy hand, Twinkling another counterfeited beam, |And set a precious crown upon thy head,

1 To ban is to curse. ? Do not represent thyself so weak. To disable the judgement of another was, in our author's age, the same as to destroy its credit or authority, ’i. e. foolish.

*i. c. an awkward business, an undertaking not likely to succeed.

sav.

now.

If thou wilt condescend to be my

Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace Mar. What?

The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. Suf. His love.

Mar. Farewell, my lord! Good wishes, praise, Diar. I ain unworthy to be Henry's wife.

and prayers, Suf. No, gentle madam; I unworthy ain 5 Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [She is going. To woo so fair a dame to be his wife,

Suf. Farewell, sweet madam! But hark you, And have no portion in the choice myself.

Margaret;
How say you, madam; are you so content? No princely commendations to my king?

Mar. An if my father please, I am content. dlar. Such commendations as become a naid, Sup. Then call our captains, and our colours, 10 A virgin, and his servant, say to him. [rected. forth :

Suf: Words sweetly plac'd, and modestly diAnd, madam, at your father's castle walls

But, madam, I must trouble you again, We'll crave a parley to confer with him. No loving token to his majesty? [heart, Sound. "Enter Reignier on the Walls.

Mar. Yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted Sus. See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner. 15 Never yet taint with love, I send the king. Reig. To whom

Suf. And this withal.

[Kisses her. Suf. To me.

Mar. That for thyself;-) will not so presume, Reig. Suffolk, what remedy?

To send such peevish 'tokens to a king: I am a soldier; and unapt to weep,

[Ercunt Reignier and Margaret. Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.

20 Suf. 0, wert thou for myself !-But, Suffolk, Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my

lord: Thou may'st not wander in that labyrinth; [stay, Consent, (and, for thy honour, give consent) There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk. Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Solicit llenry with her wond'rous praise: Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto; Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount, And this her easy-held imprisonment

25 Mad”, natural graces that extinguish art; Hath gaind thy daughter princely liberty. Repeat their semblance often on the seas, Reig. Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?

That, when thou coin'st to kneel at Henry's feet, Suf. Fair Margaret knows,

Thou may'st bereave himn of his wits witlrwonder. That Suffolk doth not flatter, face or feign.

[Erit. Reig. Upon thy princely warrant, I descend, 130

SCENE V.
To give thee answer of thy just demand.

Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou.
(Exit from the walls.
Suf. And here I will expect thy coming.

Enter York, Warwick, a Shepherd, and Pucelle.
Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below. York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to
Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our territories, 35

burn.

[right!
Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.

Shep. Ah, Joan ! this kills thy father's heart out-
Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a Have I sought every country far and near,
child,

And now it is my chance to iind thee out,
Fit to be made companion with a king:

Must I behold thy tireless cruel death?
What answer makes your grace unto my suit? 40 Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, l'll die with thee!

Reig. Since thou dost dvign to woo ber little Pucri. Decrepit miser *! base ignoble wretch!
To be the princely bride of such a lord; (worth, I am descended of a gentler blood
Upon condition I inay quietly

Thou art no father, nor no friend of mine,
Enjoy unine own, the countries Maine and Anjou, Shep. Out, out!--My lords, an pleuse you,
Free from oppression, or the stroke of war,

15

'tis not so;
Mly daughter shall be Henry's, if he please. I did beget her, all the parish knows;
Suf. That is her ransom, I deliver hier;

Her mother liveth yet, can testify
And those two countries, I will undertakie,

She was the first fruit of my batchelorship.
Your shall well and quietly cujoy:

War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage?
grace
Reig

. And I again,-in Henry's royal name, 50 York. This argues what her kindoflife hath been;
As deputy unto that gracious king, --

\Vicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.

Shop. Fie, Joan! that thou wilt be so obstacle'!
Suf. Reignier of France, 1 give thee kingly God knows, thou art a collop of my flesh;
thanks,

And for thy sake have I shed niany a tear :
Because this is in traffic of a king :

55 Deny mne not, I pr’ythee, gentle Joan. [this man
And yet, methinks, I could be well content

Picel. Peasant, avaunt You have suborn'd
To be mine own attorney in this case. [ Aside. Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.
I'l over then to England with this news,

Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest,
And make this marriage to be solemniz'd: The morn that I was wedded to her mother.-
So

, farewell, Reignier? Set this diamond safe 160 Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl.
In golden palaces, as it becomes.

Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time
Hi.e. childish.
?i. e. wild or uncultivated.

ii. e. untimely.

4 Miser has no relation to warice in this passage, but simply means a niserable crcature. A vulgar corruption of obstinate, 004

Of

unton Syurt

1,

another

Of thy nativity! I would, the milk [breast, May never glorious sun reflex his beams
Thy mother gave thec, when thou suck'dst her Upon the country where you make abode!
Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake!. But darkness, and the gloomy shade of death
Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs a-field, Environ you ; 'till mischief, and despair,
I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee! 5 Drive youtobrcak your necks,or hang yourselves!
Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab?

[Exit guarded. O, burn her, burn her; hanging is too good. [Erit. York. Break thou in picces, and consume to

York. Take her away; for she hath liv'd too Thou foul accursed minister of hell! [ashes, To all the world with vicious qualities. (long,

Enter Cardinal Beaufort, &c. Pucel. First, let me tell you whom you have 10. Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence condemn'd:

With letters of commission from the king. Not me begotten of a shepherd swain,

For know, my lords, the states of Christendom, But issued from the progeny of kings;

Mov'd with remorse at these outrageous broils, Virtuous and holy; chosen from above,

Have earnestly implor'd a general peace By inspiration of celestial grace,

15 Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French; To work exceeding miracles on earth.

And see at hand the Dauphin, and his train, I never had to do with wicked spirits :

Approacheth, to confer about some matters. But you,--that are polluted with your lusts, York. Is all our travel turn'd to this effect? Stain'd with the guiltless blood ot innocents, After the slaughter of so many peers, Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices, 2. So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers, Because you want the grace that others liave, That in this quarrel have been overthrown, You judge it straight a thing impossible

And sold their bodies for their country's benefit, To compass wonders, but by help of devils. Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? No, misconceived! Joan of Arc hath been Have we not lost most part of all the towns, A virgin from her tender infancy,

25 By treason, falsehood, and by treachery, Chaste and immaculate in very thought; Our great progenitors had conquered?-Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effus'd, Oh, Warwick, Warwick! I foresec with grief Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven. The utter loss of all the realın of France.

York. Ay, ay ;-away with her to exccution. Wur. Be patient, York; if we conclude a peace,

War. And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid, 30 It shall be with such strict and severe covenants, Spare for no faggots, let there be enough: As little shall the Frenchien gain thereby. Placc barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,

Enter Charles, Alençon, Bastard, and Reignier. That so her torture may be shorten'd.

Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, Pucel. Will nothing turn yourunrelenting hearts-- That peacefultruce shall be proclaim'd in France, Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity;

35 We come to be informed by yourselves That warranteth by law to be thy privilege. What the conditions of that league must be. I am with child, ye bloody homicides:

York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler Murder not then the fruit within my womb,

choaks Although ye hale me to a violent death. [child: The hollow passage of my poison'd voice,

York. Now heaven forefend! the holy maid with 46 By sight of these our baleful' enemies.

Wur. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought: Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: Is all your strict preciseness come to this? That-in regard king Henry gives consent,

York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling: Of meer compassion, and of lenity,
I did imagine what would be her refuge. [live; To ease your country of distresstul war,

Wur. Well, go to; we will have no bastards 45 And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,Especially since Charles must father it.

You shall become true liegemen to his crown: Puccl. You are deceiv’d; my child is none of his; And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear It was Alençon that enjoy'd my love.

To pay him tribute, and submit thyself, York. Alençon! that notorious Machiavel; Thou shalt be plac'd as viceroy under him, It dies, an if it had a thousand lives.

50 and still enjoy thy regal dignity. Pucel. O, give me leave, I have deluded you; Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself, 'Twas neither Charles, nor yet the duke I nam’d, Adorn his temples with a coronet; But Reignier king of Naples, that prevail'd. And yet, in substance and authority,

War. A married man! that's most intolerable. Retain but privilege of a private man? York. Why, here's a girl! I think she knows55 This proffer is absurd and reasonless. not well,

Char. "Tis known already, that I am possess'd Toere were so many, whom she may accuse. Of inore than half the Gallian territories,

War. It's sign she hath been liberal and free. And therein reverenc'd for their lawful king :

York. And, yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure. Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd, Struinpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee: 60 Detract so much from that prerogative, Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. [my curse: As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole? Pucel.Then lead me hence ;--with whom I leavel (No, lord embassador; I'll rather kcep Baleful had anc.ently the same meaning as baneful. * Coronet is here used for a crown.

That

king,

her. erd,

That which I have, than, coveting for more, To love and honour Henry as her ford. [sume.
Be cast from possibility of all. (means K. Henry. And otherwise will Henry ne'er pre-

York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret Therefore, my lord protector, give consent,
L'i'd intercession to obtain a league;

That Margaret may be England's royal qucen.
And, now the matter grows to compromise, 5 Glo. So should I give consent to flatter sin.
Stand'st tbou aloof upon conparison :

You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd
Either accept the title thou usurp'st,

Unto another lady of esteem:
Of benefit' proceeding from our king,

How shall we then dispense with that contract,
And not of any challenge of desert,

And not deface your honour with reproach?
Or we will plague thee with incessant wars. 10. Suf. As doth ruler with unlawful oaths;

Reig. My lord, you do not well in obstinacy Or one, that, at a triumph. having vow'd
To cavil in the course of this contract :

To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists
If once it be neglected, ten to one,

By reason of his adversary's odds :
We shall not find like opportunity.

A poor carl's daughter is unequal odds,
Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy, 15| And therefore may be broke without offence.
To save your subjects from such massacre, Glo. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than
And ruthless slaughters, as are daily seen

Her father is no better than an earl, [that?
By our proceeding in hostility:

Although in glorious titles he excel.
And therefore take this compact of a truce,

Suf: Yes, my good lord, her father is a king,
Although you break it when your pleasure serves. 20 The king of Naples, and Jerusalem;

(Aside to the Dauphin. And of such great authority in France, War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our con

As his alliance will confirm our peace,
dition stand?

And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.
Char. It shall;

Glo. And so the earl of Armagnac may do,
Only reserv'd, you claim no interest

125 Because he is near kinsman unto Charles. In any of our towns of garrison.

Exe, Beside, his wealth doth warrant liberal York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty ;

dlower;
As thou art knight, never to disobey,

While Reignier sooner will receive than give.
Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, Suf. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your
Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.-30
(Charles and the rest give tokens of fealty.

That he should be so abject, base, and poor,
So, now dismiss your army when ye please ;

Tochiuse for wealth, and not for perfect love.
Hang up your ensigns, let

your drunis be still, Henry is able to enrich his queen,
For here we entertain a solemn peace. [Exeunt. And not to seek a queen to make him rich:

35 So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
SCENE VI.

As market-men for oxen, sheep, or horse.
England.

But marriage is a matter of more worth,

Than to be dealt in by attorneyship •;
A Room in the Palace.

Not whom we will, but whom his grace affects,
Exter Suffolk in conference with King Henry: 40 Must be companion of his nuptial bed:
Gloster, and Ereter.

And, therefore, lords, since he attects her most,
K. Henry. Your wond'rous rare description, it most of all these reasons bindeth us,
noble earl,

In our opinions she should be preferr'd.
Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me:

For what is wedlock forced, but a hell,
Her virtues, graced with external gifts, 45 An age of discord and continual strife?
Do breed love's settled passions in my heart :

Whereas the contrary bringeth forth bliss,
And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts

And is a pattern of celestial peace.
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide;

Whom should we match with Henry, beiug a king,
So am I driven, by breath of her renown,

But Margaret, that is daughter to a king?
Either to suffer shipwreck, or arrive

50 Her peerless feature, joined with her birth,
Where I may have fruition of her love.

Approves her fit for none, but for a king:
Suf. Tush, my good lord! this superficial tale Her valiant courage, and undaunted spirit,
Is but a preface of her worthy praise;

(More than in woman commonly is seen) will
The chief perfections of that lovely dame

Answer our hope in issue of a king; (Had I sufficient skill to utter them)

155 For Henry, son unto a conqueror,
Would make a volume of enticing lines,

Is likely to beget more conquerors,
Able to ravish any dull conceit.

If with a lady of so high resolve,
And, which is more, she is not so divine, As is fair Margaret, he be link'd in love.
So full replete with choice of all delights, Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me,
But, with as humble lowliness of mind, 60 That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she.
She is content to be at your command ;

K. Henry. Whether it be through force of your
Command, I inean, of virtuous chaste intents, My noble lord of Suffolk; or for that [report,

Benefit is here a term of law. Be content to live as the beneficiary of our king. *That is, at the
sports by which a triunpb is celebrated. 3i.e. by the discretional agency of another.

My

1

My tender youth was never yet attaint

And you, good uncle, banish all offence: With any passion of inflaming love,

If you do censure. Nie by what you were,
I cannot tell; but this I am assur'd,

Not what you are, I know it will excuse
I feel such sharp dissention in my breast, This sudden execution of my will.
Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear, 5 And so conduct me, where from company,
As I am sick with working of my thoughts. I may revolve and ruminate my griet?. [Enit.
Take, therefore,shipping; post,mylord, to France; Gló. Ay, grief, I fear ine, botú at first and last.
Agree to any covenants; and procure

[Ereunt Gloster and Eriter.
That lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come Suf. Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd; and thus he
To cross the seas to England, and be crown'd 10 As did the youthful Paris once to Greece; [goes,
King Henry's faithful and anointed queen: With hope to find the like event in love,
For your expences and sufficient charge, But prosper better than the Trojan did.
Ainong the people gather up a tenth,

Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king:
Be gone, I say; for, 'till you do return,

But I will rule both her, the king, and realm. I rest perplexed with a thousand cares. 115

[Erit. 11. e. judge. Grief in this line is taken generally for pain or uneasiness; in the line that fok lows, specially for sorrow.

2

SECOND