How, or which way; 'tis sure, they found some place Alarum. Enter an English Soldier, crying, a Talbot! [Exit. SCENE II.-Orleans. Within the town. Enter Tal- [Retreat sounded. Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury; 1 muse, we met not with the dauphin's grace; Bed. 'Tis thought, lord Talbot, when the fight be gan, Rous'd on the sudden from their drowsy beds, Bur. Myself (as far as I could well discern, 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. Mes. All hail, my lords! which of this princely train 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? Mes. The virtuous lady, countess of Auvergne, By me entreats, good lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe That she may boast, she hath beheld the man 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-rul'd:- Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will: And I have heard it said,-Unbidden guests Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, Come hither, captain. [Whispers.]—You perceive my mind. Capt. I do, my lord; and mean accordingly. [Exeunt. SCENE III-Auvergne. Court of the Castle. En. ter 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 Thomyris by Cyrus' death. Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight, Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, To give their censure of these rare reports. Enter Messenger and Talbot. Mes. Madam, According as your ladyship desir'd, By message crav'd, so is lord Talbot come. Count. And he is welcome. What! is this the man? Mes. Madam, it is. Count. Is this the scourge of France? 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, And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs. It cannot be, this weak and writhled shrimp -Should strike such terror to his enemies. Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you: Count. What means he now ?-Go ask him, whither he goes. Mes. Stay, my lord Talbot; for my lady craves Re-enter Porter with keys. Count. If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. Count. To me, blood-thirsty lord, But now the substance shall endure the like; Wasted our country, slain our citizens, Tal. Ha, ha, ha! Count. Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. Tal. I laugh to see your ladyship so fond, To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow, Whereon to practice your severity. Count. Why, art not thou the man? Tal. I am indeed. Count. Then have I substance too. I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here, It is of such a spacious lofty pitch, Your roof were not sufficient to contain it. Count. This is a riddling merchant for the nonce; He will be here, and yet he is not here: How can these contrarieties agree? Tal. That will I show you presently. He winds a horn. Drums heard; then a peal of ord nance. The gates being forced, enter Soldiers. How say you, madam? are you now persuaded, These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength, Count. Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse: I did not entertain thee as thou art. Tal. Be not dismay'd, fair lady; nor misconstrue The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake The outward composition of his body. What you have done, hath not offended me: But only (with your patience,) that we may Count. With all my heart; and think me honoured To feast so great a warrior in my house. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-London. The Temple garden. Enter the Earls of Somerset, Suffolk, and Warwick; Richard Plantagenet, Vernon, and another Lawyer. Plan. Great lords, and gentlemen, what means this silence? |