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Enter a third Messenger.

3rd Mess. My gracious lords (to add to your laments

Wherewith you now bedew King Henry's hearse), I must inform you of a dismal fight Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French. Win. What! wherein Talbot overcame: is't so? 3rd Mess. O no: wherein Lord Talbot was o'erthrown.

The circumstance I'll tell you more at large :-
The tenth of August last, this dreadful lord,
Retiring from the siege of Orleans,

Having full scarce six thousand in his troop,
By three-and-twenty thousand of the French
Was round encompasséd and set upon.
No leisure had he to enrank his men :
He wanted pikes to set before his archers;
Instead whereof, sharp stakes, plucked out of
hedges,

They pitched in the ground confusedly,
To keep the horsemen off from breaking in.
More than three hours the fight continuéd ;
Where valiant Talbot, above human thought,
Enacted wonders with his sword and lance.
Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand
him :

Here, there, and everywhere, enraged he slew.
The French exclaimed, the devil was in arms :
All the whole army stood agazed on him:
His soldiers, spying his undaunted spirit,
"A Talbot! a Talbot!" cried out amain,
And rushed into the bowels of the battle.
Here had the conquest fully been sealed up,
If Sir John Fastolfe had not played the coward:
He, being in the vaward (placed behind,
With purpose to relieve and follow them),
Cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
Hence grew the general wreck and massacre:
Enclosed were they with their enemies.

A base Walloon, to win the Dauphin's grace,
Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back;
Whom all France, with their chief assembled
strength,

Durst not presume to look once in the face.

Bed. Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself, For living idly here, in pomp and ease, Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid, Unto his dastard foemen is betrayed.

3rd Mess. O no, he lives, but is took prisoner: And Lord Scales with him, and Lord Hungerford : Most of the rest slaughtered or took likewise.

Bed. His ransom there is none but I shall pay : I'll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne; His crown shall be the ransom of my friend: Four of their Lords I'll change for one of ours.Farewell, my masters; to my task will I : Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make,

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Glo. I'll to the Tower, with all the haste I can, To view the artillery and munition : And then I will proclaim young Henry king.

[Exit. Exe. To Eltham will I, where the young King is,

Being ordained his special governor :

And for his safety there I'll best devise. [Exit. Win. Each hath his place and function to attend:

I am left out; for me nothing remains.
But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office :
The King from Eltham I intend to send,
And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.

[Exit. Scene closes.

SCENE II.-France. Before Orleans. Enter CHARLES, with his Forces; ALENCON, REIGNIER, and others.

Char. Mars his true moving (even as in the heavens

So in the earth) to this day is not known.
Late did he shine upon the English side:
Now we are victors; upon us he smiles.
What towns of any moment but we have?
At pleasure here we lie near Orleans;
Otherwhiles the famished English, like pale
ghosts,

Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.

Alen. They want their porridge and their fat bull-beeves:

Either they must be dieted like mules,
And have their provender tied to their mouths,
Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.

Reig. Let's raise the siege: why live we idly

here?

Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear:

Remaineth none but mad-brained Salisbury,

And he may well in fretting spend his gall;
Nor men nor money hath he to make war.

Char. Sound, sound alarum: we will rush on them.

Now for the honour of the forlorn French!
Him I forgive my death, that killeth me
When he sees me go back one foot, or fly.

[Exeunt.

Alarums; Excursions; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter CHARLES, ALENCON, REIGNIER, and others.

Char. Who ever saw the like? what men have I !

Dogs, cowards, dastards!-I would ne'er have fled,

But that they left me 'midst my enemies.
Reig. Salisbury is a desperate homicide;
He fighteth as one weary of his life,
The other lords, like lions wanting food,
Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.

Alen. Froissart, a countryman of ours, records,
England all Olivers and Rowlands bred
During the time Edward the Third did reign.
More truly now may this be verified;
For none but Samsons and Goliasses

It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten;
Lean rawboned rascals! who would e'er suppose
They had such courage and audacity?

Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hair-brained slaves,

And hunger will enforce them to be more eager.
Of old I know them: rather with their teeth
The walls they'll tear down, than forsake the siege.
Reig. I think, by some odd gimmals or device,
Their arms are set like clocks, still to strike on ;
Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do.
By my consent we'll e'en let them alone.

Alen. Be it so.

Enter the BASTARD of ORLEANS. Bast. Where's the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.

Char. Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. Bast. Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appalled:

Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?
Be not dismayed, for succour is at hand:
A holy maid hither with me I bring,
Which, by a vision sent to her from heaven,
Ordained is to raise this tedious siege,
And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
The spirit of deep prophecy she hath,
Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome :
What's past and what's to come she can descry.
Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words,
For they are certain and unfallible.

Char. Go, call her in. [Exit BASTARD.] But first, to try her skill,

Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place :
Question her proudly, let thy looks be stern.
By this means shall we sound what skill she hath.
[Retires.

Enter LA PUCELLE, BASTARD of ORLEANS, and others.

Reig. Fair maid, is 't thou wilt do those wondrous feats?

Puc. Reignier, is 't thou that thinkest to beguile me ?

Where is the Dauphin?-come, come from behind:
I know thee well, though never seen before.
Be not amazed; there's nothing hid from me.
In private will I talk to thee apart :—
Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile.
Reig. She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Puc. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's
daughter;

My wit untrained in any kind of art.
Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
To shine on my contemptible estate.

Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs,
And to sun's parching heat displayed my cheeks,
God's mother deignéd to appear to me,
And, in a vision full of majesty,
Willed me to leave my base vocation.
And free my country from calamity :
Her aid she promised, and assured success.
In cómplete glory she revealed herself:
And, whereas I was black and swart before,
With those clear rays which she infused on me
That beauty am I blessed with which you see.
Ask me what question thou canst possible,
And I will answer unpremeditated :
My courage try by combat, if thou darʼst,
And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
Resolve on this :-thou shalt be fortunate,
If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
Char. Thou hast astonished me with thy high

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Char. Stay, stay thy hand! Thou art an Amazon,

And fightest with the sword of Deborah.

Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too weak.

Char. Whoe'er helps thee, 't is thou that must help me.

Impatiently I burn with thy desire:

My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.
Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so,
Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be:
'Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus.
Puc. I must not yield to any rites of love,
For my profession's sacred from above.
When I have chaséd all thy foes from hence,
Then will I think upon a recompense.

Char. Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall.

Reig. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.

Alen. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her

smock:

Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Reig. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no

mean?

Alen. He may mean more than we poor men

do know :

These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.

Reig. My lord, where are you? What devise

you on?

Shall we give over Orleans, or no?

Puc. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! Fight till the last gasp: I will be your guard. Char. What she says I'll confirm: we'll fight it out.

Puc. Assigned am I to be the English scourge. This night the siege assuredly I'll raise : Expect Saint Martin's summer, halcyon days, Since I have entered into these wars. Glory is like a circle in the water, Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself, Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to nought. With Henry's death the English circle ends; Dispersed are the glories it included. Now am I like that proud insulting ship Which Cæsar and his fortune bare at once.

Char. Was Mahomet inspiréd with a dove? Thou with an eagle art inspiréd, then. Helen, the mother of great Constantine, Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters, were like thee! Bright star of Venus, fall'n down on the earth, How may I reverently worship thee enough? Alen. Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.

Reig. Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours:

Drive them from Orleans, and be immortalized. Char. Presently we'll try.-Come, let's away about it:

No prophet will I trust, if she prove false.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-London. Hill before the Tower. Enter, at the gates, the DUKE OF GLOSTER, with

his Serving-men, in blue coats.

Glo. I am come to survey the Tower this day: Since Henry's death I fear there is conveyance.— Where be these warders, that they wait not here? Open the gates: it is Gloster that calls.

[Servants knock. 1st Ward. [within.] Who's there that knocks so imperiously?

1st Serv. It is the noble Duke of Gloster. 2nd Ward. [within.] Whoe'er he be, we may not let him in.

1st Serv. Villains, answer you so the Lord Protector?

1st Ward. [within.] The Lord protect him! So we answer him.

We do no otherwise than we are willed.

Glo. Who willed you; or whose will stands but mine?

There's none protector of the realm but I.—
Break up the gates; I'll be your warrantize:
Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?

Servants rush at the Tower gates. Enter to the gates WOODVILLE, the Lieutenant. Wood. [within.] What noise is this? what traitors have we here?

Glo. Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear? Open the gates: here's Gloster that would enter. Wood. [within.] Have patience, noble duke; I may not open :

The Cardinal of Winchester forbids.
From him I have express commandment
That thou, nor none of thine, shall be let in.
Glo. Faint hearted Woodville, prizest him
'fore me?

Arrogant Winchester, that haughty prelate, Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook?

Thou art no friend to God or to the King: Open the gates, or I'll shut thee out shortly. 1st Serv. Open the gates unto the Lord Protector,

Or we'll burst them open if that you come not quickly.

Enter WINCHESTER, attended by a Train of Servants in tawny coats.

Win. How now, ambitious Humphrey: what means this?

Glo. Peeled priest, dost thou command me to be shut out?

Win. I do, thou most usurping proditor, And not protector of the King or realm.

Glo. Stand back, thou manifest conspirator:
Thou that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord;
Thou that giv'st whores indulgences to sin :
I'll canvas thee in thy broad cardinal's hat,
If thou proceed in this thy insolence.
Win. Nay, stand thou back; I will not budge
a foot.

This be Damascus: be thou cursed Cain,
To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt.

Glo. I will not slay thee, but I'll drive thee

back.

Thy scarlet robes, as a child's bearing-cloth,
I'll use to carry thee out of this place.
Win. Do what thou dar'st: I beard thee
thy face.

Glo. What am I dared and bearded to my face?

Draw, men, for all this privilegéd place : Blue-coats to tawny-coats. Priest, beware your beard:

[GLOSTER and his men attack the Bishop.

I mean to tug it, and to cuff you soundly.
Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat:
In spite of pope or dignities of church,
Here by the cheeks I'll drag thee up and down.
Win. Gloster, thou 'lt answer this before the pope.

Glo. Winchester goose, I cry: a rope! a

rope!

Now beat them hence: why do you let them stay?

Thee I'll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep's array.

Out, tawny coats! out, scarlet hypocrite!

Here a great tumult. In the midst of it, enter

the Mayor of London, and Officers.

May. Fie, lords, that you, being supreme magistrates,

Thus contumeliously should break the peace! Glo. Peace, mayor; thou know'st little of my wrongs:

Here's Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king, Hath here distrained the Tower to his use.

Win. Here's Gloster too, a foe to citizens: One that still motions war, and never peace, O'ercharging your free purses with large fines: That seeks to overthrow religion, Because he is protector of the realm;

And would have armour here out of the Tower, To crown himself king, and suppress the prince. Glo. I will not answer thee with words, but blows.

[Here they skirmish again. May. Nought rests for me, in this tumultuous strife,

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"All manner of men, assembled here in arms this day, against God's peace and the King's, we charge and command you, in his highness' name, to repair to your several dwelling-places; and not to wear, handle, or use, any sword, weapon, or dagger, henceforward, upon pain of death."

Glo. Cardinal, I'll be no breaker of the law: But we shall meet, and break our minds at large.

Win. Gloster, we'll meet, to thy dear cost, be

sure:

Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work. May. I'll call for clubs, if you will not away.-

This cardinal is more haughty than the devil. Glo. Mayor, farewell: thou dost but what

thou mayst.

Win. Abominable Gloster! guard thy head; For I intend to have it ere long. [Exeunt.

May. See the coast cleared, and then we will depart.

Good God, that nobles should such stomachs bear!

I myself fight not once in forty year. [Exeunt.

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Chief master-gunner am I of this town;
Something I must do to procure me grace.
The prince's espials have informed me
How the English, in the suburbs close intrenched,
Wont, through a secret grate of iron bars
In yonder tower, to overpeer the city,

And thence discover how, with most advantage,
They may vex us with shot or with assault.
To intercept this inconvenience,

A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have placed;
And fully even these three days have I watched
If I could see them.

Now, do thou watch, for I can stay no longer.
If thou spy'st any, run and bring me word,
And thou shalt find me at the governor's. [Exit.
Son. Father, I warrant you; take you no care:
I'll never trouble you if I may spy them.

Enter, in an upper Chamber of a Tower, the
Lords SALISBURY and TALBOT, SIR WILLIAM
GLANSDALE, SIR THOMAS GARGRAVE, and
others.

Sal. Talbot, my life, my joy, again returned! How wert thou handled, being prisoner; Or by what means gott'st thou to be released? Discourse, I pr'y thee, on this turret's top.

Tal. The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner Called the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles : For him I was exchanged and ransoméd. But with a baser man of arms by far, Once, in contempt, they would have bartered me: Which I disdaining scorned, and cravéd death Rather than I would be so piled esteemed. In fine, redeemed I was as I desired. But O, the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart! Whom with my bare fists I would execute, If now I had him brought into my power.

Sal. Yet tell'st thou not how thou wert entertained.

Tal. With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts.

In open market-place produced they me,
To be a public spectacle to all:
"Here," said they," is the terror of the French;
The scarecrow that affrights our children so!"
Then broke I from the officers that led me,

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