Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab? O, burn her, burn her; hanging is too good. [Exit. York. Take her away; for she hath liv'd too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities. Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have condemn'd : To work exceeding miracles on earth. Chaste and immaculate in very thought; That so her torture may be shortened. Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts ?Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity; That warranteth by law to be thy privilege. I am with child, ye bloody homicides: Murder not then the fruit within my womb, Although ye hale me to a violent death. York. Now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child? War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought; Is all your strict preciseness come to this? York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling : I did imagine what would be her refuge. War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards live; Especially, since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceiv'd; my child is none of his ; It was Alençon, that enjoy'd my love. York. Alençon ! that notorious Machiavel! It dies, an if it had a thousand lives. [8] No, ye misconceivers, ye who mistake me and my qualities. STEE. Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you; 'Tis neither Charles, nor yet the duke I nam'd, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd. War. A marry'd man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think, she knows not well, There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It is a sign, she hath been liberal and free. York. And, yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure.Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee: Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. Pu.Then lead me hence;-with whom I leave my curse: May never glorious sun reflex his beams Upon the country where you make abode ! But darkness and the gloomy shade of death Environ you; till mischief, and despair, Drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves !9 Enter Cardinal BEAUFORT, attended. York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, It shall be with such strict and severe covenants, As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby. [9] Perhaps Shakspeare intended to remark, in this execration, the fre quency of suicide among the English, which has been commonly imputed. to the gloominess of their air. JOHNS. Enter CHARLES, attended; ALENÇON, Bastard, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my poison'd voice, By sight of these our baleful enemies.' Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself? And yet, in substance and authority, Char. 'Tis known already, that I am possess'd York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league ; And, now the matter grows to compromise, Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison? [1] Baleful had anciently the same meaning as baneful. It is an epithet very frequently bestowed on poisonous plants and reptiles. STEEV. [2] Benefit,a term of law. Be content to live as the beneficiary of our king. JOHNS, To cavil in the course of this contract: Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy, And therefore take this compact of a truce, Only reserv'd, you claim no interest In any of our towns of garrison ? York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty ; Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, [stand? [CHARLES and the rest give tokens of fealty. So, now dismiss your army when you please; Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still, For here we entertain a solemn peace. SCENE V. [Exeunt. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter King HENRY, in conference with SUFFOLK; GLOSTER and EXETER following. K.Hen. Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me: Her virtues, graced with external gifts, Do breed love's settled passions in my heart: Suf. Tush my good lord! this superficial tale And, which is more, she is not so divine, Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents, K.Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume. How shall we then dispense with that contract, A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds, And therefore may be broke without offence. Glo. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that? Her father is no better than an earl, Although in glorious titles he excel. Suf. Yes, my good lord, her father is a king, Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant liberal dower; While Reignier sooner will receive, than give. Suf. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king, That he should be so abject, base, and poor, To choose for wealth, and not for perfect love. And not to seek a queen to make him rich: Not whom we will, but whom his grace affects, 8 |