Alen. Had all your quarters been as safely kept As that whereof I had the government, We had not been thus shamefully surprised. Bast. Mine was secure. Reig. And so was mine, my lord. Char. And, for myself, most part of all this night, Within her quarter and mine own precinct I was employ'd in passing to and fro, 70 Then how or which way should they first break in? Puc. Question, my lords, no further of the case, How or which way: 'tis sure they found some place But weakly guarded, where the breach was And now there rests no other shift but this; Alarum. Enter an English Soldier, crying 'A Talbot! a Talbot! They fly, leaving their clothes behind. Sold. I'll be so bold to take what they have left. 80 [Exit. 63. “your quarters”; “your,” so F. 1.; Ff. 2, 3, 4, “our”; “quarters"; so Ff. 1, 2, 3; F. 4, “Quarter.”—I. G. 77. Plans or schemes. The plot of a play was formerly called the platform.-H. N. H. 81. This retaking of Orleans is a fiction of the Poet's. In fact, little advance was made towards taking the city after the death Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, a Captain, and others. Bed. The day begins to break, and night is fled, Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth. Here sound retreat, and cease our hot pursuit. [Retreat sounded. Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury, Now have I paid my vow unto his soul; For every drop of blood was drawn from him night. And that hereafter ages may behold What ruin happen'd in revenge of him, A tomb, wherein his corpse shall be interr'd: 10 of Salisbury; though, according to Holinshed, Talbot, Fastolfe, and others, "caused bastilles to be made round about the citie, and left nothing unattempted, that might advance their purpose." Thenceforth the siege was turned into a blockade, but supplies and reinforcements were still received into the place. We are told that on one occasion the French, emboldened by success, made an assault on the bastille that was kept by Talbot; who "issued foorth against them, and gave them so sharp an incounter, that they, not able to withstand his puissance, fled like sheepe before the woolfe again into the citie." After "the maid" and her convoy entered the town, which was in April, 1429, the English did not stir from their entrenchments; and in May they gave over and withdrew.-H. N. H. Shall be engraved the sack of Orleans, The treacherous manner of his mournful death I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace, Nor any of his false confederates. 20 Bed. 'Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight be gan, For smoke and dusky vapors of the night, Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves That could not live asunder day or night. After that things are set in order here, 30 We'll follow them with all the power we have. Enter a Messenger. Mess. All hail, my lords! Which of this princely train Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts So much applauded through the realm of 19. "muse" marvel.-H. N. H. 20. "Arc," Rowe's emendation of "Acre" of Ff.-I. G. Tal. Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him? Mess. The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne, By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouch- To visit her poor castle where she lies, That she may boast she hath beheld the man Whose glory fills the world with loud report. Bur. Is it even so? Nay, then, I see our wars Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport, 40 50 When ladies crave to be encounter'd with. You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit. 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-ruled: And therefore tell her I return great thanks, And in submission will attend on her. Will not your honors bear me company? Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will: And I have heard it said, unbidden guests Are often welcomest when they are gone. Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, I mean to prove this lady's courtesy. Come hither, captain. [Whispers.] You perceive my mind? Capt. I do, my lord, and mean accordingly. 60 [Exeunt. 38. "Auvergne"; Rowe's emendation of F. 1, “Ouergne”; Ff. 2, 3, tr 'Auergne"; F. 4, "Avergne.”—I. G. 41. "Lies," that is, where she dwells.-H. N. H. כ ne SCENE III Auvergne. The Countess's castle. Enter 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, Enter Messenger and Talbot. Mess. Madam, According as your ladyship desired, 10 By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come. Count. And he is welcome. What! is this the man? Mess. Madam, it is. Count. Is this the scourge of France? Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad 6. “Tomyris,” queen of the Scythian tribe of the Massagetæ, who defeated Cyrus' invading force, and captured and slew himself (B.C. 529).-C. H. H. |