Out of the powerful regions under earth, Help me this once, that France may get the field. [They walk, and speak not. O, hold me not with silence over-long! Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, I'll lop a member off and give it you In earnest of a further benefit, So you do condescend to help me now. [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress? My body shall Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit. [They shake their heads. Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice Entreat you to your wonted furtherance? Then take my soul, my body, soul and all, Before that England give the French the foil. [They depart. 20 See, they forsake me! Now the time is come That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest And let her head fall into England's lap. My ancient incantations are too weak, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [Exit. Excursions. Re-enter LA PUCELLE fighting hand to hand with YORK: LA PUCELLE is taken. The French fly. York. Damsel of France, I think I have you fast: 30 Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms And try if they can gain your liberty. A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace! See, how the ugly wench doth bend her brows, As if with Circe she would change my shape! Puc. Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be. York. O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; No shape but his can please your dainty eye. Puc. A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee! oner. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. [Exeunt. Alarum. Enter SUFFOLK, with MARGARET in his hand. Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my pris[Gazes on her. O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly! For I will touch thee but with reverent hands; I kiss these fingers for eternal peace, And lay them gently on thy tender side. Who art thou? say, that I may honor thee. Mar. Margaret my name, and daughter to a king, 51 The King of Naples, whosoe'er thou art. So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. Mar. Say, Earl of Suffolk—if thy name be I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: tush, that's a wooden thing! Mar. He talks of wood: it is some carpenter. Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms. But there remains a scruple in that too; For though her father be the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match. 90 Suf. His love. What? 120 Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. Suf. No, gentle madam; I unworthy am To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, And have no portion in the choice myself. And, madam, at your father's castle walls See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner ! Reig. Suf. Reig. To me. Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep, Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness. Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Consent, and for thy honor give consent, Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto; And this her easy-held imprisonment Command in Anjou what your honor pleases. Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, Fit to be made companion with a king: Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [Going. Suf. Farewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret; No princely commendations to my king? Mar, Such commendations as becomes a maid, A virgin and his servant, say to him. Suf. Words sweetly placed and modestly directed. But, madam, I must trouble you again; 180 Mar. Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart, Never yet taint with love, I send the king. [Kisses her Mar. That for thyself: I will not so pre sume To send such peevish tokens to a king. [Exeunt Reignier and Margaret. Suf. O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay; 190 Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth; Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with won- SCENE IV. Camp of the DUKE OF YORK in Anjou. Enter YORK, WARWICK, and others. York. Bring forth that sorceress condemn' to burn. Enter LA PUCELLE, guarded, and a Shepherd. Shep. Ah, Joan, this kills thy father's heart outright! Have I sought every country far and near, Puc. Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch ! Shep. Out, out! My lords, an please you, 'tis not so; I did beget her, all the parish knows : 10 She was the first fruit of my bachelorship. War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? York. This argues what her kind of life hath been, Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes. Shep. Fie, Joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle! God knows thou art a collop of my flesh; Puc. Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn'd this man, Of purpose to obscure my noble birth. Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest The morn that was wedded to her mother. Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl. Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time Of thy nativity! I would the milk Thy mother gave thee when thou suck'dst her breast, Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake! Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs afield, I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee! 30 [Exit. York. Take her away; for she hath lived too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities. Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have condemn'd: Not me begotten of a shepherd swain, 50 Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven. Spare for no faggots, let there be enow: Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts ? 60 Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity, 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'll have no bastards live; 70 Especially since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceived; 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. Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you: 'Twas neither Charles nor yet the duke I named, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd. War. A married man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think she knows not well, 80 There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It's 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. Puc. 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 90 Environ you, till mischief and despair Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves! [Exit, guarded. York. Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes, Thou foul accursed minister of hell! Enter CARDINAL BEAUFORT, Bishop of Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence broils, Have earnestly implored a general peace Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French; 110 Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace ? It shall be with such strict and severe covenants As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby. Enter CHARLES, ALENÇON, Bastard, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, Car. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: That, in regard King Henry gives consent, To ease your country of distressful war, 130 Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself? Adorn his temples with a coronet, Char. 'Tis known already that I am possess'd With more than half the Gallian territories, York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league, Of benefit proceeding from our king Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure SCENE V. London. The palace. Enter SUFFOLK in conference with the KING, GLOUCESTER and EXETER. King. Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me: Do breed love's settled passions in my heart : 10 Is but a preface of her worthy praise; Her father is no better than an earl, Although in glorious titles he excel. 40 Suf. Yes, my lord, her father is a king, The King of Naples and Jerusalem; And of such great authority in France As his alliance will confirm our peace And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance. Glou. And so the Earl of Armagnac may do. Because he is near kinsman unto Charles. Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower, Where 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, And not to seek a queen to make him rich : 60 Whom should we match with Henry, being a king. But Margaret, that is daughter to a king? 80 My noble Lord of Suffolk, or for that Agree to any covenants, and procure That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come As did the youthful Paris once to Greece, king; But I will rule both her. the king and realm. [Exit. 1 |