Bed. Agreed: I'll to yond corner. Bur. And I to this. Tal. And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave. Now, Salisbury, for thee, and for the right Sent. Arm! arm! the enemy doth make The French leap over the walls in their shirts. Enter, several ways, the BASTARD of Orleans, ALENÇON, and REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready. Alen. How now, my lords! what, all unready so? Bast. Unready! ay, and glad we 'scaped so well. Reig. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds, Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors. Alen. Of all exploits since first I follow'd arms, Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprise More venturous or desperate than this. Bast. I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell. Reig. If not of hell, the heavens, sure, favour him. Alen. Here cometh Charles: I marvel how he sped. Bast. Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard. Enter CHARLES and LA PUCELLE. Char. Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful 38. ready... unready, dressed . . . undressed. 40 50 Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal, Make us partakers of a little gain, That now our loss might be ten times so much? At all times will you have my power alike? Or will you blame and lay the fault on me? Char. Duke of Alençon, this was your default, 60 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, About relieving of the sentinels : 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 made. 70 75. rests, remains. 77. platforms, plots. 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. The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword; 80 [Exit. SCENE II. Orleans. Within the town. Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, BURGUNDY, a Captain, and others. Bed. The day begins to break, and night is Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth. Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury, Now have I paid my vow unto his soul; What ruin happen'd in revenge of him, The treacherous manner of his mournful death 10 I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace, Bed. 'Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight 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. Mess. All hail, my lords! princely train Which of this 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? Mess. The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown, By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe That she may boast she hath beheld the man Bur. Is it even so? Nay, then, I see our wars Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport, 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 20 30 40 Could not prevail with all their oratory, Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will: 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. 50 60 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, I shall as famous be by this exploit As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death. Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight, Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, 6. Tomyris, queen of the Scythian tribe of the Massagetæ, who defeated Cyrus' in ΙΟ vading force, and captured and slew himself (B. C. 529). |