As fitting beft to quittance their deceit, Defpairing of his own arms fortitude, But what's that Pucelle whom they term fo pure? Bed. A maid? and be fo martial ? Bur. Pray God fhe prove not mafculine ere long, If underneath the standard of the French She carry armour as the hath begun. Tal. Well, let them practife and converfe with fpirits, God is our fortrefs, in whofe conqu'ring name Let us refolve to scale their flinty bulwarks. Bed. Afcend, brave Talbot, we will follow thee. That we do make our entrance feveral ways: The other yet may rife against their force. Bed. Agreed; I'll to yon corner. Bur. I to this. Tal. And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave. Now Salisbury! for thee and for the right Of English Henry, fhall this night appear How much in duty I am bound to both. Cent. Arm, arm; the doth make affault. enemy [Cry, St. George ! A Talbot! SCENE II. The French leap o'er the walls in their fhirts. Enter feveral ways, Baftard, Alanfon, Reignier, half ready and half unready. Alan. How now, my lords? what all unready fo? Reig. Reig. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds, Hearing alarums at our chamber doors. Alan. Of all exploits fince firft I follow'd arms, Baft. I think this Talbot is a fiend of hell. Enter Charles and Joan. Baft. Tut, holy Joan was his defenfive guard. Char. Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame? Didft thou at first, to flatter us withal, Make us partakers of a little gain; That now our lofs might be ten times fo much? Pucel. Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend? Or will you blame and lay the fault on me? Alan. Had all our quarters been as fafely kept, Reig. And fo was mine, my lord. Char. And for my felf, moft part of all this night Then how or which way fhould they firft break in? B 2 Το To gather foldiers, fcatter'd and disperst, Alarum. SCENE III. [Exeunt. Enter a Soldier crying, a Talbot! a Talbot! they fly, leaving their clothes behind. Sol. I'll be fo bold to take what they have left: The of Talbot ferves me for a fword, cry For I have loaden me with many fpoils, Uling no other weapon but his name. Enter Talbot, Bedford, and Burgundy. Bed. The day begins to break, and night is fled, Whofe pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth. [Exit. Here found retreat, and ceafe our hot purfuit. [Retreat. And here advance it in the market place, What ruin happen'd in revenge of him, A tomb, wherein his corps fhall be interr'd : The treacherous manner of his mournful death, I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace, Bed. 'Tis thought, lord Talbot, when the fight began, Bur. Bur. My felf, as far as I could well difcern After that things are fet in order here, We'll follow them with all the pow'r we have. Enter a Meffenger Meff. All hail, my lords; which of this princely trai Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts So much applauded through the realm of France? By me intreats, great lord, thou would'ft vouchfafe Bur. Is it ev'n fo? nay, then I fee our wars Tal. Ne'er truft me then; for when a world of men Could not prevail with all their oratory, Yet hath a woman's kindness over-rul'd: Will not your honours bear me company? Tal. Well then, alone, fince there's no remedy, I mean to prove this lady's courtesy. Come hither captain, you perceive my mind. [Whispers.. Capt. I do, my lord, and mean accordingly. [Exeunt. Count. SCENE IV. The Countess of Auvergne's Castle. Enter the Countess and her Porter. ORTER, remember what I gave in charge, PORS to me. Port. Madam, I will. [Exit. Count. The plot is laid: if all things fall out right, I fhall 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 witnefs with mine ears, Enter Meffenger and Talbot. Meff. Madam, according as your ladyfhip By meffage crav'd, fo is lord Talbot come. Count. And he is welcome; what is this the man? Meff. Madam, it is. Count. Is this the fcourge of France ? Is this the Talbot fo much fear'd abroad, That with his name the mothers ftill their babes? I fee report is fabulous and falfe. I thought I fhould have feen fome Hercules, It cannot be, this weak and writhled Shrimp Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you : But fince your lady ship is not at leisure, Count. |