Char. Bastard' of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. Bast. Methinks, your looks are sad, your cheer' appall'd ; Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence? Which, by a vision sent to her from heaven, And drive the English forth the bounds of France. Char. Go, call her in: [Exit Bastard.] But, first, to try her skill, Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place: [Retires. Enter LA PUCELLE, Bastard of Orleans, and others. Reig. Fair maid, is't thou wilt do these wond'rous feats? Puc. Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to beguile me? Where is the Dauphin?—come, come from behind; Stand back, you lords, and give us leave a while. 7 This was not in former times a term of reproach. 8 Countenance. My wit untrain❜d in any kind of art. Heaven, and our lady gracious, hath it pleas'd Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks, Will'd me to leave my base vocation, Char. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms; Only this proof I'll of thy valour make, Puc. I am prepar'd: here is my keen-edg'd sword, Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side; yard, Out of a deal of old iron I chose forth. Char. Then come on damsel, I fear no woman. Puc. And, while I live, I'll ne'er fly from a man. [They fight. Char. Stay, stay thy hands; thou art an Amazon, And fightest with the sword of Deborah. Be firmly persuaded of it. Puc. Christ's mother helps me,' else I were too weak. Char. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must help me : My heart and hands thou hast at once subdu’d. Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be; Char. Mean time, look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Reig. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk. Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do know : Reig. My lord, where are you? what devise you on? Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Puc. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! . Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard. Char. What she says, I'll confirm; we'll fight it out. Puc. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge. Glory is like a circle in the water, Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to nought. Thou with an eagle art inspired then. › Expect prosperity after misfortune. Helen, the mother of great Constantine, Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters', were like thee. Alen. Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege. Reig. Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours; Drive them from Orleans, and be immortaliz❜d. Char. Presently we'll try:-Come, let's away about it: No prophet will I trust, if she prove false. [Exeunt. SCENE III. London. Hill before the Tower. Enter, at the Gates, the Duke of GLOSTER, with his Serving-men, in blue Coats. Glo. I am come to survey the Tower this day; Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance3 Where be these warders, that they wait not here? Open the gates; Gloster it is that calls. [Servants knock. 1 Ward. [Within.] Who is there that knocks so imperiously? 1 Serv. It is the noble duke of Gloster. 2 Ward. [Within.] Whoe'er he be, you may not be let in. 1 Serv. Answer you so the lord protector, villains? 1 Ward. [Within.] The lord protect him! so we answer him: We do no otherwise than we are will'd. Glo. Who willed you? or whose will stands, but mine? 2 Meaning the four daughters of Philip mentioned in Acts xxi. 9. 3 Theft. There's none protector of the realm, but I.- Servants rush at the Tower Gates. Enter, to the Wood. [Within.] What noise is this? what traitors have we here? Glo. Lieutenant, is it you, whose voice I hear? Open the gates; here's Gloster, that would enter. Wood. [Within.] Have patience, noble duke; I may not open; The cardinal of Winchester forbids: From him I have express commandment, Glo. Faint-hearted Woodville, prizest him 'fore me? Arrogant Winchester? that haughty prelate, Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook? Thou art no friend to Heaven or to the king: 1 Serv. Open the gates unto the lord protector; Or we'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly. Enter WINCHESTER, attended by a Train of Servants in tawny Coats. Win. How now, ambitious Humphry? what means this? Glo. Piel'd priest, dost thou command me to be shut out? Win. I do, thou most usurping proditors, And not protector of the king or realm. Glo. Stand back; thou manifest conspirator; Thou that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord: 4 Alluding to his shaven crown. 5 Traitor. |