Retiring from the siege of Orleans, To keep the horsemen off from breaking in. Hundreds he sent to hell, and none durst stand him; A base Walloon, to win the dauphin's grace, Whom all France, with their chief assembled strength, Bed. Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself, 3 Mess. O, no; he lives; but is took prisoner, And lord Scales with him, and lord Hungerford; Most of the rest slaughtered, or took, likewise. Bed. His ransom there is none but I shall pay. 3 Mess. So you had need; for Orleans is besieged; The English army is grown weak and faint; The earl of Salisbury craveth supply, And hardly keeps his men from mutiny, Since they, so few, watch such a multitude. Exe. Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn, Either to quell the dauphin utterly, Or bring him in obedience to your yoke. Bed. I do remember it; and here take leave, To go about my preparation. [Exit. Glo. I'll to the Tower, with all the haste I can, To view the artillery and munition; And then I will proclaim young Henry king. [Exit. Exe. To Eltham will I, where the young king is, Being ordained his special governor; And for his safety there I'll best devise. [Exit. Win. Each hath his place and function to attend; I am left out; for me nothing remains. But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office; The king from Eltham I intend to steal, And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. [Exit. Scene closes. SCENE II. France. Before Orleans. Enter CHARLES, with his Forces; ALENÇON, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens, So in the earth, to this day is not known. Late did he shine upon the English side; Otherwhiles, the famished English, like pale ghosts, Alen. They want their porridge, and their fat bull-beeves. Either they must be dieted like mules, And have their provender tied to their mouths, Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice. Reig. Let's raise the siege; why live we idly here? Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear. Remaineth none but mad-brained Salisbury; Char. Sound, sound alarum; we will rush on them. Now for the honor of the forlorn French.- [Exeunt. Alarums; Excursions; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter CHARLES, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Who ever saw the like? what men have I? Dogs! cowards! dastards!-I would ne'er have fled, But that they left me 'midst my enemies. Reig. Salisbury is a desperate homicide; He fighteth as one weary of his life. Alen. Froissard, a countryman of ours, records, It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Lean, raw-boned rascals! who would e'er suppose They had such courage and audacity? Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hair-brained slaves, And hunger will enforce them to be more eager. Enter the Bastard of Orleans. Bast. Where's the prince dauphin? I have news for him. Char. Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. Bast. Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appalled. Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence? Be not dismayed, for succor is at hand. A holy maid hither with me I bring, Which, by a vision sent to her from Heaven, And drive the English forth the bounds of France. What's past, and what's to come, she can descry. Speak; shall I call her in? Believe my words. Char. Go, call her in. [Exit Bastard.] But, first, to try her skill, -- Reignier, stand thou as dauphin in my place. In private will I talk with thee apart. Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. Puc. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter; My wit untrained in any kind of art. Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleased Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, Char. Thou hast astonished me with thy high terms; Only this proof I'll of thy valor make. In single combat thou shalt buckle with me; Puc. I am prepared; here is my keen-edged sword, Decked with five flower-de-luces on each side; The which at Touraine, in Saint Katharine's churchyard, Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth. Char. Then come, o' God's name; 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. Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too weak. Char. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must help me. Impatiently I burn with thy desire; My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued. Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be; Char. Mean time, look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Reig. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean? Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do know: These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. 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. Assigned am I to be the English scourge. This night the siege assuredly I'll raise: Expect saint Martin's summer, halcyon days, Glory is like a circle in the water, Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to nought. Now am I like that proud, insulting ship, Thou with an eagle art inspired then. |