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; Alen. They want their porridge, and their fat bullbeeves: Either they must be dieted like mules, And have their provender tyed to their mouths, Reig. Let's raise the siege; Why live we idly here? Him I forgive my death, that killeth me, When he sees me go back one foot, or fly. [Exeunt. Alarums; Excursions; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter CHARLES, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, and Others. Char. Who ever saw the like? what men have Dogs! cowards! dastards!-I would ne'er have fled, Alen. Froissard, a countryman of ours, records, England all Olivers and Rowlands bred, During the time Edward the third did reign. For none but Samsons, and Goliasses, It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hairbrain'd slaves, And hunger will enforce them to be more eager : Of old I know them; rather with their teeth Alen. Be it so. 6 i. e. The prey for which they are hungry. 7 A gimmal is a piece of jointed work, where one piece moves within another; here it is taken at large for an engine. 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? appall'd; Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence? 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. Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome; What's past, and what's to come, she can descry. Char. Go, call her in: [Exit Bastard.] But, first, to try her skill, Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place: Enter LA PUCELLE, Bastard of Orleans, and Others. 1 Reig. Fair maid, is't thou wilt do these wond'rous feats? Puc. Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to beguile me? This was not in former times a term of reproach. 9 Countenance. Where is the Dauphin?-come, come from behind; Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleas'd Will'd me to leave my base vocation, And free my country from calamity: Be firmly persuaded of it. Otherwise, I renounce all confidence. Puc. I am prepar'd: here is my keen-edg'd sword, Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side; The which at Touraine, in Saint Katharine's church yard, Out of a deal of old iron I chose forth. Char. Then come o'God's name, I fear no wo man. 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 subdu'd. Then will I think upon a recompense. Char. Mean time, look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Reig. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk. Alen. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock; Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Reig. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean? |