That, if it chance the one of us do fail, The other yet may rise against their force. Bur. And I to this. Tal. And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave. Now, Salisbury! for thee, and for the right [the English scale the walls, crying St. George! a Talbot!' and all enter by the town. Sen. [within.] Arm, arm; the enemy doth make assault! The French leap over the walls in their shirts. Enter, several ways, BASTARD, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, half ready and half unready. Alen. How now, my lords? what, all unready so? Bas. Unready? ay, and glad we 'scaped so well. Rei. '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. Bas. I think, this Talbot be a fiend of hell. Rei. If not of hell, the Heavens, sure, favor him. Alen. Here cometh Charles: I marvel, how he sped. Enter CHARLES and LA Pucelle. Bas. Tut! holy Joan was his defensive guard. Charles. Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame ? 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?— That, being captain of the watch to-night, We had not been thus shamefully surprised. Rei. And so was mine, my lord. Charles. 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? Pu. Question, my lords, no farther of the case, How, or which way; 'tis sure, they found some place But weakly guarded, where the breach was made, Alarum. Enter an ENGLISH SOLDIER crying, 'A Talbot! a Talbot!' They fly, leaving their clothes behind. Sol. I'll be so bold to take what they have left. The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword; For I have loaden me with many spoils, Using no other weapon but his name. [Exit. Enter TALBOT, bedford, BURGUNDY, α CAPTAIN, and others. Bed. The day begins to break, and night is fled, Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth. Here sound retreat, and cease our hot pursuit. [retreat sounded. Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury; Plans, schemes. Now have I paid my vow unto his soul; For every drop of blood was drawn from him, What ruin happen'd in revenge of him, I muse 1 we met not with the Dauphin's grace; Bed. 'Tis thought, lord Talbot, when the fight began, Roused on the sudden from their drowsy beds, 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. 1 Wonder. Enter MESSENGER. Mes. All hail, my lords! Which of this princely Call train 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? Mes. The virtuous lady, countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown, By me entreats, good lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe That she may boast, she hath beheld the man When ladies crave to be encounter'd with. You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit. men Could not prevail with all their oratory, Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled :— Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will : 1 Dwells. |