Rather than I would be so vile-esteem'd.(45) In fine, redeem'd I was as I desir'd. But, O, the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart! If I now had him brought into my power. Sal. Yet tell'st thou not how thou wert entertain'd. Here, said they, is the terror of the French, My grisly countenance made others fly; None durst come near for fear of sudden death. In iron walls they deem'd me not secure; So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread, Sal. I grieve to hear what torments you endur'd; But we will be reveng'd sufficiently. Now it is supper-time in Orleans: Here, through this secret grate, I count each one," (46) Let us look in; the sight will much delight thee.- Where is best place to make our battery next. Gar. I think, at the north gate; for there stand lords. Glan. And I, here, at the bulwark of the bridge. Tal. For aught I see, this city must be famish'd, Or with light skirmishes enfeebled. [Shot from the town. Salisbury and Sir Thomas Gargrave fall. Sal. O Lord, have mercy on us, wretched sinners! Gar. O Lord, have mercy on me, woful man! Tal. What chance is this that suddenly hath cross'd us?Speak, Salisbury; at least, if thou canst speak: How far'st thou, mirror of all martial men? One of thy eyes and thy cheek's side struck off! Accursed tower! accursèd fatal hand That hath contriv'd this woful tragedy! In thirteen battles Salisbury o'ercame; eye Henry the Fifth he first train'd to the wars; He beckons with his hand, and smiles on me, As who should say, "When I am dead and gone, Remember to avenge me on the French."- [Thunder heard; afterwards an alarum. What stir is this? what tumult's in the heavens ? Whence cometh this alarum and this(49) noise? Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, my lord, the French have gather'd head: The Dauphin, with one Joan la Pucelle join'd, A holy prophetess new risen up, Is come with a great power to raise the siege. [Salisbury lifts himself up and groans. Tal. Hear, hear how dying Salisbury doth groan! It irks his heart he cannot be reveng'd.— Frenchmen, I'll be a Salisbury to you : Pucelle or puzzel, dolphin or dogfish, Your hearts I'll stamp out with my horse's heels, Then we'll try what these dastard Frenchmen dare.(50) [Exeunt, bearing out the bodies. SCENE V. Before one of the gates of Orleans. Alarums. Skirmishings. Enter TALBOT, pursuing the Dauphin, drives him in, and exit: then enter LA PUCELLE, driving Englishmen before her, and exit after them: then re-enter TALBOT. Tal. Where is my strength, my valour, and my force? Our English troops retire, I cannot stay them; A woman clad in armour chaseth them. Here, here she comes. Re-enter LA PUCELLE. I'll have a bout with thee; Devil or devil's dam, I'll conjure thee: Blood will I draw on thee,-thou art a witch, Puc. Come, come, 'tis only I that must disgrace thee. [They fight. Tal. Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail? My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage, And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder, But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet. [They fight again. Puc. [retiring] Talbot, farewell; thy hour is not yet come: I must go victual Orleans forthwith. O'ertake me, if thou canst; I scorn thy strength. Go, go cheer up thy hunger-starved men ;(51) Help Salisbury to make his testament: This day is ours, as many more shall be. [La Pucelle enters the town with Soldiers. Tal. My thoughts are whirlèd like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am, nor what I do: A witch by fear, not force, like Hannibal, [A short alarum. Drives back our troops, and conquers as she lists: As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves. (52) [Alarum. Another skirmish. It will not be :-retire into your trenches : In spite of us or aught that we could do. O, would I were to die with Salisbury! The shame hereof will make me hide my head. [Alarum; retreat. Exeunt Talbot and Forces. Flourish. Enter, on the walls, LA PUCELLE, CHARLES, the Bastard of Orleans, REIGNIER, ALENÇON, and Soldiers. Puc. Advance our waving colours on the walls; Rescu'd is Orleans from the English : Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word. Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens, That one day bloom'd, and fruitful were the next.- More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state. Reig. Why ring not out the bells throughout the town ?(55) Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires, And feast and banquet in the open streets, To celebrate the joy that God hath given us. Alen. All France will be replete with mirth and joy, When they shall hear how we have play'd the men. Char. 'Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won; For which I will divide my crown with her; After this golden day of victory. (57) [Flourish. Exeunt. ACT II. SCENE I. France. Before Orleans. Enter, to the gate, a French Sergeant and two Sentinels. Serg. Sirs, take your places, and be vigilant : If any noise or soldier you perceive Near to the walls, by some apparent sign Let us have knowledge at the court-of-guard. First Sent. Sergeant, you shall. [Exit Sergeant.] Thus are poor servitors— When others sleep upon their quiet beds Constrain'd to watch in darkness, rain, and cold. Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, BURGUNDY, and Forces, with scalingladders, their drums beating a dead march. Tal. Lord regent, and redoubted Burgundy,— By whose approach the regions of Artois, This happy night the Frenchmen are secure, |