Tal. My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am, nor what I do : A witch, by fear, not force, like Hannibal, Drives back our troops, and conquers as the lifts: So bees with smoke, and doves with noisome stench, Are from their hives, and houses, driven away. They call'd us, for our fiercenefs, English dogs; Now, like to whelps, we crying run away. [A short alarum, Hark, countrymen! either renew the fight, [Alarum. Another firmife. It will not be :-Retire into your trenches: For none would ftrike a ftroke in his revenge.- 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 his forces, &c. SCENE VI. The fame. Enter, on the walls, PUCELLE, CHARLES, REIGNIER, ALENÇON, and foldiers. Puc. Advance our waving colours on the walls; Refcu'd is Orleans from the English wolves:Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word. Char. Divineft creature, bright Aftræa's daughter, How fhall I honour thee for this fuccefs? Thy promifes are like Adonis' gardens, That one day bloom'd, and fruitful were the next.- More bleffed hap did ne'er befall our state. Reig. Why ring not out the bells throughout the town? Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires, Alen. All France will be replete with mirth and joy, When they fhall 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 : And all the priests and friars in my realm Shall, in proceffion, fing her endless praise A ftatelier pyramis to her I'll rear, Than Rhodope's, or Memphis', ever was: In memory of her, when the is dead, Her afhes, in an urn more precious Than the rich-jewel'd coffer of Darius, Transported fhall be at high festivals Before the kings and queens of France. No longer on faint Dennis will we cry, But Joan la Pucelle fhall be France's faint. Come in; and let us banquet royally, After this golden day of victory. [Flourish. Exeunt. ACT ACT II. SCENE I. The fame. Enter to the gates, a French Sergeant, and two Sentinels. Serg. Sirs, take your places, and be vigilant: If any noise, or foldier, you perceive, Near to the walls, by fome apparent sign, Let us have knowledge at the court of guard. 1 Sent. Sergeant, you shall. [Exit. Sergeant.] Thus are poor fervitors (When others fleep upon their quiet beds,) Conftrain'd to watch in darkness, rain, and cold. Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, BURGUNDY, and Forces, with fcaling ladders; their drums beating a dead march. Tal. Lord regent,—and redoubted Burgundy,— As fitting beft to quittance their deceit, Bed. Coward of France!-how much he wrongs his fame, Defpairing of his own arm's fortitude, To join with witches, and the help of hell. Bur. Traitors have never other company. But what's that Pucelle, whom they term fo pure? Tal. A maid, they fay. Bed. A maid and be fo martial! Bur. Pray God, fhe prove not masculine ere long; If underneath the ftandard of the French, She carry armour, as the hath begun. Tal. Well, let them practise and converse with spirits: God is our fortrefs; in whofe conquering name, Let us refolve to fcale their flinty bulwarks. Bed. Afcend, brave Talbot; we will follow thee. Tal. Not all together: better far, I guess, That we do make our entrance feveral ways; The other yet may rife 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 Of English Henry, fhall this night appear How much in duty I am bound to both. [The English Scale the walls, crying St. George! a Talbot! and all enter by the town. Sent. [Within.] Arm, arm! the enemy doth make affault! The French leap over the walls in their shirts. Enter, feveral ways, BASTARD, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready. Alen. How now, my lords? what, all unready fo? Reig. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake, and leave our beds, Hearing alarums at our chamber doors. Alen. Of all exploits, fince firft I follow'd arms, 6 Ne'er |