That so her torture may be shortened. Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?— Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity; That warranteth by law to be thy privilege.- York. Now heaven forefend! the holy maid with child? War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought: Is all your strict preciseness come to this? York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling: I did imagine what would be her refuge. War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards live; Especially, since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceiv'd; my child is none of his; It was Alençon, that enjoy'd my love. York. Alençon! that notorious Machiavel! It dies, an if it had a thousand lives. Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you; 'Twas neither Charles, nor yet the duke I nam'd, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd. War. A married man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think, she knows not well, There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It's sign, she hath been liberal and free. York. And, yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure.Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee: Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. Puc. Then lead me hence;-with whom I leave my curse: May never glorious sun reflex his beams Drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves!* [Exit, guarded. York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to ashes, Thou foul accursed minister of hell! Enter Cardinal BEAUFORT, attended. Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, - till mischief, and despair, Drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves!] Perhaps Shakspeare intended to remark, in this execration, the frequency of suicide among the English, which has been commonly imputed to the gloominess of their air. JOHNSON. Enter CHARLES, attended; ALENÇON, Bastard, Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my poison'd voice, Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself? Adorn his temples with a coronet;2 And yet, in substance and authority, Retain but privilege of a private man? Char. 'Tis known, already that I am possess'd 1 baleful enemies.] Baleful is sorrowful; but it had anciently the same meaning as baneful. with a coronet;] Coronet is here used for a crown. That which I have, than, coveting for more, York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league; Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy, And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure serves. [Aside, to CHArles. War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand? Char. It shall: Only reserv'd, you claim no interest In any of our towns of garrison. York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty; As thou art knight, never to disobey, Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.[CHARLES, and the rest, give Tokens of fealty. 3 ·upon comparison?] Do you stand to compare your present state, a state which you have neither right or power to maintain, with the terms which we offer? Of benefit-] Benefit is here a term of law. Be content to live as the beneficiary of our king. JOHNSON. So, now dismiss your army when ye please; SCENE V. London. A Room in the Palace. [Exeunt. Enter King HENRY, in conference mith SUFFOLK; GLOSTER and EXETER following. K. Hen. Your wond'rous rare description, noble earl, Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me: Suf. Tush! my good lord! this superficial tale And, which is more, she is not so divine, K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume. So am I driven,] This simile is somewhat obscure; he seems to mean, that as a ship is driven against the tide by the wind, so he is driven by love against the current of his interest. JOHNSON. |