I'll either make thee stoop, and bend thy knee, SCENE II. France. Plains in Anjou. [Exeunt. Enter CHARLES, Burgundy, ALENÇON, LA PUCELLE, and Forces, marching. Char. These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits. 'T is said, the stout Parisians do revolt, And turn again unto the warlike French. Alen. Then, march to Paris, royal Charles of France, And keep not back your powers in dalliance. Puc. Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us; Else ruin combat with their palaces! Scout. Enter a Scout. Success unto our valiant general, And happiness to his accomplices! Char. What tidings send our scouts? I pr'ythee, speak. Into two parties, is now conjoin'd in one, And means to give you battle presently. Char. Somewhat too sudden, Sirs, the warning is; But we will presently provide for them. Bur. I trust, the ghost of Talbot is not there: Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear. Puc. Of all base passions fear is most accurs'd. Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine; Let Henry fret, and all the world repine. Char. Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate! SCENE III. The Same. Before Angiers. Alarums: Excursions. Enter LA PUCELLE. Puc. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. [Exeunt. Now help, ye charming spells, and periapts; And ye, choice spirits, that admonish me, Enter Fiends. This speedy and quick appearance argues proof Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd Help me this once, that France may get the field. [Thunder. [They walk, and speak not. O! hold me not with silence over-long. So you do condescend to help me now. No hope to have redress? - My body shall [They hang their heads. [They shake their heads. Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, [They depart. Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [Exit. Alarums. Enter French and English, fighting; LA PUCELLE and YORK fight hand to hand. LA PUCELLE is taken. The French fly. York. Damsel of France, I think, I have you fast: Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms, See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows, Puc. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be. Puc. A plaguing mischief light on Charles, and thee! And may ye both be suddenly surpris'd By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds! York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy tongue. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. [Exeunt. Alarums. Enter SUFFOLK, leading in Lady MARgaret. O, fairest beauty! do not fear, nor fly, For I will touch thee but with reverent hands: [Gazes on her. I kiss these fingers [Kissing her hand] for eternal peace, Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee. Mar. Margaret my name, and daughter to a king, The king of Naples, whosoe'er thou art. Suf. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd. Be not offended, nature's miracle, Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me: So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, [She turns away as going. O, stay! I have no power to let her pass; So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner? Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough. For, I perceive, I am thy prisoner. Suf. How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit, Before thou make a trial of her love? [Aside. Mar. Why speak'st thou not? what ransom must I pay? Suf. She's beautiful, and therefore to be woo'd; She is a woman, therefore to be won. [Aside. Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no? Then, how can Margaret be thy paramour? [Aside. Mar. I were best to leave him, for he will not hear. Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? [Aside. Mar. What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a knight, And will not any way dishonour me. [Aside. Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. And then I need not crave his courtesy. [Aside. Suf. Sweet Madam, give me hearing in a cause Mar. Tush! women have been captivate ere now. Mar. I cry you mercy, 't is but quid for quo. Suf. Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a queen? Mar. To be a queen in bondage is more vile Than is a slave in base servility, For princes should be free. Suf. And so shall you, If happy England's royal king be free. Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? To put a golden sceptre in thy hand, And set a precious crown upon thy head, If thou wilt condescend to be my Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, Mar. An if my father please, I am content. His love. Suf. Then, call our captains, and our colours forth! And, Madam, at your father's castle walls We'll crave a parley, to confer with him. [Aside. [Troops come forward. A Parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER, on the Walls. Suf. See, Reignier, see thy daughter prisoner. |