In private will I talk with thee apart; awhile. Reig. She takes upon her bravely at first dash. Puc Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter, 1 My wit untrain'd in any kind of art. Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleas'd Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, My courage try by combat, if thou dar'st, terms; Only this proof I'll of thy valour make, Puc. I am prepar'd; here is my keen-edg'd sword, Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side; The which, at Touraine, in saint Katharine's church-yard, Out of a deal of old iron I chose forth. Char. Then come o'God's name, I fear no woman. Puc. And, while I live, I'll ne'er fly from a [They fight. Char. Stay, stay thy hands; thou art man. Amazon, And fightest with the sword of Deborah. an Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too weak. Char. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must help me: Impatiently I burn with thy desire; My heart and hands thou hast at once subdu'd. Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be; Char. Mean time, look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Reig. My Lord, methinks, is very long in talk. Alen. Doubtless, he shrives this woman to her smock; Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Reig. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean? Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do know: These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. Reig. My Lord, where are you? what devise you on? Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Puc. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard. Char. What she says, I'll confirm; we'll fight it out, Puc. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge. Glory is like a circle in the water, Now am I like that proud insulting ship, Alen. Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.' Reig. Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours; Drive them from Orleans, and be immortaliz❜d. Char. Presently we'll try: Come, let's away about it: No prophet will I trust, if she prove false. Exeunt. SCENE III. London. Hill before the Tower. Enter, at the Gates, the Duke of GLOSTER, with his Servingmen in blue coats. Glo. I am come to survey the Tower this day; Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance. Where be these warders, that they wait not here? Open the gates: it is Gloster that calls. [Servants knock. 1. Ward. [Within.] Who is there that knocks so imperiously? 1. Serv. It is the noble Duke of Gloster. 2. Ward. [Within.] Whoe'er he be, you may not be let in. 1. Serv. Villains, answer you so the lord 1. Ward. [Within.] Protector? The Lord protect him! We do no otherwise than we are will'd. Glo. Who willed you? or whose will stands, but mine? There's no Protector of the realm, but I. Break up the gates, I'll be your warrantize : Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms? Servants rush at the Tower gates. Enter, to the gates, WOODVILLE, the Lieutenant. Wood. [Within.] What noise is this? what traitors have we here? Glo. Lieutenant, is it you whose voice I hear? Open the gates; here's Gloster that would enter. Wood. [Within.] Have patience, noble Duke; I may not open; The Cardinal of Winchester forbids: From him I have express commandement, That thou, nor none of thiue, shall be let in. Glo. Faint-hearted Woodville, prizest him 'fore me? Arrogant Winchester? that haughty Prelate, Whom Henry, our late Sovereign ne'er could brook? Thou art no friend to God, or to the King: Open the gates, or I'll shut thee out shortly. 1. Serv. Open the gates unto the lord Protector; Or we'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly. Enter WINCHESTER, attended by a train of Servants in tawny coats. Win. How now, ambitious Humphry? what means this? Glo. Piel'd priest, dost thou command me to be shut out? Win. I do, thou most usurping proditor, And not Protector of the King or realm. Glo. Stand back, thou manifest conspirator; Thou, that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord; Thou, that giv'st whores indulgences to sin: I'll canvass the in thy broad Cardinal's hat, If thou proceed in this thy insolence. Win. Nay, stand thou back, I will budge a foot; This be Damascus, be thou cursed Cain, To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt. not |