You speedy helpers, that are substitutes Enter Fiends.. This speedy and quick appearance argues proof Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd Out of the powerful regions under earth, Help me this once, that France may get the field. [They walk about, and speak not, O, hold me not with silence over-long! Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, I'll lop a member off, and give it you, In earnest of a further benefit; So you do condescend to help me now. [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress?-My body shall [They shake their heads. wonted furtherance? Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, you to your Then take my soul; my body, soul, and all, Before that England give the French the foil. See! they forsake me. [They depart. Now the time is come, That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest, And let her head fall into England's lap. My ancient incantations are too weak, And hell too strong for me to buckle with :- LA York. Damsel of France, I think, I have you fast : Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms, And try if they can gain your liberty.— A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace! See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows, As if, with Circe, she would change my shape. Puc. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be. York. O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; No shape but his can please your dainty eye. Puc. A plaguing mischief light on Charles, and thee! And may ye both be suddenly surpriz'd By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds! York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy tongue. Puc. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a while. York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. [Exeunt. Alarums. Enter SUFFOLK, leading in lady MAR GARET. Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. [Gazes on her. O fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly; For I will touch thee but with reverent hands, And lay them gently on thy tender side. 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, Go, and be free again, as Suffolk's friend. says-no. [She turns away as going. Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner? Ay; beauty's princely majesty is such, Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough. Mar. Say, earl of Suffolk,-if thy name be so, What ransom must I pay before I pass ? 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? Suf. Fond man! remember, that thou hast a wife; Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? [Aside. Mar. I were best to leave him, for he will not hear. Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card. Mar. He talks at random; sure, the man is mad. Suf. And yet a dispensation may be had. Mar. And yet I would that you would answer me. Suf. I'll win this lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: Tush! that's a wooden thing. Mar. He talks of wood: It is some carpenter. Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfy'd, And peace established between these realms. But there remains a scruple in that too: For though her father be the king of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match. [Aside. Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? Suf. It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much : Henry is youthful, and will quickly yield.— Madam, I have a secret to reveal. |