Tal. Ne'er trust me then; for, when a world of men Could not prevail with all their oratory, Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will : Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, Come hither, captain. [Whispers.]-You perceive my mind. Capt. I do, my lord; and mean accordingly. SCENE III. [Exeunt. Auvergne, Court of the Castle. Enter the Countess and her Porter. Count. Porter, remember what I gave in charge; And, when you have done so, brings the keys to me. Port. Madam, I will. [Exit. Count. The plot is laid: if all things fall out right, I shall as famous be by this exploit, As Scythian Thomyris by Cyrus' death. Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, Enter Messenger and TALBOT. Mess. Madam, According as your ladyship desir'd, By message crav'd, so is lord Talbot come. Count. And he is welcome. What! is this the man? Mess. Madam, it is. Count. Is this the scourge of France Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad, That with his name the mothers still their babes? I see, report is fabulous and false: I thought, I should have seen some Hercules, A second Hector, for his grim aspect, And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs. It cannot be, this weak and writhled shrimp Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you : I'll sort some other time to visit you. Count. What means he now!-Go ask him, whither he goes. Mess. Stay, my lord Talbot; for my lady craves To know the cause of your abrupt departure. Tal. Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief, I go to certify her, Talbot's here. Re-enter Porter, with keys. Count. If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. Count. To me, blood-thirsty lord; But now the substance shall endure the like; Count. Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. Tal. I laugh to see your ladyship so fond, To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow, Count. Why, art not thou the man? I am indeed. Count. Then have I substance too. I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here, Your roof were not sufficient to contain it. Count. This is a riddling merchant for the nonce; He will be here, and yet he is not here: He winds á horn. Drums heard; then a peal of ord- nance. How say you, madam? are you now persuaded, These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength, Count. Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse: I did not entertain thee as thou art. Tal. Be not dismay'd, fair lady; nor misconstrue The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake The outward composition of his body. What you have done, hath not offended me: But only (with your patience,) that we may Count. With all my heart; and think me honoured To feast so great a warrior in my house. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. London. The Temple Garden. Enter the Earls of SOMERSET, SUFFOLK, and WARWICK; RICHARD PLANTAGENET, VErnon, and another Lawyer. Plan. Great lords, and gentlemen, what means this silence? Dare no man answer in a case of truth? Suf. Within the Temple hall we were too loud; The garden here is more convenient. Plan. Then say at once, If I maintain'd the truth ; Or, else, was wrangling Somerset in the error? Suf. 'Faith, I have been a truant in the law; And never yet could frame my will to it; And, therefore, frame the law unto my wilk. Som. Judge you, my lord of Warwick, then be tween us. War. Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch, Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth, Plan. Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance: |