SCENE III. The same. Before Angiers. Alarums: Excursions. Enter LA PUCElle. [Thunder. Puc. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.- This speedy, quick appearance argues proof 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, So you do condescend to help me now. [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress? - My body shall Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit. [They shake their heads. Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, [They depart. See! they forsake me. Now the time is come, And hell too strong for me to buckle with; Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [Exit. Alarums. Enter French and English, fighting. LA PU CELLE 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, 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, Puc. Changed 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 surprised 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 MARGARET. O fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly; I kiss these fingers [Kisses her hand.] for eternal peace: Who art thou? say, that I may honor thee. Mar. Margaret my name; and daughter to a king, The king of Naples, whosoe'er thou art. Suff. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I called. 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. [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? Mar. Say, earl of Suffolk,—if thy name be so,— What ransom must I pay before I pass? For, I perceive, I am thy prisoner. Suff. 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? Suff. She's beautiful; and therefore to be wooed: She is a woman; therefore to be won. [Aside. Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no? [Aside. Mar. I were best leave him, for he will not hear. Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure? [Aside. Mar. What though I be enthralled? He seems a knight, And will not any way dishonor me. [Aside. Suff. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. Mar. Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French; And then I need not crave his courtesy. [Aside. Suff. Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause Mar. Tush; women have been captivate ere now. [Aside. Suff. Lady, wherefore talk you so? Mar. I cry you mercy; 'tis but quid for quo. Suff. 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. Suff. And so shall you, If happy England's royal king be free. Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? Suff. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen; To put a golden sceptre in thy hand, And set a precious crown upon thy head, Mar. Suff. His love. What? Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. Suff. No, gentle madam; I unworthy am To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, And have no portion in the choice myself. How say you, madam; are you so content? Mar. An if my father please, I am content. Suff. Then call our captains, and our colors, forth; And, madam, at your father's castle walls We'll crave a parley to confer with him. [Troops come forward. A parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER, on the walls. Suff. See, Reignier, see thy daughter prisoner. Reig. To whom? Suff. Reig. To me. Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep, Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness. Suff. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord. Fair Margaret knows, Hath gained thy daughter princely liberty. [Exit from the walls. Suff. And here I will expect thy coming. Trumpets sounded. Enter REIGNIER, below. Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our territories. Command in Anjou what your honor pleases. Suff. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, Fit to be made companion with a king. What answer makes your grace unto my suit? Reig. Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth, To be the princely bride of such a lord, Upon condition I may quietly Enjoy mine own, the county Maine, and Anjou, Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith. Suff. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Because this is in traffic of a king; And yet, methinks, I could be well content To be mine own attorney in this case. I'll over then to England with this news, [Aside. Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. Mar. Farewell, my lord! Good wishes, praise, and prayers, Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [Going. Suff. Farewell, sweet madam! But hark you, Margaret; No princely commendations to my king? Mar. Such commendations as become a maid, A virgin, and his servant, say to him. Suff. Words sweetly placed, and modestly directed. But, madam, I must trouble you again No loving token to his majesty? Mar. Yes, my good lord; a pure, unspotted heart, Never yet taint with love, I send the king. Suff. And this withal. [Kisses her. Mar. That for thyself.-I will not so presume, To send such peevish tokens to a king. [Exeunt REIGNIER and MARGaret. Suff. O, wert thou for myself!-But, Suffolk, stay; Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth; There Minotaurs, and ugly treasons, lurk. Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise; Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount; Mad, natural graces that extinguish art; That, when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet, VOL. II.-44 3 H* [Exit. |