Out of the powerful legions under earth, Help me this once, that France may get the field. [They walk about and speak not. you O, hold me not with silence over-long! blood [They hang their heads. No hope to have redress?-My body shall [They shake their heads. Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice Before that England give the French the foil. [They depart. That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest, [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: A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace! See how the ugly witch doth bend her brows, Puc. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be. York. Fell, banning hag; enchantress, hold thy tongue! Alarums. Enter SUFFOLK, leading in LADY MARGARET. [Gazes on her. O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly! [Kissing her hand. 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: [She turns away as going. 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. What ransom must I pay before I pass? 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? [A side. 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. [A side. Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom-yea or no? Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? [Aside. Mar. I were best leave him, for he will not hear. Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling-card. [Aside. 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! [A side. [Aside. Mar. He talks of wood: it is some carpenter. Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, [Aside. Mar. Hear ye, captain,- -are ye 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. [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. Mar. Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French; [A side. And then I need not crave his courtesy. Suf. Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause- Mar. I cry you mercy, 'tis 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? Suf. 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, If thou wilt condescend to be my Mar. What? His love. Suf. And, madam, at your father's castle-walls A Parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER on the Walls. Reig. To whom? Suf. Reig. To me. Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness. Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Consent, and for thy honour give consent,Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto; And this her easy-held imprisonment Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty. Reig. Speaks Suffolk as he thinks? Suf Fair Margaret knows That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign. Reig. Upon thy princely warrant I descend, To give thee answer of thy just demand. [Exit REIGNIER from the Walls. Suf. And here I will expect thy coming. Trumpets sound. Enter REIGNIER below. Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our territories; 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. Suf. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, And yet, methinks, I could be well content [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. Suf. 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. Suf. Words sweetly plac'd 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, Mar. That for thyself:-I will not so presume [Kisses her. [Exeunt REIG. and MAR. Suf. 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, And natural graces that extinguish art; Repeat their semblance often on the seas, That when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet [Exit. SCENE IV.-Camp of the DUKE OF YORK in Anjou. Enter YORK, WARWICK, and others. York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to burn. Enter LA PUCELLE, guarded, and a Shepherd. Shep. Ah, Joan, this kills thy father's heart outright! Have I sought every country far and near, And now it is my chance to find thee out Must I behold thy timeless cruel death? Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee! I am descended of a gentler blood; Thou art no father nor no friend of mine. Shep. Out, out!-My lords, an please you, 'tis not so; I did beget her, all the parish knows: Her mother liveth yet, can testify She was the first fruit of my bachelorship. |