Reig. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds, Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors. Alen. Of all exploits since first I follow'd arms, Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprise More venturous or desperate than this. Bast. I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell. Enter CHARLES and LA PUCELLE. Char. Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame ? Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal, Make us partakers of a little gain, That now our loss might be ten times so much? Puc. Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend? Char. Duke of Alençon, this was your default. Alen. Had all your quarters been as safely kept We had not been thus shamefully surpris'd. Bast. Mine was secure. Reig. And so was mine, my lord. Char. And, for myself, most part of all this night, Within her quarter and mine own precinct I was employ'd in passing to and fro, About relieving of the sentinels: Then how or which way should they first break in? To gather our soldiers, scatter'd and dispers'd Alarums. Enter an English Soldier, crying "A Talbot! a Talbot!" They fly, leaving their clothes behind. Sold. I'll be so bold to take what they have left. The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword; Using no other weapon but his name. [Exit. SCENE II. Orleans. Within the town. Enter TALBOT, Bedford, BURGUNDY, a Captain, and others. Bed. The day begins to break, and night is fled, [Retreat sounded. Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury, What ruin happen'd in revenge of him, The treacherous manner of his mournful death, I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace, Bed. "Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began, They did, amongst the troops of armed men, Bur. Myself-as far as I could well discern That could not live asunder day or night. After that things are set in order here, We'll follow them with all the power we have. Enter a Messenger. Mess. All hail, my lords! Which of this princely train Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts So much applauded through the realm of France ? Tal. Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him? Mess. The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown, By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe That she may boast she hath beheld the man Bur. Is it even so? Nay, then, I see our wars When ladies crave to be encounter'd with. You mayn't, my lord, despise her gentle suit. Tal. Ne'er trust me, then; for when a world of men Yet hath a woman's kindness over-rul'd:- Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will: And I have heard it said, unbidden guests Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, I mean to prove this lady's courtesy.— Come hither, captain. [Whispers.] You perceive my mind? Capt. I do, my lord, and mean accordingly. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Auvergne. Court of the Castle. Enter the Countess and her Porter. Count. Porter, remember what I gave in charge; And when you've done so, bring the keys to me. Port. Madam, I will. Count. The plot is laid: if all things fall out right, I shall as famous be by this exploit As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death. Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight, And his achievements of no less account: Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, Mess. Madam, Enter Messenger and TALBOT. According as your ladyship desir'd, By message crav'd, so is Lord Talbot come. Count. And he is welcome. Mess. Madam, it is. Count. [Exit. What is this the man? 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, And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs. It cannot be, this weak and writhlèd shrimp Should strike such terror to his enemies. Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you; [Going. Count. What means he now ?-Go ask him whither he goes. But since your ladyship is not at leisure, I'll sort some other time to visit you. 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. VOL. V. Re-enter Porter with keys. Count. If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. Count. But now the substance shall endure the like; Wasted our country, slain our citizens, And sent our sons and husbands captivate. Tal. Ha, ha, ha! 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 Whereon to practise your severity. 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't. Count. This is a riddling merchant for the nonce; He will be here, and yet he is not here: How can these contrarieties agree? Tal. That will I show you presently.(59) [He winds a horn. Drums strike up; then a peal of ordnance. The gates being forced, enter Soldiers. (59) That will I show you presently.] The author most probably wrote, either (as Steevens suggests) "That, madam, will I,” &c., or (as Mr. Collier's Ms. Corrector, and Walker, Crit. Exam., &c., vol. iii. p. 150, would read) "That will I show you, lady, presently." |