William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (137 page)
Read William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition Online
Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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AUDLEY
Renowned Edward, give me leave, I pray,
To lead my soldiers where I may relieve
Your grace’s son, in danger to be slain.
The snares of French, like emmets on a bank,
Muster about him whilst he, lion-like,
Entangled in the net of their assaults,
Franticly rends and bites the woven toil.
But all in vain. He cannot free himself.
To lead my soldiers where I may relieve
Your grace’s son, in danger to be slain.
The snares of French, like emmets on a bank,
Muster about him whilst he, lion-like,
Entangled in the net of their assaults,
Franticly rends and bites the woven toil.
But all in vain. He cannot free himself.
KING EDWARD
Audley, content. I will not have a man,
On pain of death, sent forth to succour him.
This is the day ordained by destiny
To season his green courage with those grievous
thoughts
That, if he breaketh out, Nestor’s years on earth
Will make him savour still of this exploit.
On pain of death, sent forth to succour him.
This is the day ordained by destiny
To season his green courage with those grievous
thoughts
That, if he breaketh out, Nestor’s years on earth
Will make him savour still of this exploit.
EARL OF DERBY
Ah, but he shall not live to see those days!
KING EDWARD
Why, then, his epitaph is lasting praise.
AUDLEY
Yet, good my lord, ’tis too much wilfulness
To let his blood be spilt, that may be saved.
To let his blood be spilt, that may be saved.
KING EDWARD
Exclaim no more, for none of you can tell
Whether a borrowed aid will serve or no.
Perhaps he is already slain or ta’en.
And dare a falcon when she’s in her flight,
And ever after she’ll be haggard-like.
Let Edward be delivered by our hands
And, still in danger, he’ll expect the like.
But if himself himself redeem from thence,
He will have vanquished, cheerful, death and fear,
And ever after dread their force no more
Than if they were but babes or captive slaves.
Whether a borrowed aid will serve or no.
Perhaps he is already slain or ta’en.
And dare a falcon when she’s in her flight,
And ever after she’ll be haggard-like.
Let Edward be delivered by our hands
And, still in danger, he’ll expect the like.
But if himself himself redeem from thence,
He will have vanquished, cheerful, death and fear,
And ever after dread their force no more
Than if they were but babes or captive slaves.
AUDLEY
O cruel father! Farewell Edward, then.
EARL OF DERBY
Farewell, sweet Prince, the hope of chivalry.
COMTE D’ARTOIS
O, would my life might ransom him from death!
Trumpets sound retreat within
KING EDWARD But soft—methinks I hear
The dismal charge of trumpets’ loud retreat.
All are not slain, I hope, that went with him.
Some will return with tidings, good or bad.
All are not slain, I hope, that went with him.
Some will return with tidings, good or bad.
Enter Edward Prince of Wales in triumph, bearing in his hand his shivered lance. The body of the King of Bohemia is borne before, wrapped in the colours of Bohemia. The English run and embrace the Prince
AUDLEY
O, joyful sight! Victorious Edward lives!
EARL OF DERBY
Welcome, brave Prince.
KINC EDWARD
Welcome, Plantagenet.
The Prince kneels and kisses his father’s hand
PRINCE OF WALES
First, having done my duty as beseemed,
Lords, I regreet you all with hearty thanks.
And now behold after my winter’s toil
My painful voyage on the boist’rous sea
Of war’s devouring gulfs and steely rocks
I bring my freight unto the wished port,
My summer’s hope, my travail’s sweet reward.
(
Pointing at Bohemia’s body
) And here, with humble duty, I present
This sacrifice, this first fruit of my sword,
Cropped and cut down even at the gate of death:
The King of Bohême, father, whom I slew,
Whose thousands had entrenched me round about,
And lay as thick upon my battered crest
As on an anvil with their ponderous glaives.
Yet marble courage still did underprop,
And when my weary arms with often blows,
Like the continual labouring woodman’s axe
That is enjoined to fell a load of oaks,
Began to falter, straight I would recover
My gifts you gave me and my zealous vow,
And then new courage made me fresh again
That, in despite, I carved my passage forth,
And put the multitude to speedy flight.
Lo, thus hath Edward’s hand filled your request
And done, I hope, the duty of a knight.
Lords, I regreet you all with hearty thanks.
And now behold after my winter’s toil
My painful voyage on the boist’rous sea
Of war’s devouring gulfs and steely rocks
I bring my freight unto the wished port,
My summer’s hope, my travail’s sweet reward.
(
Pointing at Bohemia’s body
) And here, with humble duty, I present
This sacrifice, this first fruit of my sword,
Cropped and cut down even at the gate of death:
The King of Bohême, father, whom I slew,
Whose thousands had entrenched me round about,
And lay as thick upon my battered crest
As on an anvil with their ponderous glaives.
Yet marble courage still did underprop,
And when my weary arms with often blows,
Like the continual labouring woodman’s axe
That is enjoined to fell a load of oaks,
Began to falter, straight I would recover
My gifts you gave me and my zealous vow,
And then new courage made me fresh again
That, in despite, I carved my passage forth,
And put the multitude to speedy flight.
Lo, thus hath Edward’s hand filled your request
And done, I hope, the duty of a knight.
His sword borne forth by a soldier
KING EDWARD
Ay, well thou hast deserved a knighthood, Ned,
He takes the sword
And therefore, with thy sword yet reeking warm
With blood of those that fought to be thy bane,
He takes the sword
And therefore, with thy sword yet reeking warm
With blood of those that fought to be thy bane,
He knights the Prince
Arise Prince Edward, trusty knight-at-arms.
This day thou hast confounded me with joy
And proved thyself fit heir unto a king.
This day thou hast confounded me with joy
And proved thyself fit heir unto a king.
PRINCE OF WALES (
rising, and then giving the King a paper
)
rising, and then giving the King a paper
)
Here is a note, my gracious lord, of those
That in this conflict of our foes were slain:
Eleven princes of esteem, fourscore barons,
A hundred and twenty knights, and thirty thousand
Common soldiers—and of our men, a thousand.
That in this conflict of our foes were slain:
Eleven princes of esteem, fourscore barons,
A hundred and twenty knights, and thirty thousand
Common soldiers—and of our men, a thousand.
KING EDWARD
Our God be praised! Now, Jean of France, I hope
Thou know’st King Edward for no wantonness,
No love-sick cockney, nor his soldiers jades.
But which way is the fearful King escaped?
Thou know’st King Edward for no wantonness,
No love-sick cockney, nor his soldiers jades.
But which way is the fearful King escaped?
PRINCE OF WALES
Towards Poitiers, noble father, and his sons.
KING EDWARD
Ned, thou and Audley shall pursue them still.
Myself and Derby will to Calais straight,
And there begirt that haven town with siege.
Now lies it on an upshot: therefore, strike,
And wistly follow whiles the game’s on foot. Exeunt
Sc. 9Myself and Derby will to Calais straight,
And there begirt that haven town with siege.
Now lies it on an upshot: therefore, strike,
And wistly follow whiles the game’s on foot. Exeunt
Enter the Comte de Montfort with a coronet in his hand and with him the Earl of Salisbury
COMTE DE MONTFORT
My lord of Salisbury, since by your aid
Mine enemy Sir Charles of Blois is slain,
And I again am quietly possessed
In Bretagne’s dukedom, know that I resolve,
For this kind furtherance of your king and you,
To swear allegiance to his majesty—
Mine enemy Sir Charles of Blois is slain,
And I again am quietly possessed
In Bretagne’s dukedom, know that I resolve,
For this kind furtherance of your king and you,
To swear allegiance to his majesty—
He offers Salisbury the coronet
In sign whereof receive this coronet.
Bear it unto him, and withal mine oath
Never to be but Edward’s faithful friend.
Bear it unto him, and withal mine oath
Never to be but Edward’s faithful friend.
EARL OF SALISBURY (
taking the coronet
)
taking the coronet
)
I take it, Montfort. Thus I hope ere long
The whole dominions of the realm of France
Will be surrendered to his conquering hand.
The whole dominions of the realm of France
Will be surrendered to his conquering hand.
Exit
Montfort
Now, if I knew but safely how to pass,
I would at Calais gladly meet his grace,
Whither I am by letters certified
That he intends to have his host removed.
It shall be so. This policy will serve.
(Calling) Ho, who’s within? Bring Villiers to me.
I would at Calais gladly meet his grace,
Whither I am by letters certified
That he intends to have his host removed.
It shall be so. This policy will serve.
(Calling) Ho, who’s within? Bring Villiers to me.
Enter Villiers
Villiers, thou know’st thou art my prisoner,
And that I might for ransom, if I would,
Require of thee a hundred thousand francs,
Or else retain and keep thee captive still.
But so it is that for a smaller charge
Thou mayst be quit, an if thou wilt thyself.
And this it is: procure me but a passport
Of Charles, the Duke of Normandy, that I
Without restraint may have recourse to Calais
Through all the countries where he hath to do—
Which thou mayst easily obtain, I think,
By reason I have often heard thee say
He and thou were students once together—
And then thou shalt be set at liberty.
How sayst thou? Wilt thou undertake to do it?
And that I might for ransom, if I would,
Require of thee a hundred thousand francs,
Or else retain and keep thee captive still.
But so it is that for a smaller charge
Thou mayst be quit, an if thou wilt thyself.
And this it is: procure me but a passport
Of Charles, the Duke of Normandy, that I
Without restraint may have recourse to Calais
Through all the countries where he hath to do—
Which thou mayst easily obtain, I think,
By reason I have often heard thee say
He and thou were students once together—
And then thou shalt be set at liberty.
How sayst thou? Wilt thou undertake to do it?
VILLIERS
I will, my lord. But I must speak with him.
EARL OF SALISBURY
Why, so thou shalt! Take horse and post from hence—
Only before thou go’st, swear by thy faith
That if thou canst not compass my desire,
Thou wilt return my prisoner back again,
And that shall be sufficient warrant for me.
Only before thou go’st, swear by thy faith
That if thou canst not compass my desire,
Thou wilt return my prisoner back again,
And that shall be sufficient warrant for me.
VILLIERS
To that condition I agree, my lord,
And will unfeignedly perform the same.
And will unfeignedly perform the same.
Exit
EARL or SALISBURY Farewell, Villiers!
Thus once I mean to try a Frenchman’s faith.
Exit
Sc. 10Enter King Edward and the Earl of Derby with soldiers
KING EDWARD
Since they refuse our proffered league, my lord,
And will not ope their gates and let us in,
We will entrench ourselves on every side,
That neither victuals nor supply of men
May come to succour this accursed town.
Famine shall combat where our swords are stopped.
And will not ope their gates and let us in,
We will entrench ourselves on every side,
That neither victuals nor supply of men
May come to succour this accursed town.
Famine shall combat where our swords are stopped.
Enter six poor Frenchmen
EARL OF DERBY
The promised aid that made them stand aloof
Is now retired and gone another way.
It will repent them of their stubborn will.
But what are these poor, ragged slaves, my lord?
Is now retired and gone another way.
It will repent them of their stubborn will.
But what are these poor, ragged slaves, my lord?
KING EDWARD
Ask what they are. It seems they come from Calais.
EARL OF DERBY (
to the poor Frenchmen
)
to the poor Frenchmen
)
You wretched patterns of despair and woe—
What are you? Living men, or gliding ghosts
Crept from your graves to walk upon the earth?
What are you? Living men, or gliding ghosts
Crept from your graves to walk upon the earth?
POOR MAN
No ghosts, my lord, but men that breathe a life
Far worse than is the quiet sleep of death.
We are distressed poor inhabitants
That long have been diseased, sick and lame.
And now, because we are not fit to serve,
The Captain of the town hath thrust us forth
That so expense of victuals may be saved.
Far worse than is the quiet sleep of death.
We are distressed poor inhabitants
That long have been diseased, sick and lame.
And now, because we are not fit to serve,
The Captain of the town hath thrust us forth
That so expense of victuals may be saved.
KING EDWARD
A charitable deed, no doubt, and worthy praise!
But how do you imagine, then, to speed?
We are your enemies: in such a case
We can no less but put ye to the sword,
Since, when we proffered truce, it was refused.
But how do you imagine, then, to speed?
We are your enemies: in such a case
We can no less but put ye to the sword,
Since, when we proffered truce, it was refused.
POOR MAN
An if your grace no otherwise vouchsafe,
As welcome death is unto us as life.
As welcome death is unto us as life.
KING EDWARD
Poor seely men, much wronged, and more distressed!
Go, Derby, go, and see they be relieved.
Command that victuals be appointed them,
And give to every one five crowns apiece.
Go, Derby, go, and see they be relieved.
Command that victuals be appointed them,
And give to every one five crowns apiece.
Exeunt the Earl of Derby and the six poor Frenchmen
The lion scorns to touch the yielding prey,
And Edward’s sword must fresh itself in such
As wilful stubbornness hath made perverse.
And Edward’s sword must fresh itself in such
As wilful stubbornness hath made perverse.
Enter Lord Percy
Lord Percy, welcome. What’s the news in England?
PERCY
The Queen, my lord, commends her to your grace,
And from her highness and the lord vicegerent
I bring this happy tidings of success:
David of Scotland, lately up in arms,
Thinking belike he soonest should prevail—
Your highness being absent from the realm—
Is by the fruitful service of your peers
And painful travail of the Queen herself—
That, big with child, was every day in arms—
Vanquished, subdued and taken prisoner.
And from her highness and the lord vicegerent
I bring this happy tidings of success:
David of Scotland, lately up in arms,
Thinking belike he soonest should prevail—
Your highness being absent from the realm—
Is by the fruitful service of your peers
And painful travail of the Queen herself—
That, big with child, was every day in arms—
Vanquished, subdued and taken prisoner.
KING EDWARD
Thanks, Percy, for thy news, with all my heart!
What was he took him prisoner in the field?
What was he took him prisoner in the field?
PERCY
A squire, my lord. John Copland is his name,
Who, since entreated by her majesty,
Denies to make surrender of his prize
To any but unto your grace alone—
Whereat the Queen is grievously displeased.
Who, since entreated by her majesty,
Denies to make surrender of his prize
To any but unto your grace alone—
Whereat the Queen is grievously displeased.
KING EDWARD
Well then, we’ll have a pursuivant dispatched
To summon Copland hither out of hand,
And with him he shall bring his prisoner-king.
To summon Copland hither out of hand,
And with him he shall bring his prisoner-king.
PERCY
The Queen, my lord, herself by this at sea,
And purposeth, as soon as wind will serve,
To land at Calais, and to visit you.
And purposeth, as soon as wind will serve,
To land at Calais, and to visit you.
KING EDWARD
She shall be welcome, and to wait her coming
I’ll pitch my tent near to the sandy shore.
I’ll pitch my tent near to the sandy shore.
Enter a Captain of Calais
CAPTAIN OF CALAIS
The burgesses of Calais, mighty king,
Have, by a council, willingly decreed
To yield the town and castle to your hands
Upon condition it will please your grace
To grant them benefit of life and goods.
Have, by a council, willingly decreed
To yield the town and castle to your hands
Upon condition it will please your grace
To grant them benefit of life and goods.
KING EDWARD
They will so? Then, belike, they may command,
Dispose, elect and govern as they list!
No, sirrah. Tell them, since they did refuse
Our princely clemency at first proclaimed,
They shall not have it now, although they would.
I will accept of naught but fire and sword—
Except within these two days, six of them,
That are the wealthiest merchants in the town,
Come naked all but for their linen shirts,
With each a halter hanged about his neck,
And, prostrate, yield themselves upon their knees
To be afflicted, hanged or what I please.
And so you may inform their masterships.
Dispose, elect and govern as they list!
No, sirrah. Tell them, since they did refuse
Our princely clemency at first proclaimed,
They shall not have it now, although they would.
I will accept of naught but fire and sword—
Except within these two days, six of them,
That are the wealthiest merchants in the town,
Come naked all but for their linen shirts,
With each a halter hanged about his neck,
And, prostrate, yield themselves upon their knees
To be afflicted, hanged or what I please.
And so you may inform their masterships.
Exeunt all but the Captain
CAPTAIN OF CALAIS
Why, this it is to trust a broken staff. Had we not been persuaded Jean, our king, Would, with his army, have relieved the town, We had not stood upon defiance so. But now ’tis past that no man can recall, 84 And better some do go to wreck than all.
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