William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (83 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
2.95Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
LUCY
Is Talbot slain, the Frenchmen’s only scourge,
Your kingdom’s terror and black Nemesis?
O, were mine eye-balls into bullets turned,
That I in rage might shoot them at your faces!
O, that I could but call these dead to life!—
It were enough to fright the realm of France.
Were but his picture left amongst you here
It would amaze the proudest of you all.
Give me their bodies, that I may bear them hence
And give them burial as beseems their worth.
Your kingdom’s terror and black Nemesis?
O, were mine eye-balls into bullets turned,
That I in rage might shoot them at your faces!
O, that I could but call these dead to life!—
It were enough to fright the realm of France.
Were but his picture left amongst you here
It would amaze the proudest of you all.
Give me their bodies, that I may bear them hence
And give them burial as beseems their worth.
JOAN (to Charles)
I think this upstart is old Talbot’s ghost,
He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit.
For God’s sake let him have them. To keep them here
They would but stink and putrefy the air.
He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit.
For God’s sake let him have them. To keep them here
They would but stink and putrefy the air.
CHARLES Go, take their bodies hence.
LUCY
I’ll bear them hence, but from their ashes shall be
reared
A phoenix that shall make all France afeard.
reared
A phoenix that shall make all France afeard.
CHARLES
So we be rid of them, do with them what thou wilt.
⌈
Exeunt Lucy and herald with the bodies⌉
Exeunt Lucy and herald with the bodies⌉
And now to Paris in this conquering vein.
All will be ours, now bloody Talbot’s slain. Exeunt
5.1All will be ours, now bloody Talbot’s slain. Exeunt
Sennet. Enter King Henry, the Dukes of Gloucester and Exeter, ⌈
and others
⌉
KING HENRY (to
Gloucester)
Gloucester)
Have you perused the letters from the Pope,
The Emperor, and the Earl of Armagnac?
The Emperor, and the Earl of Armagnac?
GLOUCESTER
I have, my lord, and their intent is this:
They humbly sue unto your excellence
To have a godly peace concluded of
Between the realms of England and of France.
They humbly sue unto your excellence
To have a godly peace concluded of
Between the realms of England and of France.
KING HENRY
How doth your grace affect their motion?
GLOUCESTER
Well, my good lord, and as the only means
To stop effusion of our Christian blood
And ’stablish quietness on every side.
To stop effusion of our Christian blood
And ’stablish quietness on every side.
KING HENRY
Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought
It was both impious and unnatural
That such immanity and bloody strife
Should reign among professors of one faith.
It was both impious and unnatural
That such immanity and bloody strife
Should reign among professors of one faith.
GLOUCESTER
Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect
And surer bind this knot of amity,
The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles—
A man of great authority in France—
Proffers his only daughter to your grace
In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.
And surer bind this knot of amity,
The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles—
A man of great authority in France—
Proffers his only daughter to your grace
In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.
KING HENRY
Marriage, uncle? Alas, my years are young,
And fitter is my study and my books
Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet call th’ambassadors, ⌈
Exit one or more
⌉
and as you please,
So let them have their answers every one.
I shall be well content with any choice
Tends to God’s glory and my country’s weal.
And fitter is my study and my books
Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet call th’ambassadors, ⌈
Exit one or more
⌉
and as you please,
So let them have their answers every one.
I shall be well content with any choice
Tends to God’s glory and my country’s weal.
Enter the Bishop of Winchester, now in cardinal’s habit, and three ambassadors, one a Papal Legate
EXETER (
aside
)
aside
)
What, is my lord of Winchester installed
And called unto a cardinal’s degree?
Then I perceive that will be verified
Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy:
‘If once he come to be a cardinal,
He’ll make his cap co-equal with the crown.’
KING HENRY
My lords ambassadors, your several suits
Have been considered and debated on.
Your purpose is both good and reasonable,
And therefore are we certainly resolved
To draw conditions of a friendly peace,
Which by my lord of Winchester we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.
Have been considered and debated on.
Your purpose is both good and reasonable,
And therefore are we certainly resolved
To draw conditions of a friendly peace,
Which by my lord of Winchester we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.
GLOUCESTER ⌈
to ambassadors
⌉
to ambassadors
⌉
And for the proffer of my lord your master,
I have informed his highness so at large
As, liking of the lady’s virtuous gifts,
Her beauty, and the value of her dower,
He doth intend she shall be England’s queen.
I have informed his highness so at large
As, liking of the lady’s virtuous gifts,
Her beauty, and the value of her dower,
He doth intend she shall be England’s queen.
KING HENRY ⌈
to ambassadors
⌉
to ambassadors
⌉
In argument and proof of which contract
Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.
(To Gloucester) And so, my lord Protector, see them
guarded
And safely brought to Dover, wherein shipped,
Commit them to the fortune of the sea.
Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.
(To Gloucester) And so, my lord Protector, see them
guarded
And safely brought to Dover, wherein shipped,
Commit them to the fortune of the sea.
Exeunt ⌈
severally
⌉ all but Winchester and ⌈
Legate
⌉
severally
⌉ all but Winchester and ⌈
Legate
⌉
WINCHESTER
Stay, my lord legate; you shall first receive
The sum of money which I promised
Should be delivered to his holiness
For clothing me in these grave ornaments.
The sum of money which I promised
Should be delivered to his holiness
For clothing me in these grave ornaments.
LEGATE
I will attend upon your lordship’s leisure. ⌈
Exit
⌉
Exit
⌉
WINCHESTER
Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive
That nor in birth or for authority
The Bishop will be overborne by thee.
I’ll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny. ⌈
Exit
⌉
5.2Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive
That nor in birth or for authority
The Bishop will be overborne by thee.
I’ll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny. ⌈
Exit
⌉
Enter Charles the Dauphin
⌈
reading a letter
⌉
, the Dukes of Burgundy and Alençon, the Bastard of Orléans, René Duke of Anjou, and ⌉oan la Pucelle
CHARLES
These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits.
‘Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French.
‘Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French.
ALENÇON
Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France,
And keep not back your powers in dalliance.
And keep not back your powers in dalliance.
JOAN
Peace be amongst them if they turn to us;
Else, ruin combat with their palaces!
Else, ruin combat with their palaces!
Enter a Scout
SCOUT
Success unto our valiant general,
And happiness to his accomplices.
And happiness to his accomplices.
CHARLES
What tidings send our scouts? I prithee speak.
SCOUT
The English army, that divided was
Into two parties, is now conjoined in one,
And means to give you battle presently.
Into two parties, is now conjoined in one,
And means to give you battle presently.
CHARLES
Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is;
But we will presently provide for them.
But we will presently provide for them.
BURGUNDY
I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there.
⌈JOAN⌉
Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear.
Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.
Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine;
Let Henry fret and all the world repine.
Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.
Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine;
Let Henry fret and all the world repine.
CHARLES
Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate! Exeunt
5.3Alarum. Excursions. Enter Joan la Pucelle
JOAN
The Regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.
Now help, ye charming spells and periapts,
And ye choice spirits that admonish me
And give me signs of future accidents.
Now help, ye charming spells and periapts,
And ye choice spirits that admonish me
And give me signs of future accidents.
Thunder
You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north,
Appear, and aid me in this enterprise.
Under the lordly monarch of the north,
Appear, and aid me in this enterprise.
Enter Fiends
This speed and quick appearance argues proof
Of your accustomed diligence to me.
Now, ye familiar spirits that are culled
Out of the powerful regions under earth,
Help me this once, that France may get the field.
Of your accustomed diligence to me.
Now, ye familiar spirits that are culled
Out of the powerful regions under earth,
Help me this once, that France may get the field.
They walk and speak not
O, hold me not with silence overlong!
Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
I’ll lop a member off and give it you
In earnest of a further benefit,
So you do condescend to help me now.
Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
I’ll lop a member off and give it you
In earnest of a further benefit,
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.
Pay recompense if you will grant my suit.
They shake their heads
Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice
Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
Then take my soul—my body, soul, and all—
Before that England give the French the foil.
Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
Then take my soul—my body, soul, and all—
Before that England give the French the foil.
They depart
See, they forsake me. Now the time is come
That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest
And let her head fall into England’s lap.
My ancient incantations are too weak,
And hell too strong for me to buckle with.
Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. Exit
5.4That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest
And let her head fall into England’s lap.
My ancient incantations are too weak,
And hell too strong for me to buckle with.
Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. Exit
Excursions. The Dukes of Burgundy and York fight hand to hand. The French fly. Joan la Pucelle is taken
RICHARD DUKE OF 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!
⌈
To his soldiers
⌉ See how the ugly witch doth bend her
brows, 5
As if with Circe she would change my shape.
Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms,
And try if they can gain your liberty.
A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace!
⌈
To his soldiers
⌉ See how the ugly witch doth bend her
brows, 5
As if with Circe she would change my shape.
JOAN
Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be.
RICHARD DUKE OF YORK
O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man.
No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
JOAN
A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee,
And may ye both be suddenly surprised
By bloody hands in sleeping on your beds!
And may ye both be suddenly surprised
By bloody hands in sleeping on your beds!
RICHARD DUKE OF YORK
Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue.
JOAN
I prithee give me leave to curse awhile.
RICHARD DUKE OF YORK
Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake.
Exeunt
Alarum. Enter the Earl of Suffolk with Margaret in his hand
SUFFOLK
Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
He gazes on her
O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly,
For I will touch thee but with reverent hands,
And lay them gently on thy tender side.
I kiss these fingers for eternal peace.
Who art thou? Say, that I may honour thee.
For I will touch thee but with reverent hands,
And lay them gently on thy tender side.
I kiss these fingers for eternal peace.
Who art thou? Say, that I may honour thee.
MARGARET
Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,
The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.
The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.
SUFFOLK
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 his downy cygnets save,
Keeping them prisoner underneath his wings.
Yet if this servile usage once offend,
Go, and be free again, as Suffolk’s friend.
Be not offended, nature’s miracle,
Thou art allotted to be ta’en by me.
So doth the swan his downy cygnets save,
Keeping them prisoner underneath his wings.
Yet if this servile usage once offend,
Go, and be free again, as Suffolk’s friend.
She is going
O stay! (
Aside
) I have no power to let her pass.
My hand would free her, but my heart says no.
As plays the sun upon the glassy stream,
Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak.
I’ll call for pen and ink, and write my mind.
Fie, de la Pole, disable not thyself!
Hast not a tongue? Is she not here to hear?
Wilt thou be daunted at a woman’s sight?
Ay, beauty’s princely majesty is such
Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough.
Aside
) I have no power to let her pass.
My hand would free her, but my heart says no.
As plays the sun upon the glassy stream,
Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak.
I’ll call for pen and ink, and write my mind.
Fie, de la Pole, disable not thyself!
Hast not a tongue? Is she not here to hear?
Wilt thou be daunted at a woman’s sight?
Ay, beauty’s princely majesty is such
Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough.
MARGARET
Say, Earl of Suffolk—if thy name be so—
What ransom must I pay before I pass?
For I perceive I am thy prisoner.
What ransom must I pay before I pass?
For I perceive I am thy prisoner.
SUFFOLK (
aside
)
aside
)
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit
Before thou make a trial of her love?
Before thou make a trial of her love?
MARGARET
Why speak’st thou not? What ransom must I pay?
SUFFOLK (
aside
)
aside
)
She’s beautiful, and therefore to be wooed;
She is a woman, therefore to be won.
She is a woman, therefore to be won.
MARGARET
Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea or no?
SUFFOLK (
aside
)
aside
)
Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife;
Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?
Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?
MARGARET (aside)
I were best to leave him, for he will not hear.
SUFFOLK (
aside
)
aside
)
There all is marred; there lies a cooling card.
MARGARET (aside)
He talks at random; sure the man is mad.
SUFFOLK (
aside
)
aside
)
And yet a dispensation may be had.
MARGARET
And yet I would that you would answer me.
Other books
The Caprices by Sabina Murray
Valkyria by Ink Blood
The Hidden Law by Michael Nava
Dragon Awakened by Jaime Rush
Ana Seymour by A Family For Carter Jones
Dark Gold by Christine Feehan
Falling Stars by Loretta Chase
The Soldier's Bride by Christensen, Rachelle J.
The Wielder: Sworn Vengeance (The Wielder Series) by Gosnell, David
999 by Al Sarrantonio
