SCENE II. France. Before Rouen. Enter LA PUCELLE disguised, with four Soldiers with sacks upon their backs. Puc. These are the city gates, the gates of Through which our policy must make a breach: That come to gather money for their corn. That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them. the city, And we be lords and rulers over Rouen; Therefore we'll knock. Watch. [Within] Qui est là ? [Knocks. Puc. Paysans, pauvres gens de France; Poor market folks that come to sell their corn. Watch. Enter, go in ; the market bell is rung. Puc. Now, Rouen, I'll shake thy bulwarks to the ground. [Exeunt. Enter CHARLES, the BASTARD of Orleans, Char. Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem! And once again we 'll sleep secure in Rouen. ΤΟ Bast. Here enter'd Pucelle and her practisants; 20 Now she is there, how will she specify Where is the best and safest passage in? 13. Qui est là? Ff' che la.' 20. practisants, plotters. Reign. By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower; Which, once discern'd, shows that her meaning is, Enter LA PUCELLE on the top, thrusting out a Puc. Behold, this is the happy wedding torch [Exit. Bast. See, noble Charles, the beacon of our friend; The burning torch in yonder turret stands. Char. Now shine it like a comet of revenge, A prophet to the fall of all our foes! Reign. Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends; Enter, and cry 'The Dauphin!' presently, And then do execution on the watch. [Alarum. Exeunt. An alarum. Enter TALBOT in an excursion. Tal. France, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears, If Talbot but survive thy treachery. Pucelle, that witch, that damned sorceress, [Exit. An alarum: excursions. BEDFORD, brought in sick in a chair. Enter TALBOT and BURGUNDY without: within LA PUCELLE, CHARLES, BASTARD, ALENÇON, and REIGNIER, on the walls. Puc. Good morrow, gallants! want ye corn for bread? 30 40 25. No way into the town is so ill-defended as that by which she had entered.' I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast Bur. Scoff on, vile fiend and shameless courtezan! I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own And make thee curse the harvest of that corn. Char. Your grace may starve perhaps before that time. Bed. O, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason! Puc. What will you do, good grey-beard? break a lance, And run a tilt at death within a chair? Tal. Foul fiend of France, and hag of all despite, Puc. Are ye so hot, sir? yet, Pucelle, hold thy If Talbot do but thunder, rain will follow. [The English whisper together in council. God speed the parliament! who shall be the speaker? Tal. Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field? Puc. Belike your lordship takes us then for fools, To try if that our own be ours or no. Tal. I speak not to that railing Hecate, But unto thee, Alençon, and the rest; Will ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out? 44. darnel, a weed ('lolium temulentum '), reputed to be bad for the eyes. 50 60 67. Signior; the courtly term is used with ironical politeness, Tal. Signior, hang! base muleters of France! Puc. Away, captains! let's get us from the walls; Tal. And there will we be too, ere it be long, Bur. My vows are equal partners with thy vows. Bed. Lord Talbot, do not so dishonour me: Bur. Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you. Bed. Not to be gone from hence; for once I read That stout Pendragon in his litter sick Came to the field and vanquished his foes: Tal. Undaunted spirit in a dying breast! 69. foot-boys, menials, lackeys. 95. Pendragon, Uther Pen 70 80 90 dragon, the father of King Arthur. G Then be it so heavens keep old Bedford safe! : And now no more ado, brave Burgundy, But gather we our forces out of hand And set upon our boasting enemy. [Exeunt all but Bedford and Attendants. An alarum: excursions. Enter SIR JOHN FASTOLFE and a Captain. Cap. Whither away, Sir John Fastolfe, in such haste ? Fast. Whither away! to save myself by flight: Cap. What! will you fly, and leave Lord Talbot? All the Talbots in the world, to save my life. Ay, [Exit. Cap. Cowardly knight! ill fortune follow thee! [Exit. Retreat: excursions. LA PUCELLE, ALENÇON, Bed. Now, quiet soul, depart when heaven For I have seen our enemies' overthrow. What is the trust or strength of foolish man? They that of late were daring with their scoffs Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves. [Bedford dies, and is carried in by two in his chair. An alarum. Re-enter TALBOT, BURGUNDY, Tal. Lost, and recover'd in a day again! 102. out of hand, forthwith. |