Her mother liveth yet, can testify She was the first fruit of my bachelorship. War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? God knows, thou art a collop of my flesh; Puc. Peasant,avaunt!-You have suborn'd this man, On purpose to obscure my noble birth. Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest, The morn that I was wedded to her mother.➡ Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl. Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time Of thy nativity! I would, the milk Thy mother gave thee, when thou suck'dst her breast Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs à-field, Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab? O, burn her, burn her; hanging is too good. [Exit. York. Take her away; for she hath liv'd too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities. Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have con demn'd: Not me begotten of a shepherd swain, To compass wonders, but by help of devils. Chaste and immaculate in very thought; Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?— Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity; That warranteth by law to be thy privilege.- Yerk. Now heaven forefend! the holy maid with child? War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought: Is all your strict preciseness come to this? York. She and the Dauphin have been juggling: I did imagine what would be her refuge. War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards live ; Especially, since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceiv'd; my child is none of his; It was Alencon, that enjoy'd my love. York. Alencon! that notorious Machiavel! It dies, an if it had a thousand lives. Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you; 'Twas neither Charles, nor yet the duke I nam'd, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd. War. A married man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think, she knows not well, There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It's sign, she hath been liberal and free. York. And, yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure.Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee: Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. Puc. Then lead me hence ;-with whom I leave my curse: May never glorious sun reflex his beams Upon the country where you make abode! Enter Cardinal Beaufort, attended. Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, Enter Charles, attended; Alencon, Bastard, Reignier, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. By sight of these our baleful enemies, Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: Alen. Must be be then as shadow of himself? And yet, in substance and authority, Retain but privilege of a private man? This proffer is absurd and reasonless. Char. 'Tis known already, that I am possess'd That which I have, than, coveting for more, Be cast from possibility of all. York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Us'd intercession to obtain a league ; And, now the matter grows to compromise, Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison? Either accept the title thou usurp'st, Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy, And therefore take this compact of a truce, [Aside to Charles. War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand? Char. It shall: Only reserv'd, you claim no interest In any of our towns of garrison? York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty; Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, [Exeunt. SCENE V-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter King Henry, in conference with Suffolk; Gloster and Exeter following. K. Hen. Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me: Her virtues, graced with external gifts, Do breed love's settled passions in my heart: And like as rigour in tempestuous gusts |