If I now had him brought into my power. Sal. Yet tell'st thou not, how thou wert enter tain'd. Tal. With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts. In open market-place produc'd they me, Here, said they, is the terror of the French, The scare-crow that affrights our children so. And with my nails digg'd stones out of the ground, My grisly countenance made others fly; None durst come near, for fear of sudden death. So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread, Ready they were to shoot me to the heart. Sal. I grieve to hear what torments you endur'd; But we will be reveng'd sufficiently. Now it is supper-time in Orleans: Here, through this grate, I can count every one, And view the Frenchmen how they fortify; Let us look in, the sight will much delight thee.Sir Thomas Gargrave, and sir William Glansdale, Let me have your express opinions, Where is best place to make our battery next. Gar. I think, at the north gate; for there stand lords. Glan. And I, here, at the bulwark of the bridge. Tal. For aught I see, this city must be famish'd, Or with light skirmishes enfeebled. [Shot from the town. Salisbury and Sir Tho. Gargrave fall. Sal. O Lord, have mercy on us, wretched sinners! Gar. O Lord, have mercy on me, woful man! Tal. What chance is this, that suddenly hath cross'd us?- Speak, Salisbury; at least, if thou canst speak; That hath contriv'd this woful tragedy! One eye thou hast to look to heaven for grace: If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands!- Thou shalt not die, whiles - He beckons with his hand, and smiles on me; Play on the lute, beholding the towns burn: [Thunder heard; afterwards an alarum. What stir is this? What tumult's in the heavens? Whence cometh this alarum, and the noise? Enter a Messenger. Mess. My lord, my lord, the French have gather'd head: The Dauphin, with one Joan la Pucelle join'd,— A holy prophetess, new risen up,— Is come with a great power to raise the siege. [Salisbury groans. Tal. Hear, hear, how dying Salisbury doth groan! It irks his heart, he cannot be reveng'd. Frenchmen, I'll be a Salisbury to you:- - Your hearts I'll stamp out with my horse's heels, And make a quagmire of your mingled brains.— Convey me Salisbury into his tent, And then we'll try what these dastard Frenchmen [Exeunt, bearing out the bodies: dare. SCENE V. THE SAME. BEFORE ONE OF THE GATES. Alarum. Skirmishings. Talbot pursueth the Dauphin, and driveth him in: then enter Joan la Pucelle, driving Englishmen before her. Then enter Talbot. Tal. Where is my strength, my valour, and my force? Our English troops retire, I cannot stay them; Enter La Pucelle. Here, here she comes: thee; I'll have a bout with Devil, or devil's dam, I'll conjure thee: Blood will I draw on thee, thou art a witch, And straightway give thy soul to him thou serv'st. Puc. Come, come, 'tis only I that must disgrace thee. [They fight. Tal. Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail? My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage, And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder, But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet. Puc. Talbot, farewel; thy hour is not yet come: I must go victual Orleans forthwith. O'ertake me, if thou canst; I scorn thy strength. This day is ours, as many more shall be. [Pucelle enters the town, with Soldiers. Tal. My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am, nor what I do: [A short alarum. [Alarum. Another skirmish. It will not be:-Retire into your trenches: For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.- In spite of us, or aught that we could do. The shame hereof will make me hide my head. [Alarum. Retreat. Exeunt Talbot and his forces, &c. |