Bast. Mine was secure. Reig. And so was mine, my lord. Char. And, for myself, most part of all this night, Then how, or which way, should they first break in? Alarum. Enter an English Soldier crying, a Talbot! [Exit. SCENE II. ORLEANS. WITHIN THE TOWN. Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundy, a Captain, Bed. The day begins to break, and night is fled, [Retreat sounded. Tal. Bring forth the body of old Salisbury; The treacherous manner of his mournful death, I muse, we met not with the Dauphin's grace; Bed. 'Tis thought, lord Talbot, when the fight began, Rous'd on the sudden from their drowsy beds, Bur. Myself (as far as I could well discern, Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves, That could not live asunder day or night. After that things are set in order here, We'll follow them with all the power we have. Enter a Messenger. Mess. All hail, my lords! which of this princely train Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts So much applauded through the realm of France? Tal. Here is the Talbot; Who would speak with him? Mess. The virtuous lady, countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown, By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe That she may boast, she hath beheld the man men Could not prevail with all their oratory, Yet hath a woman's kindness over-rul'd:- Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will: Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, I mean to prove this lady's courtesy. Come hither, captain. [Whispers.]-You perceive my mind. Capt. I do, my lord; and mean accordingly. AUVERGNE. SCENE III. [Exeunt. COURT OF THE CASTLE. Enter the Countess and her Porter. Count. Porter, remember what I gave in charge; And, when you have done so, bring the keys to me. Port. Madam, I will. [Exit. Count. The plot is laid: if all things fall out right, I shall as famous be by this exploit, As Scythian Thomyris by Cyrus' death. Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight, Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, Enter Messenger and Talbot. Mess. Madam, According as your ladyship desir'd, By message crav'd, so is lord Talbot come. Count. And he is welcome. man? Mess. Madam, it is. Count. What! is this the Is this the scourge of France? Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad, That with his name the mothers still their babes? I see, report is fabulous and false: I thought, I should have seen some Hercules, D A second Hector, for his grim aspéct, It cannot be, this weak and writhled shrimp Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you: Count. What means he now?-Go ask him, whither he goes. Mess. Stay, my lord Talbot; for my lady craves To know the cause of your abrupt departure. Tal. Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief, go to certify her, Talbot's here. I Re-enter Porter, with keys. Count, If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. Count. To me, blood-thirsty lord; Wasted our country, slain our citizens, Count. Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. Tal. I laugh to see your ladyship so fond, To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow, |