Glo. We will not fly, but to our enemies' throats: Bedford, if thou be slack, I'll fight it out. An Bed. Glo'ster, why doubt'st thou of ness? my forward army have I muster'd in my thoughts, Wherewith already France is over-run. Enter a third Messenger. 3 Mess. My gracious lords,-to add to your laments, Wherewith you now bedew king Henry's hearse,I must inform you of a dismal fight, Betwixt the stout lord Talbot and the French. Win. What! wherein Talbot overcame? is't so? 3 Mess. O, no; wherein lord Talbot was o'erthrown: The circumstance I'll tell you more at large. Having full scarce six thousand in his troop, No leisure had he to enrank his men; Here, there, and every where, enrag'd he slew: Whom all France, with their chief assembled strength, Durst not presume to look once in the face. Bed. Is Talbot slain? then I will slay myself, and ease, For living idly here, in pomp Whilst such a worthy leader, wanting aid, 3 Mess. O no, he lives; but is took prisoner, Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take, Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake. 3 Mess. So you had need; for Orleans is be sieg'd; The English army is grown weak and faint: And hardly keeps his men from mutiny, Exe. Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn; Either to quell the Dauphin utterly, Or bring him in obedience to your yoke. Το Bed. I do remember it; and here take leave, go about my preparation. [Exit. Glo. I'll to the Tower with all the haste I can, To view the artillery and munition; And then I will proclaim young Henry king. [Exit. Exe. To Eltham will I, where the young king is, Being ordain'd his special governor; And for his safety there I'll best devise. [Exit. Win. Each hath his place and function to attend: I am left out; for me nothing remains. [Exit. Scene closes. SCENE II. FRANCE. BEFORE ORLEANS. Enter Charles, with his forces; Alençon, Reignier, and Others. Char. Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens, So in the earth, to this day is not known: Alen. They want their porridge, and their fat Either they must be dieted, like mules, And have their provender ty'd to their mouths, here? Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear: Char. Sound, sound alarum; we will rush on them. Now for the honour of the forlorn French:— Him I forgive my death, that killeth me, When he sees me go back one foot, or fly. [Exeunt. Alarums; Excursions; afterwards a Retreat. Re-enter Charles, Alençon, Reignier, and Others. Char. Who ever saw the like? what men have I? Dogs! cowards! dastards!-I would ne'er have fled, But that they left me 'midst my enemies. Alen. Froisard, a countryman of ours, records, For none but Sampsons, and Goliasses, It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hairbrain'd slaves, And hunger will enforce them to be more eager: Reig. I think, by some odd gimmals or device, Alen. Be it so. |