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 condemn'd:

Not me begotten of a shepherd swain,
But issu'd from the progeny of kings;
Virtuous, and holy; chosen from above,
By inspiration of celestial grace,

To work exceeding miracles on earth.
I never had to do with wicked spirits:
But you,
that are polluted with your lusts,
Stain'd with the guiltlefs blood of innocents,
Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices, -
Because you want the grace that others have,
You judge it straight a thing impossible
To compass wonders, but by help of devils.
No, misconceived! Joan of Arc hath been
A virgin from her tender infancy,

Chaste and immaculate in very thought;
Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effus'd,
Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.
away with her to execu

York. Ay, ay;

tion.

War. And hark ye, sirs; because she is a

maid,

Spare for no faggots, let there be enough:
Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,
That so her torture may be shortened.

Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting

hearts?

Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity;

That warranteth by law to be thy privilege. I am with child, ye bloody homicides: Murder not then the fruit within my womb, Although ye hale me to a violent death.

York. 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 Alençon, that enjoy'd my love.

York. Alençon! 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 marry'd 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

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!

But darkness and the gloomy shade of death
Environ you; till mischief, and despair,
Drive you to break your necks,

selves!

or hang your

[Exit, guarded.

York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to

ashes,

Thou foul accursed minister of hell!

Enter Cardinal BEAUFORT, attended.

Car. Lord regent, I do greet your excellence With letters of commission from the king. For know, my lords, the states of Christendom, Mov'd with remorse of these outrageous broils, Have earnestly implor'd a general peace Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French; And see at hand the Dauphin, and his train, Approacheth, to confer about some matter.

York. Is all our travel turn'd to this effect? After the slaughter of so many peers, So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers, That in this quarrel have been overthrown, And sold their bodies for their country's benefit, Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? Have we not lost most part of all the towns, By treason, falshood, and by treachery, Our great progenitors had conquered? O, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief The utter lofs of all the realm of France.

War. Be patient, York; if we conclude a

peace,

It shall be with such strict and severe covenants,

As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.

Enter CHARLES, attended; ALENÇON, 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. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler

chokes

The hollow passage of my poison'd voice,
By sight of these our baleful enemies.

Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted
thus:

That in regard king Henry gives consent,
Of meer compassion, and of lenity,

--

To ease your country of distressful war,
And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,
You shall become true liegemen to his crown;
And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear
To pay him tribute, and submit thyself,
Thou shalt be plac'd as viceroy under him,
And still enjoy thy regal dignity.

Alen. Must he be then as shadow of him self?

Adorn his temples with a coronet;
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 possefs'd

With more than half the Gallian territories,
And therein reverenc'd for their lawful king:
Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvainquish'd,
Detract so much from that prerogative,

As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole?
No, lord ambassador; I'll rather keep

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,
Of benefit proceeding from our king,
And not of any challenge of desert,
Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.
Reig. My lord, you do not well in obsti-

nacy

To cavil in the course of this contract:
If once it be neglected, ten to one,
We shall not find like opportunity.

Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy,
To save your subjects from such massacre,
And ruthlefs slaughters, as are daily seen
By our proceeding in hostility:

And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure [Aside, to Charles.

serves.

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;

As thou art knight, never to disobey,

Nor be rebellious to the crown of England,