I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee! 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, 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, 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, and 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 ! Drive you to break your necks, or hang yourselves! [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 York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect? War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, 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: Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself? And yet, in substance and authority, Char. "Tis known, already that I am possess'd 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 Used intercession to obtain a league; And, now the matter grows to compromise, Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison? Or we will plague thee with incessant wars. Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy, And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure serves. [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; As thou art knight, never to disobey, Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.— [CHARLES, and the rest, give Tokens of fealty. So, now dismiss your army when ye please; Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still, [Exeunt. |