Bear her this jewel, pledge of my affection.
They would but stink and putrefy the air. And so, my lord protector, see them guarded
Cha. Go, take their bodies hence.
And safely brought to Dover; where inship;'d
Lucy.
I'll bear them hence: Commit them to the fortune of the sea.
But from their ashes shall be rear'd
A phoenix that shall make all France afeard.
Cha. So we be rid of them, do with 'em what
thou wilt.

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Exeunt King HENRY and Train; GLOV-
CESTER, EXETER, and Ambassadors.
Win. Stay, my lord legate: you shall first
receive

Ley. I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.
Win. Aside. Now Winchester will not submit,
I trow,

Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive
That neither in birth or for authority
The bishop will be overborne by thee:
I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny. Exeunt.

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SCENE II.-France. Plains in Anjou.
Enter CHARLES, BURGUNDY, ALENÇON, JOAN
LA PUCELLE, and Forces, marching.
Cha. These news, my lords, may cheer our
drooping spirits:

'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the war-like French.

Alen. Then march to Paris, royal Charles of
France,

And keep not back your powers in dalliance.
Joan. Peace be amongst them if they turn to us;
Else, ruin combat with their palaces!

Enter a Scout.

Scout. Success unto our valiant general,
And happiness to his accomplices!
Cha. What tidings send our scouts ? I prithee,
speak.

10

Scout. The English army, that divided was
Into two parties, is now conjoin'd in one,
And means to give you battle presently.
Cha. Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is;
But we will presently provide for them.
Bur. I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there:
Now he is gone,
lord, you need not fear.
Joan. Of all base passions, fear is most accurs'd.
Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine;
Let Henry fret and all the world repine.

20

Cha. Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate! Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The Sume. Before Angiers.
Alarums. Excursions. Enter JOAN LA PUCELLE.
Joan. The regent conquers and the French-
men fly.

Now help, ye charming spells and periapts;
And ye choice spirits that admonish me
And give me signs of future accidents :

Thunder.

You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north,
Appear and aid me in this enterprise!
Enter Fiends.

10

So you do condescend to help me now.
They hang their heads.
No hope to have redress? My body shall
Pay recompense if you will grant my suit.

They shake their heads.

|

Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice
Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
Then take my soul; my body, soul, and all,
Before that England give the French the foil.
They depart.
See! they forsake me. Now the time is come
That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest,
And let her head fall into England's lap.
My ancient incantations are too weak,
And hell too strong for me to buckle with:
Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.
Exit.

2)

O fairest beauty! do not fear nor fly,
For I will touch thee but with reverent hands.
I kiss these fingers for eternal peace,
And lay them gently on thy tender side.
Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee. 50
Mar. Margaret my name, and daughter to a
king,

The King of Naples, whosoe'er thou art.

Suf. An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd.
Be not offended, nature's miracle,
Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me :
So doth the swan her downy cygnets save,

This speedy and quick appearance argues proof Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings.
Of your accustom'd diligence to me.
Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd
Out of the powerful legions under earth,
Help me this once, that France may get the field.
They walk, and speak not.
O hold me not with silence over-long.
Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
I'll lop a member off and give it you
In earnest of a further benefit,

Yet, if this servile usage once offend,

60

Go and be free again, as Suffolk's friend.
She turns away as going.
O, stay! I have no power to let her pass;
My hand would free her, but my heart says no.
As plays the sun upon the glassy streams,
Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak :
I'll call for pen and ink and write my mind.
Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself;
Hast not a tongue? is she not here thy prisoner?
Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight?
Ay; beauty's princely majesty is such,

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91

Confounds the tongue and makes the senses | And, madam, at your father's castle walls rough.

We'll crave a parley, to confer with him. Mar. Say, Earl of Suffolk, if thy name be so,

Troops come forrard. What ransom must I pay before I pass ?

A Parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER, on the walls. For I perceive I am thy prisoner.

Suf. How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit, See, Reignier, see thy daughter prisoner! Before thou make a trial of her love ?

Reig. To whom? Mar. Why speak'st thou not? what ransom Suf.

To me. must I pay?

Reig.

Suffolk, what remedy ! Suf. She's beautiful and therefore to be woo'd; I am a soldier, and unapt to weep She is a woman, therefore to be won.

Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness. Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea or no? Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord : Suf. Fond man! remember that thou hast a Consent, and for thy honour give consent, wife;

81 Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king, Then how can Margaret be thy paramour ? Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto; Mar. I were best to leave him, for he will not And this her easy-held imprisonment hear.

Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty. Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling Reig. Speaks Suffolk as he thinks! card.

Suf.

Fair Margaret knows Mar. He talks at random ; sure, the man is That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign. mad.

Reig. Upon thy princely warrant, I descend Suf. And yet a dispensation may be had. To give thee answer of thy just demand. Mar. And yet I would that you would answerme.

Exit from the realls. Suf. I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Suf. And here I will expect thy coming. Why, for my king : tush! that's a wooden thing. Mar. He talks of wood: it is some carpenter.

Trumpets sounded. Enter REIGNIER. Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,

Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our territories: And peace established between these realms. Command in Anjou what your honour pleases. But there remains a scruple in that too ;

Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a l'or though her father be the King of Naples, child, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, Fit to be made companion with a king. And our nobility will scorn the match.

What answer makes your grace unto my suit? Mar. Hear ye, captain ? Are you not at leisure? Reig. Since thou dost deign to woo her little

Suf. It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much : worth
Henry is youthful and will quickly yield. To be the princely bride of such a lord
Madam, I have a secret to reveal.

100 Upon condition I may quietly Mar. What though I be enthrall'd ? he seems Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou, a knight,

Free from oppression or the stroke of war, And will not any way dishonour me.

My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please. Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. Suf. That is her ransom; I deliver hier;

Mar. Perhaps I shall be rescu'd by the French; And those two counties I will undertake And then I need not crave his courtesy.

Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy. Suf. Sweet madam, give me hearing in a Reig. And I again, in Henry's royal name, 160

As deputy unto that gracious king, Mar. Tush! women have been captivate ere Give thee her hand for sign of plighted faith. now.

Suf. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly Suf. Lady, wherefore talk you so ?

thanks, Mar. I cry you mercy, 'tis but quid for quo. Because this is in traffic of a king:

Suf. Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Aside. And yet, metlıinks, I could be well content Your bondage happy to be made a queen ? To be mine own atiorney in this case.

Mar. To be a queen in bondage is more vile I'll over then to England with this news Than is a slave in base servility;

And make this marriage to be solemniz'd. For princes should be free.

So farewell, Reignier : set this diamond safe Suf.

And so shall you, In golden palaces, as it becomes. If happy England's royal king be free.

Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? | The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.

Suf. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen, Mar. Farewell, my lord. Good wishes, praise To put a golden sceptre in thy hand,

and prayers And set a precious crown upon thy head, Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. Going. If thou wilt condescend to be my

Suf. Farewell, sweet madam! Mar.

What?

Margaret ; Suf. His love.

No princely commendations to my king? Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife. Mar. Such commendations as becomes a maid,

Suf. No, gentle madam ; I unworthy am A virgin and his servant, say to him. To woo so fair a dame to be his wife

Suf. Words sweetly plac'd and modestly And have no portion in the choice myself.

directed. How say you, madam, are ye so content? But, madam, I must trouble you again ;

Mar. An if my father please, I am content. No loving token to his majesty ? Suf. Then call our captains and our colours Mar. Yes, my good lord ; a pure unspotted forth!

beart,

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cause

111

But hark you,

120

Never yet taint with love, I send the king.
Suf. And this withal.

Kisses her.
Mar. That for thyself: I will not so presume
To send such peevish tokens to a king.

Exeunt REIGNIER and MARGARET. Suf. O! wert thou for myself. But, Suffolk, stay;

Thou may'st not wander in that labyrinth;
There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise:
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
And natural graces that extinguish art;
Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
That, when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet,
Thou may'st bereave him of his wits with
wonder.

Exit.

SCENE IV.-Camp of the Duke of YORK in
Anjou.

Enter YORK, WARWICK, and Others.

York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to burn.

190

Enter JOAN LA PUCELLE, guarded; and a
Shepherd.

Have I sought every country far and near,
And, now it is my chance to find thee out,
Must I behold thy timeless cruel death?
Ah! Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee.
Joan. Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
I am descended of a gentler blood:
Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.
Shep. Out, out! My lords, an please you, 'tis

10

not so;

I did beget her all the parish knows:
Her mother liveth yet, can testify
She was the first fruit of my bachelorship.
War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage?
York. This argues what her kind of life hath

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,

Shep. Ah! Joan, this kills thy father's heart Although ye hale me to a violent death.

outright.

York. Now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child!

been:
Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
Shep. Fie! Joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle;
God knows thou art a collop of my flesh;
And for thy sake have I shed many a tear:
Deny me not, I prithee, gentle Joan.

Joan. Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn'd
this man,

Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.

Shep. 'Tis true I gave a noble to the priest
The morn that I was wedded to her mother.
Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl.
Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time
Of thy nativity! I would the milk
Thy mother gave thee when thou suck'dst her
breast,

20

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 guiltless 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.
York. Ay, ay: away with her to execution!
War. And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid,
Spare for no fagots, let there be enow:
Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,
That so her torture may be shortened.

Joan. Will nothing turn your unrelenting

43

50

It was Alençon that enjoy'd my love.

York. Alençon! that notorious Machiavel: It dies an if it had a thousand lives.

63

War. The greatest miracle that e'erye 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.

71

Joan. You are deceiv'd; my child is none of his:

Joan. 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,

80

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.

Joan. 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 or hang yourselves!
Exit, guarded.
York. Break thou in pieces and consume to
ashes,

90

31

Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake!
Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs a-field,
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 lived too

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130

And bere at hand the Dauphin and his train 10 Jur. How say'st thou, Charles ? shall our Approacheth to confer about some matter.

condition stand ? York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect ? Cha. It shall; After the slaughter of so many peers,

Only reserv'd, yon claim no interest So many captains, gentlemen, and soldiers, In any of our towns of garrison. That in this quarrel have been overthrown, York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty, And sold their bodies for their country's benefit, As thou art knight, never to disobey Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, Have we not lost most part of all the towns, Thou, nor thy pobles, to the crown of England. By treason, falsehood, and by treachery, So now dismiss your army when ye please; Our great progenitors had conquered ! 110 Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still, 0! Warwick, Warwick, I foresee with grief For here we entertain a solemn peace. Exeunt. The utter loss of all the realm of France.

War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, It shall be with such strict and severe covenants

SCENE V.---Lonulon. The Palace. As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.

Enter King HENRY, in conference with SufEnter CAARLES, attended ; ALENÇON, the Bas

FOLK; GLOUCESTER ani EXETER follox. tard of ORLEANS, REIGNIER, and Others. ing. Cha. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed K. Ven. Your wondrous rare description, voble That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France, earl, We come to be informed by yourselves

Of beauteous Margaret hath astonishid me: What the conditions of that league must be. ller virtues graced with external gifts York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler Do breed love's settled passions in my heart : chokes

And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts The hollow passage of my poison'd voice, Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide, By sight of ihese our baleful enemies.

So am I driven by breath of her renown Car. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: Either to suffer shipwreck, or arrive That, in regard King Henry gives consent, Where I may have fruition of her love. Of mere compassion and of lenity,

Suf. Tush! my good lord, this superficial tale To ease your country of distressful war, Is but a preface of her worthy praise : And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace, The chief perfections of that lovely dame, You shall become true liegemen to his crowo. Had I sufficient skill to utter them, And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear Would make a volume of enticing lines, To pay bim tribute, and submit thyself,

Able to ravish any dull conceit: Thou shalt be plac'd as viceroy under him, And, which is more, she is not so divine, And still enjoy thy regal dignity.

So full replete with choice of all delights, Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself ? But with as humble lowliness of mind Adorn his temples with a coronet,

She is content to be at your command; And yet, in substance and authority,

Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents, Retain but privilege of a private man?

To love and honour Henry as her lord. This proffer is absurd and reasonless.

K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er preCha. 'Tis known already that I am possess'd With more than half the Gallian territories, Therefore, my lord protector, give consent And therein reverenc'd for their lawful king : That Margaret may be England's royal queen. Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd, Glou. So should I give consent to llatter sin. Detract so much from that prerogative

You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd As to be call’d but viceroy of the whole ? Unto another lady of esteem; No, lord ambassador ; I'll rather keep

How shall we then dispense with that contract, That which I have than, coveting for more, And not deface your honour with reproach? Be cast from possibility of all.

Suf. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths ; %) York. Insulting Charles ! hast thou by secret Or one that, at a triumph baving vow'd

To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists Usd intercession to obtain a league,

By reason of his adversary's odds.
And, now the matter grows to compromise, A poor carl's daughter is unequal odds,
Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison ?

And therefore may be broke without offence. Either accept the title thou usurp'st,

Glou. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more Of benefit proceeding from our king

than that? Avd not of any challenge of desert,

Her father is no better than an earl, Or we will plague thee with incessant wars. Although in glorious titles he excel.

Reig. My lord, you do not well in obstivacy Suf. Yes, my good lord, her father is a king, To cavil in the course of this contract :

The King of Naples and Jerusalem ; If once it be neglected, ten to one

And of such great authority in France We shall not find like opportunity.

As his alliance will confirm our peace, Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance. To save your subjects from such massacre Glou. And so the Earl of Armagnac may do. And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen Because he is near kinsman unto Charles. By our proceediug in hostility ;

Ere. Beside, his wealth doth warrant a liberal And therefore take this compact of a truce,

dower, Although you break it when your pleasure serves. Where Reignier sooner will receive thau give.

a1

sume.

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means

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160