Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors. Alen. Of all exploits, since first I follow'd arms, Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprise More venturous, or desperate, than this. Bast. I think, this Talbot be a fiend of hell. Reig. If not of hell, the heavens, sure, favour him. Alen. Here cometh Charles; I marvel how he sped. Enter Charles and La Pucelle. Bast. Tut! holy Joan was his defensive guard. Char. Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame? Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal, Make us partakers of a little gain, That now our loss might be ten times so much? Puc. Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend? At all times will you have my power alike? Char. Duke of Alençon, this was your default; We had not been thus shamefully surpris'd. Reig. And so was mine, my lord. Char. And, for myself, most past of all this night, Within her quarter, and my own precinct, I was employ'd in passing to and fro, Then how, or which way, should they first break in? place But weakly guarded, where the breach was made. And now there rests no other shift but this,- Alarum. Enter an English Soldier, crying A Talbot ! [Exit. 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; What ruin happen'd in revenge of him, A tomb, wherein his corpse shall be interr'd: The treacherous manner of his mournful death, * Plans, schemes. I muse*, we met not with the dauphin's grace; His new-come champion, virtuous Joan of Arc; Nor any of his false confederates. 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, That could not live asunder day or night. 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, good lord, thou would'st 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-ruled :And therefore tell her, I return great thanks; ti. e. Where she dwells. * Wonder. And in submission will attend on her.- Bed. No, truly; it is more than manners will : And I have heard it said,-Unbidden guests Are often welcomest when they are gone. 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. SCENE III. [Exeunt. Auvergne. 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? * For opinion. I see, report is fabulous and false: I thought I should have seen some Hercules, And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs. 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, I go to certify her, Talbot's here. Re-enter Porter, with keys. Count. If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. Count. But now the substance shall endure the like; Count. Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. Tal. I laugh to see your ladyship so fond +, Count. Why, art not thou the man? I am indeed. Count. Then have I substance too, * Wrinkled. † Foolish. |