Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.1 Alen. Froissard, a countryman of ours, records, It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Charles. Let's leave this town; for they are hairbrain'd slaves, And hunger will enforce them to be more eager. The walls they'll tear down, than forsake the siege. Rei. I think, by some odd gimmals 3 or device, Enter BASTARD OF ORLEANS. Bas. Where's the prince Dauphin? I have news for him. Charles. Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. i. e. the prey for which they are hungry. 2 Famous peers in the time of Charlemagne. 3 A gimmal is a piece of jointed work, where one piece moves within another: here it is taken at large for an engine. Bas. Methinks, your looks are sad, your cheer 1 appall❜d. Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence? Be not dismay'd, for succour is at hand: A holy maid hither with me I bring, Which, by a vision sent to her from Heaven, And drive the English forth the bounds of France. Charles. Go, call her in: [Exit Bastard.] but, first, to try her skill, Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place : Enter LA PUCelle, bastard of orleans, and others. Rei. Fair maid, is 't thou wilt do these wondrous feats ? Pu. Reignier, is 't thou that thinkest to beguile me? Where is the Dauphin ?—come, come from behind; Countenance. 2 Meaning, probably, the nine sibylline books brought to one of the Tarquins. 8/1AK. VII. B I know thee well, though never seen before. Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleased Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, Will'd me to leave my base vocation, And, whereas I was black and swart before, My courage try by combat, if thou darest, Charles. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms: Be firmly persuaded of this. Only this proof I'll of thy valor make ;— Pu. I am prepared: here is my keen-edged sword, yard, Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth. Charles. Then come, o' God's name; I fear no woman. Pu. And, while I live, I'll ne'er fly from a man. zon, And fightest with the sword of Deborah. Pu. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too weak. Charles. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must help me : Impatiently I burn with thy desire; My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued. Let me thy servant, and not sovereign be. Charles. Meantime, look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Rei. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk. Alen. Doubtless, he shrives this woman to her smock; Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Rei. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean? Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do know : These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. Rei. My lord, where are you? what devise you on? Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Pu. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! Pu. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge. Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to naught. Now am I like that proud insulting ship, 1 Expect prosperity after misfortune, like fair weather after winter has begun. |