Oh, hold me not with silence over-long!
Where I was wont to feed you with
I'll lop a member off, and give it you,
In earnest of a future benefit;

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 Poole! disable not thyself“;

5

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,
Confoundsthe tongue, and makes the senses rough.
Mar. Say, earl of Suffolk,—if thy name be so,-
10 What ransom must I pay before I pass?
For, I perceive, I am thy prisoner.

Suf.How can'st thou tell, she will deny thy suit,
Before thou make a trial of her love? [Aside.
Mar. Why speak'st thou not? what ransom
must I pay?

my blood,

So you do condescend to help me now.-
[They hang their heads.
No hope to have redress-My body shall
Pay recompence, if you will grant my suit.
[They shake their heads.
Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice,
Intreat 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, 15
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. 20
Excursions. Pucelle and York fight hand to hand.

•

Suf. She's beautiful; and therefore to be woo'd:
She is a woman; therefore to be won.
Aside.
Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no?
Suf. Fond 'man! reinember, that thou hast a
wife;

Pucelle is taken. The French fly.
York. Damsel of France, I think, I have you fast:
Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms,
And try if they can gain your liberty.-
A goodly prize! fit for the devil's grace!
See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows,
As if, with Circe, she would change my shape. [be.

25

Pucel. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not
York. Oh, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; 30
No shape but his can please your dainty eye. [thee!

Then how can Margaret be thy paramour? [Aside.
Mar. I were best to leave him, for he will not
hear.
[card.
Suf. There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling
Mar. He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
Suf. And yet a dispensation may be had.
Mar. And yet Iwould that youwould answer me.
Suf. I'll win this lady Margaret. For whom?
Why, for my king: Tush! that's a wooden thing*.
Mar. He talks of wood: it is some carpenter.
Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfy'd,
And peace established between these realms.
But there remains a scruple in that too:
For though her father be the king of Naples,
Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet he is poor,
And our nobility will scorn the match. [Aside
Mar. Hear ye, captain? Are you not at leisure?
Suf. It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much :
Henry is youthful, and will quickly yield.
Madam, Fhave a secret to reveal.

Pucél. A plaguing mischief light on Charles, and
And may ye both be suddenly surpris'd
By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!
York. Fell, banning hag! enchantress, hold thy 35
tongue.

Pucel. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a while.
York.Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the
stake.
[Exeunt.
Alarum. Enter Suffolk, leading in lady Margaret. 40
Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
[Gazes on her.
Oh 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.

[knight,
Mar. What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a
And will not any way dishonour me. [Aside.
Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
Mar. Perhaps, I shall be rescu'd by the French;
43 And then I need not crave his courtesy. [Aside.
Suf.Sweet madam,give me hearing in a cause—
Mar. Tush! women have been captivate ere
[Aside.

now.

1501

Mar. Margaret my name; and daughter to a
The king of Naples, whosoe'er thou art. [king,
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,
Keeping them prisoners underneath her wings.
Yet, if this servile usage once offend,
Go, and be free again, as Suffolk's friend.
[She is going.
Oh, 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,

Suf. Lady, wherefore talk you so?
Mar. I cry you mercy, 'tis but quid for quo.
Suf. Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose
Your bondage happy to be made a queen?

Mar. To be a queen in bondage, is more vile,
Than is a slave in base servility;

55 For princes should be free.
Suf. And so shall you,

If happy England's royal king be free.

Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto me? Suf. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen; 60To put a golden scepter in thy hand,

And set a precious crown upon thy head,

To ban is to curse. Do not represent thyself so weak. To disable the judgement of another was, in our author's age, the same as to destroy its credit or authority. i. c. foolish. awkward business, an undertaking not likely to succeed.

i, e. an

P

If thou wilt condescend to be my
Mar. What?
Suf. His love.

Mar. I am unworthy to be Henry's wife.
Suf. No, gentle madam; I unworthy am
To woo so fair a dame to be his wife,
And have no portion in the choice myself.
How say you, madam; are you so content?

Mar. An if my father please, I am content.
Suf. Then call our captains, and our colours,

forth:

Reig. I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, king Henry, were he here. Mar. Farewell, my lord! Good wishes, praise, and prayers,

Reig. Suffolk, what remedy?

I am a soldier; and unapt to weep,
Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.

5 Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [She is going. Suf. Farewell, sweet madam! But hark you, Margaret;

No princely commendations to my king?

Mar. Such commendations as become a maid,'
10A virgin, and his servant, say to him. [rected.
Suf. Words sweetly plac'd, and modestly di-
But, madam, I must trouble you again,—
No loving token to his majesty?

And, madam, at your father's castle walls
We'll crave a parley to confer with him.
Enter Reignier on the Walls.

Sound.

[heart, Mar. Yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted

Suf. See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner. 15 Never yet taint with love, I send the king.
Reig. To whom?

Suf. To me.

Suf. Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:
Consent, (and, for thy honour, give consent)
Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king;
Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto;
And this her easy-held imprisonment
Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty.
Reig. Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
Suf. Fair Margaret knows,

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.
20 Suf. O, wert thou for myself!-But, Suffolk,
Thou may'st not wander in that labyrinth; [stay,
There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
Solicit Henry with her wond'rous praise :
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
25 Mad', 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.

30

21

That Suffolk doth not flatter, face or feign.
Reig. Upon thy princely warrant, I descend,
To give thee answer of thy just demand.
[Exit from the walls.
Suf. And here I will expect thy coming.
Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below.
Reig. Welcome, brave earl, into our territories, 35
Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.
Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a
child,

Fit to be made companion with a king:
What answer makes your grace unto my suit?
Reig. Since thou dost deign to woo her little
To be the princely bride of such a lord; [worth,
Upon condition I may quietly

Enjoy mine own, the countries Maine and Anjou,
Free from oppression, or the stroke of war,
My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please.

Suf. That is her ransom, I deliver her;
And those two countries, I will undertake,
Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.

Reig. And I again,-in Henry's royal name,
As deputy unto that gracious king,
Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.
Suf. Reignier of France, I give thee kingly
thanks,
Because this is in traffic of a king:
And yet, methinks, I could be well content
To be mine own attorney in this case.
I'll over then to England with this news,
And make this marriage to be solemniz'd:
So, farewell, Reignier! Set this diamond safe
In golden palaces, as it becomes.

[Aside.

SCENE V.

Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou.
Enter York, Warwick, a Shepherd, and Pucelle.
York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to
burn.
[right!
Shep. Ah, Joan! this kills thy father's heart out-
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?
40 Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee!
Pucel. 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 not so;

45

I did beget her, all the parish knows;
Her mother liveth yet, can testify
She was the first fruit of my batchelorship.

50

War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? York. This argues what her kind of life hath been; Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.

55

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 pr'ythee, gentle Joan. [this man
Pucel. Peasant, avaunt!-You have suborn'd
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.-
60 Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl.
Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time

1i. e. childish. 2i. e. wild or uncultivated. avarice in this passage, but simply means a miserable creature.

004

3i. c. untimely. * Miser has no relation to A vulgar corruption of obstinate. Of

[breast,

Of thy nativity! I would, the milk
Thy mother gave thee, when thou suck'dst her
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 liv'd too
To fill the world with vicious qualities. [long,

Pucel. First, let me tell you whom you have 10
condemn'd:

5

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 youto break your necks, or hang yourselves!
[Exit guarded.
York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to
Thou foul accursed minister of hell! [ashes,
Enter Cardinal Beaufort, &c.

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 at these outrageous broils,'
Have earnestly implor'd a general peace
15 Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French;
And see at hand the Dauphin, and his train,'
Approacheth, to confer about some matters.

York. Is all our travel turn'd to this effect?
After the slaughter of so many peers,
20 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,
25 By treason, falsehood, and by treachery,

Our great progenitors had conquered?—
Oh, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France.

Not me begotten of a shepherd swain,
But issued 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 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, 30
Spare for no faggots, let there be enough:
Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,
That so her torture may be shorten'd.
Pucel.Will nothing turn yourunrelenting 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. [child?
York. Now heaven forefend! the holy maid with 40
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. [live;
War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards 45
Especially since Charles must father it.

Pucel. 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.

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, Alençon, Bastard, and Reignier.
Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed,
That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France,
35 We come to be informed by yourselves
What the conditions of that league must be.
York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler
choaks

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,
50 And still enjoy thy regal dignity.

Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself,
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 possess'd
Of more than half the Gallian territories,
And therein reverenc'd for their lawful king:
Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd,
Detract so much from that prerogative,
As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole?
No, lord embassador; I'll rather keep

Balefl had anciently the same meaning as baneful. 2 Coronet is here used for a crown.

That

Pucel. 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 55
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:60
Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. [my curse:
Pucel.Then lead me hence ;--with whom I leave

That which I have, than, coveting for more,
Be cast from possibility of all.

[means

York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret
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 obstinacy
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 ruthless 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 serves.
[Aside to the Dauphin.
War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our con-
dition stand?
Char. It shall:

To love and honour Henry as her lord. [sume.
K. Henry. And otherwise will Henry ne'er pre-
Therefore, my lord protector, give consent,
That Margaret may be England's royal queen.
Glo. So should I give consent to flatter sin.
You know, my lord, your highness is betroth'd
Unto another lady of esteem:

5

How shall we then dispense with that contract,
And not deface your honour with reproach?
10 Suf. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths;
Or one, that, at a triumph 2 having vow'd
To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists
By reason of his adversary's odds:
A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds,
15 And therefore may be broke without offence.
Glo. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than
Her father is no better than an earl, [that?
Although in glorious titles he excel.

20

Suf. Yes, my good lord, her father is a king,
The king of Naples, and Jerusalem;
And of such great authority in France,
As his alliance will confirm our peace,
And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance.

Glo. And so the earl of Armagnac may do, 25 Because he is near kinsman unto Charles.

Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant liberal
dower;

While Reignier sooner will receive than give.
Suf. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your

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.-30
[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,
For here we entertain a solemn peace. [Exeunt.

K. Henry. Your wond'rous rare description,
noble earl,

Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me:
Her virtues, graced with external gifts,
Do breed love's settled passions in my heart:
And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide;
So am I driven, by breath of her renown,
Either to suffer shipwreck, or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love.

Suf. Tush, my good lord! this superficial tale
Is but a preface of her worthy praise:
The chief perfections of that lovely dame
(Had I sufficient skill to utter them)
Would make a volume of enticing lines,
Able to ravish any dull conceit.
And, which is more, she is not so divine,
So full replete with choice of all delights,
But, with as humble lowliness of mind,
She is content to be at your command;
Command, I mean, of virtuous chaste intents,

king,

That he should be so abject, base, and poor,
To chuse for wealth, and not for perfect love.
Henry is able to enrich his queen,
And not to seek a queen to make him rich:
35 So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
As market-men for oxen, sheep, or horse.
But marriage is a matter of more worth,
Than to be dealt in by attorneyship ';
Not whom we will, but whom his grace affects,
Must be companion of his nuptial bed:
And, therefore, lords, since he affects her most,
It most of all these reasons bindeth us,
In our opinions she should be preferr'd.
For what is wedlock forced, but a hell,
45 An age of discord and continual strife?

Whereas the contrary bringeth forth bliss,
And is a pattern of celestial peace.
Whom should we match with Henry, being a king,
But Margaret, that is daughter to a king?
50 Her peerless feature, joined with her birth,
Approves her fit for none, but for a king:
Her valiant courage, and undaunted spirit,
(More than in woman commonly is seen) will
Answer our hope in issue of a kíng;
55 For Henry, son unto a conqueror,

Is likely to beget more conquerors,
If with a lady of so high resolve,
As is fair Margaret, he be link'd in love.
Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with me,
60 That Margaret shall be queen, and none but she.
K. Henry. Whether it be through force of your
My noble lord of Suffolk; or for that [report,

SCENE VI.
England.

7

A Room in the Palace.

Enter Suffolk in conference with King Henry: 40
Gloster, and Exeter.

2

1 Benefit is here a term of law. Be content to live as the beneficiary of our king. That is, at the sports by which a triumph is celebrated. 3i.e. by the discretional agency of another.

My

2

1i. e. judge. Grief in this line is taken generally for pain or uneasiness; in the line that fol Jows, specially for sorrow.