Win. Each hath his place and function to attend: I am left out; for me nothing remains. But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office; The king from Eltham I intend to send, And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. [Exit. Scene closes. SCENE II. France. Before Orleans. Enter Charles, with his forces; Alençon, Reignier, and others. Char. Mars his true moving, even as in the hea vens, So in the earth, to this day is not known: Alen. They want their porridge, and their fat bullbeeves: Either they must be dieted like mules, And have their provender tyed to their mouths, Reig. Let's raise the siege; Why live we idly here? Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear: Now for the honour of the forlorn French :- [Exeunt. Alarums; excursions; afterwards a retreat. Re-enter Charles, Alençon, Reignier, and others. Char. Who ever saw the like? what men have I?Dogs! cowards! dastards!-I would ne'er have fled, But that they left me 'midst my enemies. Reig. Salisbury is a desperate homicide; He fighteth as one weary of his life. The other lords, like lions wanting food, Do rush upon us as their hungry prey*. Alen. Froissard, a countryman of ours, records, England all Olivers and Rowlands bred, During the time Edward the third did reign. More truly now may this be verified; For none but Samsons, and Goliases, It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten! Lean raw-bon'd rascals! who would e'er suppose They had such courage and audacity? Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hair. brain'd slaves, And hunger will enforce them to be more eager: Of old I know them; rather with their teeth i.e. The prey for which they are hungry. + A gimmal is a piece of jointed work, where one piece moves within another; here it is taken at large for an engine. Enter the Bastard of Orleans. Bast. Where's the prince dauphin? I have news for him. Char. Bastard* of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. Bust. Methinks your looks are sad, your cheert Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence? Which, by a vision sent to her from heaven, And drive the English forth the bounds of France. What's past, and what's to come, she can descry. Char. Go, call her in: [Erit Bastard.] But, first, to try her skill, Reignier, stand thou as dauphin in my place: Question her proudly, let thy looks be stern:By this means shall we sound what skill she hath. [Retires. Enter La Pucelle, Bastard of Orleans, and others. Reig. Fair maid, is't thou wilt do these wond'rous feats? Puc. Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to beguile me?- Where is the dauphin?-come, come from behind; Stand back, you lords, and give us leave a while. *This was not in former times a term of reproach. + Countenance. Reig. She takes upon her bravely at first dash. Puc. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter, My wit untrain'd in any kind of art. Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleas'd My courage try by combat, if thou dar'st, Char. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high Only this proof I'll of thy valour make,- Puc. I am prepar'd: here is my keen-edg'd sword, Out of a deal of old iron I chose forth. Char. Then come o'God's name, I fear no woman. Puc. And, while I live, I'll ne'er fly from a man. [They fight. Char. Stay, stay thy hands; thou art an Amazon, And fightest with the sword of Deborah. Be firmly persuaded of it, Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too weak. Char. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must help me : Impatiently I burn with thy desire; My heart and hands thou hast at once subdu'd. Char. Mean time, look gracious on thy prostrate thrall. Reig. My lord, methink, is very long in talk. Alen. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock; Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Reig. 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. Reig. My lord, where are you? what devise you on? Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Puc. Why, no, I say, distrustful recreants! Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard. Char. What she says, I'll confirm; we'll fight it out. Puc. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge. Glory is like a circle in the water, * Expect prosperity after misfortune. |