The king from Eltham I intend to send, And sit at chiefest stern of publick weal. SCENE II. [Exit. Scene closes. France. Before Orleans. Enter CHARLES, with his forces; ALENÇON, Char. Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens, So in the earth, to this day is not known : Alen. They want their porridge, and their fat bull- Either they must be dieted, like mules, And have their provender ty'd to their mouths, Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice. Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear: Char. Sound, sound alarum; we will rush on them. Now for the honour of the forlorn French :- When he sees me go back one foot, or fly. [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. Alen. Froisard, a countryman of ours, records, Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hair-brain'd slaves, And hunger will enforce them to be more eager : 5 Reig. I think, by some odd gimmals or device, Their arms are set, like clocks, still to strike on; Else ne'er could they hold out so, as they do. Enter the Bastard of Orleans. Bast. Where's the prince Dauphin? I have news for him. Char. Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. Bast. Methinks, your looks are sad, your cheer ap pall'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, Ordained is to raise this tedious siege, And drive the English forth the bounds of France. Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome"; What's past, and what's to come, she can descry. Char. Go, call her in: [Exit Bastard.] But, first, to try her skill, Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place : [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 Where is the Dauphin ?-come, come from behind; Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. 'My wit untrain'd in any kind of art, Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleas'd To shine on my contemptible estate : Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks, God's mother deigned to appear to me; And, in a vision full of majesty, Will'd me to leave my base vocation, And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex. If thou receive me for thy warlike mate. Char. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms; Only this proof I'll of thy valour make, In single combat thou shalt buckle with me; Puc. I am prepar'd: here is my keen-edg'd sword, yard, 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. 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. |