Imatges de pàgina
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Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet call the ambassadors; and, as you please,
So let them have their answers every one:
I shall be well content with any choice,
Tends to God's glory, and my country's weal.

Enter a Legate, and two Ambassadors, with WIN-
CHESTER, in a Cardinal's Habit.

Exe. What is my lord of Winchester install'd,
And call'd unto a cardinal's degree !4
Then, I perceive, that will be verified,
Henry the fifth did sometime prophecy,-

If once he come to be a cardinal,

He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.

K. Hen. My lords ambassadors, your several suits
Have been consider'd and debated on.

Your purpose is both good and reasonable;
And, therefore, we are certainly resolv'd
To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
Which, by my lord of Winchester, we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.

Glo. And for the proffer of my lord your master,-
I have inform'd his highness so at large,
As-liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,

Her beauty, and the value of her dower,-
He doth intend she shall be England's queen.

K. Hen. In argument and proof of which contract, Bear her this jewel, [To the Ambassadors.] pledge of my affection.

And so, my lord protector, see them guarded,
And safely brought to Dover; where, inshipp'd,
Commit them to the fortune of the sea.

[Exeunt King HENRY and Train; GLOSTER,
EXETER, and Ambassadors.

Win. Stay, my lord legate; you shall first receive The sum of money, which I promised

Should be deliver'd to his holiness

For clothing me in these grave ornaments.

Leg. I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.
Win. Now, Winchester will not submit, I trow,

Or be inferior to the proudest peer.

[4] It should seem from the stage direction prefixed to this scene, and from the conversation between the Legate and Winchester, that the author meant it to be understood that the bishop had obtained his cardina's hat only just before his present entry.. The inaccuracy, therefore, was in making Gloster address him by that title in the beginning of the play. He in fact obtained it in the fifth year of Henry's reign. MAL.

7

VOL. V.

Humphrey of Gloster, thou shalt well perceive,
'That, neither in birth, or for authority,5
The bishop will be overborne by thee:

I'll either make thee stoop, and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny.

SCENE II.

[Exeunt.

France. Plains in Anjou. Enter CHARLES, BURGUNDY, ALENÇON, LA PUCELLE, and Forces, marching.

Char. These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:

Tis said, the stout Parisians do revolt,

And turn again unto the warlike French.

Alen. Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France, And keep not back your powers in dalliance.

Puc. Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us; Else, ruin combat with their palaces!

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. Success unto our valiant general,

And happiness to his accomplices!

Char.What tidings send our scouts? I pr'ythee, speak. Mess. The English army, that divided was

Into two parts, is now conjoin'd in one ;

And means to give you battle presently.

Char. Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is ;

But we will presently provide for them.

Bur. I trust, the ghost of Talbot is not there;

Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear.

Puc. Of all base passions, fear is most accurs'd :— Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine; Let Henry fret, and all the world repine.

Char. Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate? [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The same. Before Angiers. Alarums: Excursions. Enter

LA PUCELLE.

Puc. The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.Now help, ye charming spells, and periapts ;6

[5] I would read-for birth. That is, thou shalt not rule me, though thy birth is legitimate, and thy authority supreme. JOHNS.

[6] Charms sowed up. Ezek. xiii. 18: "Woe to them that sow pillows to all arm holes, to hunt souls." POPE Periapts were worn about the neck as preservatives from disease or danger. Of these, the first chapter of St. John's Gospel was deemed the most efficacious. STEEV.

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Pucelle. Then take my soul; my body, soul, and all, before that England give the French the foil. See, they forsake me.

And ye choice spirits that admonish me,
And give me signs of future accidents!
You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north,7
Appear, and aid me in this enterprize!

Enter Fiends.

This speedy quick appearance argues proof
Of your accustomed diligence to me.
Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd,
Out of the powerful regions under earth,

[Thunder.

Help me this once, that France may get the field.

[They walk about, and speak not.

O, hold me not with silence over-long!

Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
I'll lop a member off, and give it you,
In earnest of a further benefit ;
So you do condescend to help me now.

[They hang their heads.

No hope to have redress ?-My body shall
Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit.

[They shake their heads.

Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice,
Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
Then take my soul; my body, soul, and all,

hart.

Before that England give the French the foil. [They de-
See they forsake me. Now the time is come,
That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest, 8
And let her head fall into England's lap.
My ancient incantations àre too weak,
And hell too strong for me to buckle with:
Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust,
Alarums. Enter French and English fighting.

[Exit.

LA PUCELLE

and YORK fight hand to hand. LA PUCELLE is taken. 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,

The

[7] The north was always supposed to be the particular habitation of bad spirits. Milton, therefore,assembled the rebel angels in the north. JOHN. The boast of Lucifer in the xivth chapter of Isaiah is said to be, that he avill sit upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. STEE. [8] That is, lower it, STEEV.

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