And give me signs of future accidents,
You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north,
Appear, and aid me in this enterprise !
Enter Fiends.
This speedy and quick appearance, argues
Of your accustom'd diligence to me, [proof
Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd
Out of the powerful regions under earth,
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,
Before that England give the French the foil.
[They depart.
See, they forsake me: now the time is come,
That France must vail her lofty-plumèd 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.
Alarum. Enter French and English fighting:
La Pucelle and York fight hand to hand:
La Pucelle is taken. The French fly. [fast:
York. Damsel of France, I think I have you
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. Į
Puc. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst
not be.
[man; York. O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper No shape but his can please your dainty eye. Puc. A plaguing mischief light on Charles
What art thou? say, that I may honour thee. Mar. Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,
The king of Naples; whosoe'er thou art.
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 turns away as going.
O stay!-I have no power to let her pass;
My hand would free her, but my heart says-
As plays the sun upon the glassy streams, [no.
Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
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;
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, [rough.
Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses
Mar. Say, Earl of Suffolk,-if thy name be What ransom must I pay before I pass? [so,-For, I perceive, I am thy prisoner.
Suf. [Aside.] How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit,
Before thou make a trial of her love?
Mar. Why speak'st thou not? what ransom
must I pay?
[to be woo'd:
Suf. [Aside.] She's beautiful, and therefore
She is a woman, therefore to be won. [no?
Mar. Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or
Suf. [Aside.] Fond man! remember, that
Then, how can Margaret be thy paramour? Mar. I were best to leave him, for he will not hear.
Suf. [Aside.] There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card. [is mad. Mar. He talks at random: sure, the man Suf. [Aside.] And yet a dispensation may be had.
Mar. And yet I would that you would
And may ye both be suddenly surpris'd
By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!
York. Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold Why,
thy tongue!
[while.
Puc. I pr'ythee, give me leave to curse a
York. Curse, miscreant, when thou comest
to the stake.
[Exeunt.
Alarum. Enter Suffolk, leading in Lady
Margaret.
Suf. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
[Gazes on her.
O fairest beauty, do not fear, nor fly,
For I will touch thee but with reverent hands.
I kiss these fingers [Kissing her hand] for
And lay them gently on thy tender side.
Suf. [Aside.] I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? [thing! for my king: tush, that's a wooden Mar. [Overhearing him.] He talks of wood: [satisfied,
it is some carpenter. Suf. [Aside.] Yet so my fancy may be 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 is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match. Mar. Hear ye, captain,-are you not at leisure? [ne'er so much : Suf. [Aside.] It shall be so, disdain they Henry is youthful, and will quickly yield.— Madam, I have a secret to reveal.
Mar. [Aside.] What though I be enthrall'd? Fit to be made companion with a king : he seems a knight,
And will not any way dishonour me.
Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say. Mar. [Aside.] Perhaps, I shall be rescu'd by the French;
And then I need not crave his courtesy.
Suf. Sweet madam, give me hearing in a
[captivate ere now.
Mar. [Aside.] Tush, women have been
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
Than is a slave in base servility;
For princes should be free.
What answer makes your grace unto my suit? Reig. Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
To be the princely bride of such a lord,
Upon condition I may quietly
Enjoy mine own, the county 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 counties, 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 ::[Aside.] And yet, methinks, I could be well
If happy England's royal king be free. [me?
Mar. Why, what concerns his freedom unto To be mine own attorney in this case.-
Suf. I'll undertake to make thee Henry's [To Reig.] I'll over, then, to England with
To put a golden sceptre in thy hand, [queen;
And set a precious crown upon thy head,
If thou wilt condescend to be my-
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 Troops come forward. And, madam, at your father's castle walls We'll crave a parley, to confer with him. A parley sounded. Enter Reignier, on the walls.
Suf. See, Reignier, see thy daughter priReig. To whom? [soner
To me. Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep, Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.
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 thereAnd this her easy-held imprisonment [to, Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty. Reig. Speaks Suffolk as he thinks? Suf Fair Margaret knows 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 :
Command in Anjou what your honour pleases. Suf. Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,
And make this marriage to be solemnizd.
So, farewell, Reignier: set this diamond safe,
In golden palaces, as it becomes.
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,
Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [Going. Suf. Farewell, sweet madam : but hark you, Margaret,
No princely commendations to my king?
Mar. Such commendations as become a A virgin, and his servant, say to him. [maid, Suf. Words sweetly plac'd, and modestly directed.
But, madam, I must trouble you again,--
No loving token to his majesty? [heart,
Mar. Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted
Never yet taint with love, I send the king.
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. Suf. O, wert thou for myself!--But, Suffolk, stay;
Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth ; There Minotaurs, and deadly treasons, lurk. Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise : Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount 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 mayst bereave him of his wits with [Exit.
SCENE IV.-Camp of the Duke of York, in Anjou. Enter York, Warwick, and others.
York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemn'd to burn.
Enter La Pucelle, guarded; and a Shepherd. Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,
Shep. Ah, Joan, this kills thy father's heart
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? [thee!
Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with
Puc. 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;
I did beget her, all the parish knows ;
Her mother liveth yet, can testify
She was the first-fruit of my bachelorship.
War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy
parentage?
[been,
York. This argues what her kind of life hath
Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
Shep. Fie, Joan, that thou wilt be so ob-
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.
Puc. 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.
Kneel down and take my blessing, good my
girl.
[time]
Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the
Of thy nativity! I would the milk [breast,
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 rav'nous 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,
Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have
condemn'd:
Not me begotten of a shepherd swain,
But issu'd 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
Spare for no fagots, let there be enow: [maid,
That so her torture may be shortened.
Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting
Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity, [hearts!
That warranteth by law to be thy privilege.
I am with child, ye bloody homicides,
Muider not, then, the fruit within my womb,
Although ye hale me to a violent death.
York. Now, heaven forefend ! the holy maid
with child!
[wrought:
War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye
Is all your strict preciseness come to this?
York. She and the dauphin have been
juggling :
I did imagine what would be her refuge.
War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards
Especially since Charles must father it. [live;
Puc. You are deceiv'd; my child is none of
It was Alençon that enjoy'd my love.
York. Alençon ! that notorious Machiavel!
It dies, an if it had a thousand lives.
Puc. 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 intoler-
York. Why, here's a girl! I think she knows 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 Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. [thee:
Puc. Then lead me hence ;-with whom I
leave my curse,
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 you to break your necks, or hang your-
selves!
Exit, guarded.
York. Break thou in pieces, and consume to
Thou foul accursed minister of hell! [ashes,
Enter Cardinal Beaufort, attended.
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 of these outrageous broils,
Have earnestly implor'd a general peace
Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French;
And here at hand the Dauphin, and his train,
Approacheth to confer about some matter.
York. Is all our travail turn'd to this effect?
After the slaughter of so many peers,
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,
By treason, falsehood, and by treachery,
Our great progenitors had conquered ?—
O, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France.
War. Be patient, York: if we conclude a peace, [nants, It shall be with such strict and severe coveAs little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby. Enter Charles, attended; Alençon, the Bastard of Orleans, Reignier, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, [France, That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler
The hollow passage of my prison'd voice,
By sight of these our baleful enemies.
[thus:
Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted
That, in regard king Henry gives consent,
Of mere 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,
And still enjoy thy regal dignity.
As thou art knight, never to disobey Nor be rebellious to the crown of England,Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England. [Charles, &c., 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.
SCENE V.-London. A Room in the Palace. Enter King Henry, in conference with Suffolk; Gloster and Exeter following.
K. Hen. Your wondrous 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 Is but a preface of her worthy praise; him-The chief perfections of that lovely dame [self? (Had I sufficient skill to utter them)
Alen. Must he be, then, as shadow of 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 With 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 ambassador; I'll rather keep That which I have, than, coveting for more, Be cast from possibility of all.
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. [Aside to Charles.] 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
War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand? [interest Char. It shall; only reserv'd, you claim no In any of our towns of garrison.
York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty;
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,
To love and honour Henry as her lord.
K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume.
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 :1
How shall we, then, dispense with that contract, And not deface your honour with reproach?
Suf. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths: Or one that, at a triumph having vow'd To try his strength, forsaketh yet the lists By reason of his adversary's odds:
poor earl's daughter is unequal odds, And therefore may be broke without offence. Glo. Why, what, I pray, is Margaret more than that?
Her father is no better than an earl,
Although in glorious titles he excel.
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, Because he is near kinsman unto Charles. Exe. Beside, his wealth doth warrant liberal
Where Reignier sooner will receive, than give.
Suf. A dower, my lords! disgrace not so your king,
That he should be so abject, base, and poor,
To choose for wealth, and not for perfect love.
Henry is able to enrich his queen,
And not to seek a queen to make him rich :
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives,
As market-men for oxen, sheep, or horse.
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,
An age of discord and continual strife?
Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss,
And is a pattern of celestial peace. [king,
Whom should we match with Henry, being a
But Margaret, that is daughter to a king?
Her peerless feature, joinèd with her birth,
Approves her fit for none but for a king:
Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit
(More than in women commonly is seen)
Will answer our hope in issue of a king;
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. [me
Then yield, my lords; and here conclude with
That Margaret shall be queen, and none but
she.
[report,
K. Hen. Whether it be through force of your
My noble lord of Suffolk, or for that
My tender youth was never yet attaint
With any passion of inflaming love,
I cannot tell; but this I am assur'd,
I feel such sharp dissension in my breast,
Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear,
As I am sick with working of my thoughts.
Take, therefore, shipping; post, my lord, to
France;
Agree to any covenants, and procure
That lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come
To cross the seas to England, and be crown'd
King Henry's faithful and anointed queen :
For your expenses and sufficient charge,
Among the people gather up a tenth.
Be gone,
say; for, till you do return,
I rest perplexed with a thousand cares.—
And you, good uncle, banish all offence;
If you do censure me by what you were,
Not what you are, I know it will excuse
This sudden execution of my will.
And so, conduct me where, from company,
I may revolve and ruminate my grief.
Glo. Ay, grief, I fear me, both at first and last. [Exeunt Gloster and Exeter. Suf. Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd; and thus he goes,
As did the youthful Paris once to Greece,
With hope to find the like event in love,
But prosper better than the Trojan did.
Margaret shall now be queen, and rule the king;
But I will rule both her, the king, and realm.
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