O'ertake me, if thou canst; I scorn thy strength. [Pucelle enters the town, with Soldiers. Tal. My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am, nor what I do : A witch, by fear, not force, like Hannibal, Drives back our troops, and conquers as she lists: [a short alarum. Hark, countrymen! either renew the fight, As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves. It will not be.-Retire into your trenches: In spite of us, or aught that we could do. O, would I were to die with Salisbury! [alarum. Retreat. Exeunt Talbot and his SCENE VI. The same. Enter, on the walls, PUCelle, charleS, REIGNIER, ALENÇON, and Soldiers. Pu. Advance our waving colors on the walls ; Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word. That one day bloom'd, and fruitful were the next. More blessed hap did ne'er befal our state. Rei. Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town? Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires, Alen. All France will be replete with mirth and joy, When they shall hear how we have play'd the men. Charles. 'Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won; For which, I will divide my crown with her: Then Rhodope's or Memphis' ever was. In memory of her, when she is dead, After this golden day of victory. АС Т I I. [Florish. Exeunt. SCENE 1. The same. Enter to the gates a FRENCH sergeant and two SENTINELS. Ser. Sirs, take your places, and be vigilant : If any noise or soldier you perceive, Near to the walls, by some apparent sign, Let us have knowlege at the court of guard.1 1 Sen. Sergeant, you shall. [Exit Sergeant.] Thus are poor servitors (When others sleep upon their quiet beds) Constrain'd to watch in darkness, rain, and cold. 1 Guard-room. Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, BURGUNDY, and Forces, with scaling ladders; their drums beating a dead march. Tal. Lord regent,—and redoubted Burgundy,--By whose approach, the regions of Artois, Walloon, and Picardy, are friends to us;— This happy night the Frenchmen are secure, Having all day caroused and banqueted. Embrace we then this opportunity; As fitting best to quittance their deceit, Contrived by art and baleful sorcery. Bed. Coward of France!-how much he wrongs his fame, Despairing of his own arm's fortitude, To join with witches, and the help of hell. But what's that Pucelle, whom they term so pure? Bed. A maid, and be so martial? Bur. Pray God, she prove not masculine ere long; If underneath the standard of the French, She carry armour, as she hath begun. Tal. Well, let them practise and converse with spirits: God is our fortress, in whose conquering name, Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks. Bed. Ascend, brave Talbot; we will follow thee. Tal. Not all together: better far, I guess, That we do make our entrance several ways; That, if it chance the one of us do fail, The other yet may rise against their force. Bur. And I to this. Tal. And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave. Now, Salisbury! for thee, and for the right [the English scale the walls, crying 'St. George! a Talbot!' and all enter by the town. Sen. [within.] Arm, arm; the enemy doth make assault ! The French leap over the walls in their shirts. Enter, several ways, BASTARD, ALENÇON, REIGNIER, half ready and half unready. Alen. How now, my lords? what, all unready so? Bas. Unready?ay, and glad we 'scaped so well. Rei. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake, and leave our beds, Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors. Alen. Of all exploits, since first I follow'd arms, Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprise More venturous or desperate than this. Bas. I think, this Talbot be a fiend of hell. Rei. If not of hell, the Heavens, sure, favor him. Alen. Here cometh Charles: I marvel, how he sped. |