The First Part of Henry the Sixth - Уильям Шекспир

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bring him in obedience to your yoke.

        BEDFORD. I do remember it, and here take my leave

          To go about my preparation. Exit

        GLOUCESTER. I'll to the Tower with all the haste I can

          To view th' artillery and munition;

          And then I will proclaim young Henry king. Exit

        EXETER. To Eltham will I, where the young King is,

          Being ordain'd his special governor;

          And for his safety there I'll best devise. Exit

        WINCHESTER. [Aside] 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 steal,

          And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. Exeunt

      SCENE 2

      France. Before Orleans

      Sound a flourish. Enter CHARLES THE DAUPHIN, ALENCON, and REIGNIER, marching with drum and soldiers

        CHARLES. Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens

          So in the earth, to this day is not known.

          Late did he shine upon the English side;

          Now we are victors, upon us he smiles.

          What towns of any moment but we have?

          At pleasure here we lie near Orleans;

          Otherwhiles the famish'd English, like pale ghosts,

          Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.

        ALENCON. They want their porridge and their fat bull

          beeves.

          Either they must be dieted like mules

          And have their provender tied to their mouths,

          Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.

        REIGNIER. Let's raise the siege. Why live we idly here?

          Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear;

          Remaineth none but mad-brain'd Salisbury,

          And he may well in fretting spend his gall

          Nor men nor money hath he to make war.

        CHARLES. Sound, sound alarum; we will rush on them.

          Now for the honour of the forlorn French!

          Him I forgive my death that killeth me,

          When he sees me go back one foot or flee. Exeunt

      Here alarum. They are beaten hack by the English, with great loss. Re-enter CHARLES, ALENCON, and REIGNIER

        CHARLES. 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.

        REIGNIER. 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.

        ALENCON. Froissart, 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?

        CHARLES. Let's leave this town; for they are hare-brain'd

          slaves,

          And hunger will enforce them to be more eager.

          Of old I know them; rather with their teeth

          The walls they'll tear down than forsake the siege.

        REIGNIER. I think by some odd gimmers or device

          Their arms are set, like clocks, still to strike on;

          Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do.

          By my consent, we'll even let them alone.

        ALENCON. Be it so.

      Enter the BASTARD OF ORLEANS

        BASTARD. Where's the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.

        CHARLES. Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us.

        BASTARD. Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appall'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.

          The spirit of deep prophecy she hath,

          Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome:

          What's past and what's to come she can descry.

          Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words,

          For they are certain and unfallible.

        CHARLES. Go, call her in. [Exit 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.

      Re-enter the BASTARD OF ORLEANS with JOAN LA PUCELLE

        REIGNIER. Fair maid, is 't thou wilt do these wondrous feats?

        PUCELLE. Reignier, is 't thou that thinkest to beguile me?

          Where is the Dauphin? Come, come from behind;

          I know thee well, though never seen before.

          Be not amaz'd, there's nothing hid from me.

          In private will I talk with thee apart.

          Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile.

        REIGNIER. She takes upon her bravely at first dash.

        PUCELLE. 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

          To shine on my contemptible estate.

          Lo,

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