Henry VI, Part I, William Shakespeare [classic books to read TXT] 📗

perused the letters from the pope,
The emperor and the Earl of Armagnac? Gloucester

I have, my lord: and their intent is this:
They humbly sue unto your excellence
To have a godly peace concluded of
Between the realms of England and of France.

King How doth your grace affect their motion? Gloucester

Well, my good lord; and as the only means
To stop effusion of our Christian blood
And stablish quietness on every side.

King

Ay, marry, uncle; for I always thought
It was both impious and unnatural
That such immanity and bloody strife
Should reign among professors of one faith.

Gloucester

Beside, my lord, the sooner to effect
And surer bind this knot of amity,
The Earl of Armagnac, near knit to Charles,
A man of great authority in France,
Proffers his only daughter to your grace
In marriage, with a large and sumptuous dowry.

King

Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!
And fitter is my study and my books
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 Winchester in Cardinal’s habit, a Legate and two Ambassadors. Exeter

What! is my Lord of Winchester install’d,
And call’d unto a cardinal’s degree?
Then I perceive that will be verified
Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy,
“If once he come to be a cardinal,
He’ll make his cap co-equal with the crown.”

King

My lords ambassadors, your several suits
Have been consider’d and debated on.
Your purpose is both good and reasonable;
And therefore are we certainly resolved
To draw conditions of a friendly peace;
Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
Shall be transported presently to France.

Gloucester

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.

King

In argument and proof of which contract,
Bear her this jewel, 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 all but Winchester and Legate.

Winchester

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.

Legate I will attend upon your lordship’s leisure. Winchester

Aside. Now Winchester will not submit, I trow,
Or be inferior to the proudest peer.
Humphrey of Gloucester, thou shalt well perceive
That, neither in birth or for authority,
The bishop will be overborne by thee:
I’ll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,
Or sack this country with a mutiny. Exeunt.

Scene II

France. Plains in Anjou.

Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alençon, Bastard, Reignier, La Pucelle, and forces. Charles

These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:
’Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French.

Alençon

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

Pucelle

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

Enter Scout. Scout

Success unto our valiant general,
And happiness to his accomplices!

Charles What tidings send our scouts? I prithee, speak. Scout

The English army, that divided was
Into two parties, is now conjoin’d in one,
And means to give you battle presently.

Charles

Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is;
But we will presently provide for them.

Burgundy

I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there:
Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear.

Pucelle

Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.
Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine,
Let Henry fret and all the world repine.

Charles Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate! Exeunt. Scene III

Before Angiers.

Alarum. Excursions. Enter La Pucelle. Pucelle

The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.
Now help, ye charming spells and periapts;
And ye choice spirits that admonish me
And give me signs of future accidents. Thunder.
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 proof
Of your accustom’d diligence to me.
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, 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 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-plumed 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.

Excursions. Re-enter La Pucelle fighting hand to hand with York: La Pucelle is taken. The 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 wench doth bend her brows,
As if with Circe she would change my shape!

Pucelle Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be. York

O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;
No shape but his can please your dainty eye.

Pucelle

A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!
And may ye both be suddenly surprised
By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!

York Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue! Pucelle I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile. York Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. Exeunt. Alarum. Enter Suffolk, with Margaret in his hand. Suffolk

Be what thou wilt, thou