SCENE I. London. The palace. Sennet. Enter KING HENRY VI, GLOUCESTER, and EXETER KING HENRY VI Have you 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 HENRY VI 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 HENRY VI 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 HENRY VI Marriage, uncle! alas, my years are young!
And fitter is my study and my books Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.
Yet call the ambassador; 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 CARDINAL OF 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 HENRY VI My lords ambassadors, your several suits Have been consider'd and debated on.
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 HENRY VI 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 CARDINAL OF WINCHESTER and Legate CARDINAL OF 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.
CARDINAL OF 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, ALENCON, BASTARD OF ORLEANS, REIGNIER, JOAN LA PUCELLE, and forces CHARLES These news, my lord, may cheer our drooping spirits:
'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt And turn again unto the warlike French. ALENCON Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France, And keep not back your powers in dalliance. JOAN LA 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 conjoined 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. JOAN LA 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 JOAN LA PUCELLE JOAN LA 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 JOAN LA PUCELLE fighting hand to hand with YORK.
JOAN 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! JOAN LA 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. JOAN LA PUCELLE A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!
