Enter a Messenger Messenger All hail, my lords! which of this princely train Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts So much applauded through the realm of France? TALBOT Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him? Messenger The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown, By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe To visit her poor castle where she lies, That she may boast she hath beheld the man Whose glory fills the world with loud report. BURGUNDY Is it even so? Nay, then, I see our wars Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport, When ladies crave to be encounter'd with.
You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit. TALBOT Ne'er trust me then; for when a world of men Could not prevail with all their oratory, Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled:
And therefore tell her I return great thanks, And in submission will attend on her.
Will not your honours bear me company? BEDFORD No, truly; it is more than manners will:
And I have heard it said, unbidden guests Are often welcomest when they are gone. TALBOT Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, I mean to prove this lady's courtesy.
Come hither, captain.
Whispers You perceive my mind? Captain I do, my lord, and mean accordingly.
Exeunt SCENE III. Auvergne. The COUNTESS's castle. Enter the COUNTESS and her Porter COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE Porter, remember what I gave in charge;And when you have done so, bring the keys to me. Porter Madam, I will.
Exit COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE The plot is laid: if all things fall out right, I shall as famous be by this exploit As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death.
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight, And his achievements of no less account:
Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears, To give their censure of these rare reports.
Enter Messenger and TALBOT Messenger Madam, According as your ladyship desired, By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE And he is welcome. What! is this the man? Messenger Madam, it is.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE Is this the scourge of France?
Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad That with his name the mothers still their babes?
I see report is fabulous and false:
I thought I should have seen some Hercules, A second Hector, for his grim aspect, And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp Should strike such terror to his enemies. TALBOT Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;But since your ladyship is not at leisure, I'll sort some other time to visit you.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes. Messenger Stay, my Lord Talbot; for my lady craves To know the cause of your abrupt departure. TALBOT Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief, I go to certify her Talbot's here.
Re-enter Porter with keys COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. TALBOT Prisoner! to whom?
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE To me, blood-thirsty lord;And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me, For in my gallery thy picture hangs:
But now the substance shall endure the like, And I will chain these legs and arms of thine, That hast by tyranny these many years Wasted our country, slain our citizens And sent our sons and husbands captivate. TALBOT Ha, ha, ha!
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. TALBOT I laugh to see your ladyship so fond To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow Whereon to practise your severity.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE Why, art not thou the man? TALBOT I am indeed.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE Then have I substance too. TALBOT No, no, I am but shadow of myself:
You are deceived, my substance is not here;For what you see is but the smallest part And least proportion of humanity:
I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here, It is of such a spacious lofty pitch, Your roof were not sufficient to contain't.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE This is a riddling merchant for the nonce;He will be here, and yet he is not here:
How can these contrarieties agree? TALBOT That will I show you presently.
Winds his horn. Drums strike up: a peal of ordnance. Enter soldiers How say you, madam? are you now persuaded That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
These are his substance, sinews, arms and strength, With which he yoketh your rebellious necks, Razeth your cities and subverts your towns And in a moment makes them desolate.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse:
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited And more than may be gather'd by thy shape.
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath;For I am sorry that with reverence I did not entertain thee as thou art. TALBOT Be not dismay'd, fair lady; nor misconstrue The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake The outward composition of his body.
What you have done hath not offended me;
Nor other satisfaction do I crave, But only, with your patience, that we may Taste of your wine and see what cates you have;For soldiers' stomachs always serve them well.
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE With all my heart, and think me honoured To feast so great a warrior in my house.
Exeunt SCENE IV. London. The Temple-garden. Enter the Earls of SOMERSET, SUFFOLK, and WARWICK; RICHARDPLANTAGENET, VERNON, and another Lawyer RICHARD PLANTAGENET Great lords and gentlemen, what means this silence?
Dare no man answer in a case of truth? SUFFOLK Within the Temple-hall we were too loud;The garden here is more convenient.
RICHARD PLANTAGENET Then say at once if I maintain'd the truth;Or else was wrangling Somerset in the error? SUFFOLK Faith, I have been a truant in the law, And never yet could frame my will to it;And therefore frame the law unto my will. SOMERSET Judge you, my Lord of Warwick, then, between us. WARWICK Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch;Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth;Between two blades, which bears the better temper:
