Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies Published according to the true originall copies.

Scoena Tertia.

Enter Charles, Burgundy, Alanson, Bastard, Reignier, and Ione.

Char.

These newes (my Lords) may cheere our droo∣ping spirits: 'Tis said, the stout Parisians do reuolt, And turne againe vnto the warlike French.

Alan.

Then march to Paris Royall Charles of France, And keepe not backe your powers in dalliance.

Pucel.

Peace be amongst them if they turne to vs, Else ruine combate with their Pallaces.

Enter Scout.

Scout.

Successe vnto our valiant Generall, And happinesse to his accomplices.

Char.

What tidings send our Scouts? I prethee speak.

Scout.

The English Army that diuided was Into two parties, is now conioyn'd in one, And meanes to giue you battell presently.

Char.

Somewhat too sodaine Sirs, the warning is, But we will presently prouide for them.

Bur.

I trust the Ghost of Talbot is not there: Now he is gone my Lord, you neede not feare.

Pucel.

Of all base passions, Feare is most accurst. Command the Conquest Charles, it shall be thine: Let Henry fret, and all the world repine.

Char.

Then on my Lords, and France be fortunate.

Exeunt.

Alarum.

Excursions.

Enter Ione de Pucell.

Puc.

The Regent conquers, and the Frenchmen flye. Now helpe ye charming Spelles and Periapts, And ye choise spirits that admonish me, And giue me signes of future accidents.

Thunder.

You speedy helpers, that are substitutes Vnder the Lordly Monarch of the North, Appeare, and ayde me in this enterprize.

Enter Fiends.

This speedy and quicke appearance argues proofe Of your accustom'd diligence to me. Now ye Familiar Spirits, that are cull'd Out of the powerfull Regions vnder earth, Helpe me this once, that France may get the field.

They walke, and speake not.

Oh hold me not with silenee ouer-long: Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, Ile lop•• member off, and giue it you, In earnest of a further benefit: So you do condiscend to helpe me now.

They hang their heads.

No hope to haue redresse? My body shall Pay recompence, if you will graunt my suite.

They shake their heads.

Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, Intreate you to your wonted furtherance? Then take my soule; my body, soule, and all, Before that England giue the French the foyle.

They depart.

See, they forsake me. Now the time is come, That France must vale her lofty plumed Crest, And let her head fall into Englands lappe. My ancient Incantations are too weake, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: Now France, thy glory droopcth to the dust.

Exit.

Excursions.

Burgundie and Yorke fight hand to hand. French flye.

Yorke.

Damsell of France, I thinke I haue you fast, Vnchaine your spirits now with spelling Charmes, And try if they can gaine your liberty. A goodly prize, fit for the diuels grace. See how the vgly Witch doth bend her browes, As if with Circe, she would change my shape.

Puc.

Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be:

Yor.

Oh, Charles the Dolphin is a proper man, No shape but his can please your dainty eye.

Puc.

A plaguing mischeefe light on Charles, and thee, And may ye both be sodainly surpriz'd By bloudy hands, in sleeping on your beds.

Yorke.

Fell banning Hagge, Inchantresse hold thy tongue.

Puc.

I prethee giue me leaue to curse awhile.

Yorke.

Curse Miscreant, when thou comst to the stake

Exeunt.

Alarum.

Enter Suffolke with Margaret in his hand.

Suff.

Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.

Gazes on her.

Oh Fairest Beautie, do not feare, nor flye: For I will touch thee but with reuerend hands, I kisse these fingers for eternall peace, And lay them gently on thy tender side. Who art thou, say? that I may honor thee.

Mar.

Margaret my name, and daughter to a King, The King of Naples, who so ere thou art.

Suff.

An Earle I am, and Suffolke am I call'd. Be not offended Natures myracle, Thou art alotted to be tane by me: So doth the Swan her downie Signets saue,

Keeping them prisoner vnderneath his wings: Yet if this seruile vsage once offend, Go, and be free againe, as Suffolkes friend.

She is going

Oh slay: I haue no power to let her passe, My hand would free her, but my heart sayes no. As playes the Sunne vpon the glassie streames, Twinkling another counterfetted beame, So seemes this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Faine would I woe her, yet I dare not speake: Ile call for Pen and Inke, and write my minde: Fye De la Pole, disable not thy selfe: Hast not a Tongue? Is she not heere? Wilt thou be daunted at a Womans sight? I: Beauties Princely Maiesty is such, 'Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough.

Mar.

Say Earle of Suffolke, if thy name be so, What ransome must I pay before I passe? For I perceiue I am thy prisoner.

Suf.

How canst thou tell she will deny thy suite, Before thou make a triall of her loue?

M.

Why speak'st thou not? What ransom must I pay?

Suf.

She's beautifull; and therefore to be Wooed: She is a Woman; therefore to be Wonne.

Mar.

Wilt thou accept of ransome, yea or no?

Suf.

Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife, Then how can Margaret be thy Paramour?

Mar.

I were best to leaue him, for he will not heare.

Suf.

There all is marr'd: there lies a cooling card.

Mar.

He talkes at randon: sure the man is mad.

Suf.

And yet a dispensation may bee had.

Mar.

And yet I would that you would answer me:

Suf.

Ile win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Why for my King: Tush, that's a woodden thing.

Mar.

He talkes of wood: It is some Carpenter.

Suf.

Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established betweene these Realmes. But there remaines a scruple in that too: For though her Father be the King of Naples, Duke of Aniou and Mayne, yet is he poore, And our Nobility will scorne the match.

Mar.

Heare ye Captaine? Are you not at leysure?

Suf.

It shall be so, disdaine they ne're so much: Henry is youthfull, and will quickly yeeld. Madam, I haue a secret to reueale.

Mar.

What though I be inthral'd, he seems a knight And will not any way dishonor me.

Suf.

Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.

Mar.

Perhaps I shall be rescu'd by the French, And then I need not craue his curtesie.

Suf.

Sweet Madam, giue me hearing in a cause.

Mar.

Tush, women haue bene captiuate ere now.

Suf.

Lady, wherefore talke you so?

Mar.

I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo.

Suf.

Say gentle Princesse, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a Queene?

Mar.

To be a Queene in bondage, is more vile, Than is a slaue, in base seruility: For Princes should be free.

Suf.

And so shall you. If happy England•• Royall King be free.

Mar.

Why what concernes his freedome vnto mee?

Suf.

Ile vndertake to make thee Henries Queene, To put a Golden Scepter in thy hand, And set a precious Crowne vpon thy head, If thou wilt condiscend to be my—

Mar.

What?

Suf.

His loue.

Mar.

I am vnworthy to be Henries wife.

Suf.

No gentle Madam, I vnworthy am To woe so faire a Dame to be his wife, And haue no portion in the choice my selfe. How say you Madam, are ye so content?

Mar.

And if my Father please, I am content.

Suf.

Then call our Captaines and our Colours forth, And Madam, at your Fathers Castle walles, Wee'l craue a parley, to conferre with him.

Sound.

Enter Reignier on the Walles.

See Reignier see, thy daughter prisoner.

Reig.

To whom?

Suf.

To me.

Reig.

Suffolke, what remedy? I am a Souldier, and vnapt to weepe, Or to exclaime on Fortunes ficklenesse.

Suf.

Yes, there is remedy enough my Lord, Consent, and for thy Honor giue consent, Thy daughter shall be wedded to my King, Whom I with paine haue wooed and wonne thereto: And this her easie held imprisonment, Hath gain'd thy daughter Princely libertie.

Reig.

Speakes Suffolke as he thinkes?

Suf.

Faire Margaret knowes, That Suffolke doth not flatter, face, or faine.

Reig.

Vpon thy Princely warrant, I descend, To giue thee answer of thy iust demand.

Suf.

And heere I will expect thy comming.

Trumpets sound.

Enter Reignier.

Reig.

Welcome braue Earle into our Territories, Command in Aniou what your Honor pleases.

Suf.

Thankes Reignier, happy for so sweet a Childe, Fit to be made companion with a King: What answer makes your Grace vnto my suite?

Reig.

Since thou dost daigne to woe her little worth, To be the Princely Bride of such a Lord: Vpon condition I may quietly Enioy mine owne, the Country Maine and Aniou, Free from oppression, or the stroke of Warre, My daughter shall be Henries, if he please.

Suf.

That is her ransome, I deliuer her, And those two Counties I will vndertake Your Grace shall well and quietly enioy.

Reig.

And I againe in Henries Royall name, As Deputy vnto that gracious King, Giue thee her hand for signe of plighted faith.

Suf.

Reignier of France, I giue thee Kingly thankes, Because this is in Trafficke of a King. And yet me thinkes I could be well content To be mine owne Atturney in this case. Ile ouer then to England with this newes. And make this marriage to be solemniz'd: So farewell Reignier, set this Diamond safe In Golden Pallaces as it becomes.

Reig.

I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian Prince King Henrie were he heere.

Mar.

Farewell my Lord, good wishes, praise, & praiers, Shall Suffolke euer haue of Margaret.

Shee is going.

Suf.

Farwell sweet Madam: but hearke you Margaret, No Princely commendations to my King?

Mar.

Such commendations as becomes a Maide, A Virgin, and his Seruant, say to him.

Suf.

Words sweetly plac'd, and modestie directed,

But Madame, I must trouble you againe, No louing Token to his Maiestie?

Mar.

Yes, my good Lord, a pure vnspotted heart, Neuer yet taint with loue, I send the King.

Suf.

And this withall.

Kisse her.

Mar.

That for thy selfe, I will not so presume, To send such peeuish tokens to a King.

Suf.

Oh wert thou for my selfe: but Suffolke stay, Thou mayest not wander in that Labyrinth, There Minotaurs and vgly Treasons lurke, Solicite Henry with her wonderous praise. Bethinke thee on her Vertues that surmount, Mad naturall Graces that extinguish Art, Repeate their semblance often on the Seas, That when thou com'st to kneele at Henries feete, Thou mayest bereaue him of his wits with wonder.

Exit

Enter Yorke, Warwicke, Shepheard, Pucell.

Yor.

Bring forth that Sorceresse condemn'd to burne.

Shep.

Ah Ione, this kils thy Fathers heart out-right, Haue I sought euery Country farre and neere, And now it is my chance to finde thee out, Must I behold thy timelesse cruell death: Ah Ione, sweet daughter Ione, Ile die with thee.

Pucel.

Decrepit Miser, base ignoble Wretch, I am descended of a gentler blood. Thou art no Father, nor no Friend of mine.

Shep.

Out, out: My Lords, and please you, 'tis not so I did beget her, all the Parish knowes: Her Mother liueth yet, can testifie She was the first fruite of my Bach'ler-ship.

War.

Gracelesse, wilt thou deny thy Parentage?

Yorke.

This argues what her kinde of life hath beene, Wicked and vile, and so her death concludes.

Shep.

Fye Ione, that thou wilt be so obstacle: God knowes, thou art a collop of my flesh, And for thy sake haue I shed many a teare: Deny me not, I prythee, gentle Ione.

Pucell.

Pezant auant. You haue suborn'd this man Of purpose, to obscure my Noble birth.

Shep.

'Tis true, I gaue a Noble to the Priest, The morne that I was wedded to her mother. Kneele downe and take my blessing, good my Gyrle. Wilt thou not stoope? Now cursed be the time Of thy natiuitie: I would the Milke Thy mother gaue thee when thou suck'st her brest, Had bin a little Rats-bane for thy sake. Or else, when thou didst keepe my Lambes a-field, I wish some rauenous Wolfe had eaten thee. Doest thou deny thy Father, cursed Drab? O burne her, burne her, hanging is too good.

Exit.

Yorke.

Take her away, for she hath liu'd too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities.

Puc.

First let me tell you whom you haue condemn'd; Not me, begotten of a Shepheard Swaine, But issued from the Progeny of Kings. Vertuous and Holy, chosen from aboue, By inspiration of Celestiall Grace, To worke exceeding myracles on earth. I neuer had to do with wicked Spirits. But you that are polluted with your lustes, Stain'd with the guiltlesse blood of Innocents, Corrupt and tainted with a thousand Vices: Because you want the grace that others haue, You iudge it straight a thing impossible To compasse Wonders, but by helpe of diuels. No misconceyued, Ione of Aire hath beene A Virgin from her tender infancie, Chaste, and immaculate in very thought, Whose Maiden-blood thus rigorously effus'd, Will cry for Vengeance, at the Gates of Heauen.

Yorke.

I, I: away with her to execution.

War.

And hearke ye sirs: because she is a Maide, Spare for no Faggots, let there be enow: Place barrelles of pitch vpon the fatall stake, That so her torture may be shortned.

Puc.

Will nothing turne your vnrelenting hearts? Then Ione discouet thine infirmity, That wartanteth by Law, to be thy priuiledge. I am with childe ye bloody Homicides: Murther not then the Fruite within my Wombe, Although ye hale me to a violent death.

Yor.

Now heauen forfend, the holy Maid with child?

War.

The greatest miracle that ere ye wrought Is all your strict precisenesse come to this?

Yorke.

She and the Dolphin haue bin iugling, I did imagine what would be her refuge.

War.

Well go too, we'll haue no Bastards liue, Especially since Charles must Father it.

Puc.

You are deceyu'd, my childe is none of his, It was Alanson that inioy'd my loue.

Yorke.

Alanson that notorious Macheuile? It dyes, and if it had a thousand liues.

Puc.

Oh giue me leaue, I haue deluded you, 'Twas neyther Charles, nor yet the Duke I nam'd, But Reignier King of Naples that preuayl'd.

War.

A married man, that's most intollerable.

Yor.

Why here's a Gyrle: I think she knowes not wel (There were so many) whom she may accuse.

War.

It's signe she hath beene liberall and free.

Yor.

And yet forsooth she is a Virgin pure, Strumpet, thy words condemne thy Bra••, and thee. Vse no intreaty, for it is in vaine.

Pu.

Then lead me hence: with whom I leaue my curse▪ May neuer glorious Sunne reflex his beames Vpon the Countrey where you make abode: But darknesse, and the gloomy shade of death Inuiron you, till Mischeefe and Dispaire, Driue you to break your necks, or hang your selues.

Exit

Enter Cardinall.

Yorke.

Breake thou in peeces, and consume to ashes, Thou fowle accursed minister of Hell.

Car.

Lord Regent, I do greete your Excellence With Letters of Commission from the King. For know my Lords, the States of Christendome, Mou'd with remorse of these out-ragious broyles, Haue earnestly implor'd a generall peace, Betwixt our Nation, and the aspyring French; And heere at hand, the Dolphin and his Traine Approacheth, to conferre about some matter.

Yorke.

Is all our trauell turn'd to this effect, After the slaughter of so many Peeres, So many Captaines, Gentlemen, and Soldiers, That in this quarrell haue beene ouerthrowne, And sold their bodyes for their Countryes benefit, Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? Haue we not lost most part of all the Townes, By Treason, Falshood, and by Treacherie, Our great Progenitors had conquered: Oh Warwicke, Warwicke, I foresee with greefe The vtter losse of all the Realme of France.

War.

Be patient Yorke, if we conclude a Peace

It shall be with such strict and seuere Couenants, As little shall the Frenchmen gaine thereby.

Enter Charles, Alanson, Bastard, Reignier.

Char.

Since Lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peacefull truce shall be proclaim'd in France, We come to be informed by your selues, What the conditions of that league must be.

Yorke.

Speake Winchester, for boyling choller chokes The hollow passage of my poyson'd voyce, By sight of these our balefull enemies.

Win.

Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: That in regard King Henry giues consent, Of meere compassion, and of lenity, To ease your Countrie of distressefull Warre, And suffer you to breath in fruitfull peace, You shall become true Liegemen to his Crowne. And Charles, vpon condition thou wilt sweare To pay him tribute, and submit thy selfe, Thou shalt be plac'd as Viceroy vnder him, And still enioy thy Regall dignity.

Alan.

Must he be then as shadow of himselfe? Adorne his Temples with a Coronet, And yet in substance and authority, Retaine but priuiledge of a priuate man? This proffer is absurd, and reasonlesse.

Char.

'Tis knowne already that I am possest With more then halfe the Gallian Territories, And therein reuerenc'd for their lawfull King. Shall I for lucre of the rest vn-vanquisht, Detract so much from that prerogatiue, As to be call'd but Viceroy of the whole? No Lord Ambassador, Ile rather keepe That which I haue, than coueting for more Be cast from possibility of all.

Yorke.

Insulting Charles, hast thou by secret meanes Vs'd intercession to obtaine a league, And now the matter growes to compremize, Stand'st thou aloofe vpon Comparison. Either accept the Title thou vsurp'st, Of benefit proceeding from our King, And not of any challenge of Desert, Or we will plague thee with incessant Warres.

Reig.

My Lord, you do not well in obstinacy, To cauill in the course of this Contract: If once it be neglected, ten to one We shall not finde like opportunity.

Alan.

To say the truth, it is your policie, To saue your Subiects from such massacre And ruthlesse slaughters as are dayly seene By our proceeding in Hostility, And therefore take this compact of a Truce, Although you breake it, when your pleasure serues.

War.

How sayst thou Charles? Shall our Condition stand?

Char.

It Shall: Onely reseru'd you claime no interest In any of our Townes of Garrison.

Yor.

Then sweare Allegeance to his Maiesty, As thou art Knight, neuer to disobey, Nor be Rebellious to the Crowne of England, Thou nor thy Nobles, to the Crowne of England. So, now dismisse your Army when ye please: Hang vp your Ensignes, let your Drummes be still, For heere we entertaine a solemne peace.

Exeunt.