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  • Title: Henry VI, Part 1 (Folio 1, 1623)

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
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    Henry VI, Part 1 (Folio 1, 1623)

    Here an Alarum againe, and Talbot pursueth the Dolphin,
    and driueth him: Then enter Ioane de Puzel,
    driuing Englishmen before her.
    590 Then enter Talbot.
    Talb. Where is my strength, my valour, and my force?
    Our English Troupes retyre, I cannot stay them,
    A Woman clad in Armour chaseth them.
    Enter Puzel.
    595Here, here shee comes. Ile haue a bowt with thee:
    Deuill, or Deuils Dam, Ile coniure thee:
    Blood will I draw on thee, thou art a Witch,
    And straightway giue thy Soule to him thou seru'st.
    Puzel. Come, come, 'tis onely I that must disgrace
    600thee. Here they fight.
    Talb. Heauens, can you suffer Hell so to preuayle?
    My brest Ile burst with straining of my courage,
    And from my shoulders crack my Armes asunder,
    But I will chastise this high-minded Strumpet.
    605 They fight againe.
    Puzel. Talbot farwell, thy houre is not yet come,
    I must goe Victuall Orleance forthwith:
    A short Alarum: then enter the Towne
    with Souldiers.
    610O're-take me if thou canst, I scorne thy strength.
    Goe, goe, cheare vp thy hungry-starued men,
    Helpe Salisbury to make his Testament,
    This Day is ours, as many more shall be. Exit.
    Talb. My thoughts are whirled like a Potters Wheele,
    615I know not where I am, nor what I doe:
    A Witch by feare, not force, like Hannibal,
    Driues back our troupes, and conquers as she lists:
    So Bees with smoake, and Doues with noysome stench,
    Are from their Hyues and Houses driuen away.
    620They call'd vs, for our fiercenesse, English Dogges,
    Now like to Whelpes, we crying runne away.
    A short Alarum.
    Hearke Countreymen, eyther renew the fight,
    Or teare the Lyons out of Englands Coat;
    625Renounce your Soyle, giue Sheepe in Lyons stead:
    Sheepe run not halfe so trecherous from the Wolfe,
    Or Horse or Oxen from the Leopard,
    As you flye from your oft-subdued slaues.
    Alarum. Here another Skirmish.
    630It will not be, retyre into your Trenches:
    You all consented vnto Salisburies death,
    For none would strike a stroake in his reuenge.
    Puzel is entred into Orleance,
    In spight of vs, or ought that we could doe.
    635O would I were to dye with Salisbury,
    The shame hereof, will make me hide my head.
    Exit Talbot.
    Alarum, Retreat, Flourish.