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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
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry VI, Part 1 (Folio 1, 1623)

    Enter Talbot, Bedford, Burgundie.
    Bedf. The Day begins to breake, and Night is fled,
    Whose pitchy Mantle ouer-vayl'd the Earth.
    Here sound Retreat, and cease our hot pursuit. Retreat.
    775 Talb. Bring forth the Body of old Salisbury,
    And here aduance it in the Market-Place,
    The middle Centure of this cursed Towne.
    Now haue I pay'd my Vow vnto his Soule:
    For euery drop of blood was drawne from him,
    780There hath at least fiue Frenchmen dyed to night.
    And that hereafter Ages may behold
    What ruine happened in reuenge of him,
    Within their chiefest Temple Ile erect
    A Tombe, wherein his Corps shall be interr'd:
    785Vpon the which, that euery one may reade,
    Shall be engrau'd the sacke of Orleance,
    The trecherous manner of his mournefull death,
    And what a terror he had beene to France.
    But Lords, in all our bloudy Massacre,
    790I muse we met not with the Dolphins Grace,
    His new-come Champion, vertuous Ioane of Acre,
    Nor any of his false Confederates.
    Bedf. 'Tis thought Lord Talbot, when the fight began,
    Rows'd on the sudden from their drowsie Beds,
    795They did amongst the troupes of armed men,
    Leape o're the Walls for refuge in the field.
    Burg. My selfe, as farre as I could well discerne,
    For smoake, and duskie vapours of the night,
    Am sure I scar'd the Dolphin and his Trull,
    800When Arme in Arme they both came swiftly running,
    Like to a payre of louing Turtle-Doues,
    That could not liue asunder day or night.
    After that things are set in order here,
    Wee'le follow them with all the power we haue.
    805 Enter a Messenger.
    Mess. All hayle, my Lords: which of this Princely trayne
    Call ye the Warlike Talbot, for his Acts
    So much applauded through the Realme of France?
    Talb. Here is the Talbot, who would speak with him?
    810 Mess. The vertuous Lady, Countesse of Ouergne,
    With modestie admiring thy Renowne,
    By me entreats (great Lord) thou would'st vouchsafe
    To visit her poore Castle where she lyes,
    That she may boast she hath beheld the man,
    815Whose glory fills the World with lowd report.
    Burg. Is it euen so? Nay, then I see our Warres
    Will turne vnto a peacefull Comick sport,
    When Ladyes craue to be encountred with.
    You may not (my Lord) despise her gentle suit.
    820 Talb. Ne're trust me then: for when a World of men
    Could not preuayle with all their Oratorie,
    Yet hath a Womans kindnesse ouer-rul'd:
    And therefore tell her, I returne great thankes,
    And in submission will attend on her.
    825Will not your Honors beare me company?
    Bedf. No, truly, 'tis more then manners will:
    And I haue heard it sayd, Vnbidden Guests
    Are often welcommest when they are gone.
    Talb. Well then, alone (since there's no remedie)
    830I meane to proue this Ladyes courtesie.
    Come hither Captaine, you perceiue my minde.
    Whispers.
    Capt. I doe my Lord, and meane accordingly.
    Exeunt.
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