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  • Title: Henry VI, Part 1 (Modern)
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    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor:
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    Henry VI, Part 1 (Modern)

    Here an alarum again, and [Lord] Talbot pursueth the Dauphin, and driveth him. Then enter Joan [la] Pucelle, driving Englishmen before her [and exeunt]. 590Then enter [Lord] Talbot.
    Talbot
    Where is my strength, my valor, and my force?
    Our English troops retire; I cannot stay them.
    A woman clad in armor chaseth them.
    Enter [Joan la] Pucelle.
    595Here, here she comes. I'll have a bout with thee.
    Devil, or devil's dam, I'll conjure thee.
    Blood will I draw on thee; thou art a witch,
    And straight'way give thy soul to him thou serv'st.
    Pucelle
    Come, come, 'tis only I that must disgrace 600thee.
    Here they fight.
    Talbot
    Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail?
    My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage
    And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder
    But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet.
    605 They fight again.
    Pucelle
    Talbot, farewell. Thy hour is not yet come.
    I must go victual Orléans forthwith.
    A short alarum, then [the French] enter the town with Soldiers.
    610O'ertake me if thou canst. I scorn thy strength.
    Go, go, cheer up thy hungry-starvèd men.
    Help Salisbury to make his testament.
    This day is ours, as many more shall be.
    Exit [into the town].
    Talbot
    My thoughts are whirlèd like a potter's wheel.
    615I know not where I am nor what I do.
    A witch by fear, not force, like Hannibal
    Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists.
    So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench
    Are from their hives and houses driven away.
    620They called us, for our fierceness, English dogs;
    Now, like to whelps, we crying run away.
    A short alarum. [Enter English Soldiers.]
    Hark countrymen, either renew the fight
    Or tear the lions out of England's coat.
    625Renounce your soil, give sheep in lions' stead:
    Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf,
    Or horse or oxen from the lèopard,
    As you fly from your oft-subduèd slaves.
    Alarum. [Enter English and French Soldiers.] Here another skirmish.
    630It will not be, retire into your trenches.
    You all consented unto Salisbury's death,
    For none would strike a stroke in his revenge.
    Pucelle is entered into Orléans,
    In spite of us, or aught that we could do.
    [Exeunt Soldiers.]
    635O would I were to die with Salisbury.
    The shame hereof will make me hide my head.
    Exit. Alarum. Retreat.