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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)

    835 Enter [the] Countess [of Auvergne and her Porter].
    Countess
    Porter, remember what I gave in charge,
    And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
    Porter
    Madam, I will.
    Exit.
    Countess
    The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
    840I 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,
    845To give their censure of these rare reports.
    Enter Messenger and [Lord] Talbot.
    Messenger
    Madam, according as your ladyship desired,
    By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
    Countess
    And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
    850Messenger
    Madam, it is.
    Countess
    Is this the scourge of France?
    Is this the Talbot, so much feared abroad
    That with his name the mothers still their babes?
    I see report is fabulous and false.
    855I 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 writhlèd shrimp
    860Should 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.
    [Talbot makes to leave.]
    Countess
    [To Messenger.] What means he now?
    865Go 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.
    870 Enter Porter with keys.
    Countess
    If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
    Talbot
    Prisoner? To whom?
    Countess
    To me, bloodthirsty lord;
    And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
    875Long 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
    880Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
    And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
    Talbot
    Ha, ha, ha!
    Countess
    Laughest, thou wretch?
    Thy mirth shall turn to moan.
    885Talbot
    I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
    To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow
    Whereon to practice your severity.
    Countess
    Why? Art not thou the man?
    Talbot
    I am indeed.
    890Countess
    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.
    895I 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
    This is a riddling merchant for the nonce.
    He will be here, and yet he is not here.
    900How can these contrarieties agree?
    Talbot
    That will I show you presently.
    [Talbot] winds his horn. [Within], drums strike up; a peal of ordnance. Enter [English] Soldiers.
    How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
    905That 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.
    910Countess
    Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
    I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
    And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
    Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
    For I am sorry, that with reverence
    915I did not entertain thee as thou art.
    Talbot
    Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster
    The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake
    The outward composition of his body.
    What you have done hath not offended me;
    920Nor 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
    With all my heart; and think me honorèd
    925To feast so great a warrior in my house.
    Exeunt.