Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor:
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry VI, Part 1 (Modern)

Enter a Messenger that meets [Richard Plantagenet now Duke of] York.
Enter [Richard Plantagenet now Duke of] York with [a] Trumpet[er], and many Soldiers.
2010Plantagenet
Are not the speedy scouts returned again
That dogged the mighty army of the Dauphin?
Messenger
They are returned, my lord, and give it out
That he is marched to Bordeaux with his power
To fight with Talbot as he marched along.
2015By your espials were discoverèd
Two mightier troops than that the Dauphin led,
Which joined with him and made their march for Bordeaux.
Plantagenet
A plague upon that villain Somerset
That thus delays my promisèd supply
2020Of horsemen that were levied for this siege.
Renownèd Talbot doth expect my aid,
And I am louted by a traitor villain
And cannot help the noble chevalier.
God comfort him in this necessity;
2025If he miscarry, farewell wars in France.
Enter another Messenger [Sir William Lucy].
Thou princely leader of our English strength,
Never so needful on the earth of France,
Spur to the rescue of the noble Talbot,
2030Who now is girdled with a waist of iron
And hemmed about with grim destruction.
To Bordeaux, warlike Duke; to Bordeaux, York,
Else farewell Talbot, France, and England's honor.
Plantagenet
O God, that Somerset, who in proud heart
2035Doth stop my cornets, were in Talbot's place.
So should we save a valiant gentleman
By forfeiting a traitor and a coward.
Mad ire and wrathful fury makes me weep,
That thus we die while remiss traitors sleep.
O send some succor to the distressed lord.
Plantagenet
He dies, we lose; I break my warlike word;
We mourn, France smiles; we lose, they daily get,
All 'long of this vile traitor Somerset.
Then God take mercy on brave Talbot's soul,
2045And on his son young John, who two hours since
I met in travail toward his warlike father.
This seven years did not Talbot see his son,
And now they meet where both their lives are done.
Plantagenet
Alas, what joy shall noble Talbot have,
2050To bid his young son welcome to his grave?
Away! Vexation almost stops my breath
That sundered friends greet in the hour of death.
Lucy, farewell. No more my fortune can
But curse the cause I cannot aid the man.
2055Maine, Blois, Poitiers, and Tours are won away,
'Long all of Somerset and his delay.
[Exeunt all but Lucy.]
Thus while the vulture of sedition
Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders,
Sleeping neglection doth betray to loss
2060The conquest of our scarce-cold conqueror,
That ever-living man of memory
Henry the Fifth. Whiles they each other cross,
Lives, honors, lands, and all hurry to loss.
[Exit.]