O young John Talbot, I did send for thee

4.5.22115To tutor thee in stratagems of war,

4.5.32116That Talbot's name might be in thee revived

4.5.42117When sapless age and weak unable limbs

4.5.52118Should bring thy father to his drooping chair.

4.5.62119But O, malignant and ill-boding stars,

4.5.72120Now thou art come unto a feast of death,

4.5.82121A terrible and unavoided danger.

4.5.92122Therefore, dear boy, mount on my swiftest horse,

4.5.102123And I'll direct thee how thou shalt escape

4.5.112124By sudden flight. Come, dally not, be gone.

Is my name Talbot, and am I your son?

4.5.132126And shall I fly? O, if you love my mother,

4.5.142127Dishonor not her honorable name

4.5.152128To make a bastard and a slave of me.

4.5.162129The world will say he is not Talbot's blood

4.5.172130That basely fled when noble Talbot stood.

Fly to revenge my death if I be slain.

He that flies so will ne'er return again.

If we both stay, we both are sure to die.

Then let me stay and, father, do you fly.

4.5.222135Your loss is great; so your regard should be;

4.5.232136My worth unknown, no loss is known in me.

4.5.242137Upon my death the French can little boast;

4.5.252138In yours they will: in you all hopes are lost.

4.5.262139Flight cannot stain the honor you have won,

4.5.272140But mine it will, that no exploit have done.

4.5.282141You fled for vantage, every one will swear,

4.5.292142But if I bow, they'll say it was for fear.

4.5.302143There is no hope that ever I will stay

4.5.312144If the first hour I shrink and run away.

4.5.322145Here on my knee I beg mortality

4.5.332146Rather than life preserved with infamy.

Shall all thy mother's hopes lie in one tomb?

Aye, rather then I'll shame my mother's womb.

Upon my blessing I command thee go.

To fight I will, but not to fly the foe.

Part of thy father may be saved in thee.

No part of him but will be shame in me.

Thou never hadst renown, nor canst not lose it.

Yes, your renownèd name; shall flight abuse it?

Thy father's charge shall clear thee from that stain.

You cannot witness for me, being slain.

4.5.442157If death be so apparent, then both fly.

And leave my followers here to fight and die?

4.5.462159My age was never tainted with such shame.

And shall my youth be guilty of such blame?

4.5.482161No more can I be severed from your side

4.5.492162Than can yourself your self in twain divide.

4.5.502163Stay, go, do what you will: the like do I,

4.5.512164For live I will not if my father die.

Then here I take my leave of thee, fair son,

4.5.532166Born to eclipse thy life this afternoon.

4.5.542167Come, side by side together live and die,

4.5.552168And soul with soul from France to heaven fly.