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  • William Shakespeare: Henry VI (Pt 1), Act V, Scene III

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Scene IIIBefore AngiersAlarum. Excursions. Enter Joan LA PucelleJoan La PucelleThe regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. Now help, ye charming spells and periapts; And ye choice spirits that admonish me And give me signs of future accidents.ThunderYou speedy helpers, that are substitutes Under the lordly monarch of the north, Appear and aid me in this enterprise.Enter FiendsThis speedy and quick appearance argues proof Of your accustom’d diligence to me. Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull’d Out of the powerful regions under earth, Help me this once, that France may get the field.They walk, and speak notO, hold me not with silence over-long! Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, I’ll lop a member off and give it you In earnest of further benefit, So you do condescend to help me now.They hang their headsNo hope to have redress? My body shall Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit.They shake their headsCannot my body nor blood-sacrifice Entreat you to your wonted furtherance? Then take my soul, my body, soul and all, Before that England give the French the foil.They departSee, they forsake me! Now the time is come That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest And let her head fall into England’s lap. My ancient incantations are too weak, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust. [Exit]Excursions. Re-enter Joan La Pucelle fighting hand to hand with York Joan LA Pucelle is taken. The French flyYorkDamsel of France, I think I have you fast: Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms And try if they can gain your liberty. A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace! See, how the ugly wench doth bend her brows, As if with Circe she would change my shape!Joan La PucelleChanged to a worser shape thou canst not be.YorkO, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; No shape but his can please your dainty eye.Joan La PucelleA plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee! And may ye both be suddenly surprised By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!YorkFell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue!Joan La PucelleI prithee, give me leave to curse awhile.YorkCurse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake.ExeuntAlarum. Enter Suffolk with Margaret in his handSuffolkBe what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.Gazes on herO fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly! For I will touch thee but with reverent hands; I kiss these fingers for eternal peace, And lay them gently on thy tender side. Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee.MargaretMargaret my name, and daughter to a king, The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.SuffolkAn earl I am, and Suffolk am I call’d. Be not offended, nature’s miracle, Thou art allotted to be ta’en by me: So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. Yet, if this servile usage once offend. Go, and be free again, as Suffolk’s friend.She is goingO, stay! I have no power to let her pass; My hand would free her, but my heart says no As plays the sun upon the glassy streams, Twinkling another counterfeited beam, So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak: I’ll call for pen and ink, and write my mind. Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself; Hast not a tongue? is she not here? Wilt thou be daunted at a woman’s sight? Ay, beauty’s princely majesty is such, Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.MargaretSay, Earl of Suffolk—if thy name be so— What ransom must I pay before I pass? For I perceive I am thy prisoner.SuffolkHow canst thou tell she will deny thy suit, Before thou make a trial of her love?MargaretWhy speak’st thou not? what ransom must I pay?SuffolkShe’s beautiful, and therefore to be woo’d; She is a woman, therefore to be won.MargaretWilt thou accept of ransom? yea, or no.SuffolkFond man, remember that thou hast a wife; Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?MargaretI were best to leave him, for he will not hear.SuffolkThere all is marr’d; there lies a cooling card.MargaretHe talks at random; sure, the man is mad.SuffolkAnd yet a dispensation may be had.MargaretAnd yet I would that you would answer me.SuffolkI’ll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: tush, that’s a wooden thing!MargaretHe talks of wood: it is some carpenter.SuffolkYet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms But there remains a scruple in that too; For though her father be the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match.MargaretHear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?SuffolkIt shall be so, disdain they ne’er so much. Henry is youthful and will quickly yield. Madam, I have a secret to reveal.MargaretWhat though I be enthrall’d? he seems a knight, And will not any way dishonour me.SuffolkLady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.MargaretPerhaps I shall be rescued by the French; And then I need not crave his courtesy.SuffolkSweet madam, give me a hearing in a cause—MargaretTush, women have been captivate ere now.SuffolkLady, wherefore talk you so?MargaretI cry you mercy, ’tis but Quid for Quo.SuffolkSay, gentle princess, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a queen?MargaretTo be a queen in bondage is more vile Than is a slave in base servility; For princes should be free.SuffolkAnd so shall you, If happy England’s royal king be free.MargaretWhy, what concerns his freedom unto me?SuffolkI’ll undertake to make thee Henry’s queen, To put a golden sceptre in thy hand And set a precious crown upon thy head, If thou wilt condescend to be my—MargaretWhat?SuffolkHis love.MargaretI am unworthy to be Henry’s wife.SuffolkNo, gentle madam; I unworthy am To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, And have no portion in the choice myself. How say you, madam, are ye so content?MargaretAn if my father please, I am content.SuffolkThen call our captains and our colours forth. And, madam, at your father’s castle walls We’ll crave a parley, to confer with him.A parley sounded. Enter Reignier on the wallsSee, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner!ReignierTo whom?SuffolkTo me.ReignierSuffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep, Or to exclaim on fortune’s fickleness.SuffolkYes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Consent, and for thy honour give consent, Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Whom I with pain have woo’d and won thereto; And this her easy-held imprisonment Hath gained thy daughter princely liberty.ReignierSpeaks Suffolk as he thinks?SuffolkFair Margaret knows That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.ReignierUpon thy princely warrant, I descend To give thee answer of thy just demand.Exit from the wallsSuffolkAnd here I will expect thy coming.Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, belowReignierWelcome, brave earl, into our territories: Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.SuffolkThanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, Fit to be made companion with a king: What answer makes your grace unto my suit?ReignierSince thou dost deign to woo her little worth To be the princely bride of such a lord; Upon condition I may quietly Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou, Free from oppression or the stroke of war, My daughter shall be Henry’s, if he please.SuffolkThat is her ransom; I deliver her; And those two counties I will undertake Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.ReignierAnd I again, in Henry’s royal name, As deputy unto that gracious king, Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.SuffolkReignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Because this is in traffic of a king.AsideAnd yet, methinks, I could be well content To be mine own attorney in this case. I’ll over then to England with this news, And make this marriage to be solemnized. So farewell, Reignier: set this diamond safe In golden palaces, as it becomes.ReignierI do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.MargaretFarewell, my lord: good wishes, praise and prayers Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret.GoingSuffolkFarewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret; No princely commendations to my king?MargaretSuch commendations as becomes a maid, A virgin and his servant, say to him.SuffolkWords sweetly placed and modestly directed. But madam, I must trouble you again; No loving token to his majesty?MargaretYes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart, Never yet taint with love, I send the king.SuffolkAnd this withal.Kisses herMargaretThat for thyself: I will not so presume To send such peevish tokens to a king.Exeunt Reignier and MargaretSuffolkO, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay; Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth; There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk. Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise: Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount, And natural graces that extinguish art; Repeat their semblance often on the seas, That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry’s feet, Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.Exit

William Shakespeare: Henry VI (Pt 1), Act V

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William Shakespeare: Henry VI (Pt 1), Act V, Scene IV

  • William Shakespeare: Henry VI (Pt 1), Act V, Scene IV

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

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Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
  • The Twelve Dancing Princesses
  • Current Events This Week: January 2023
  • African Americans by the Numbers
  • Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
  • The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales