第22章 ACT V(1)

SCENE 1.London.The palace

Sennet.Enter the KING,GLOUCESTER,and EXETER

KING HENRY.Have you perus'd the letters from the Pope,The Emperor,and the Earl of Armagnac?GLOUCESTER.I have,my lord;and their intent is this:They humbly sue unto your Excellence To have a godly peace concluded of Between the realms of England and of France.KING HENRY.How doth your Grace affect their motion?GLOUCESTER.Well,my good lord,and as the only means To stop effusion of our Christian blood And stablish quietness on every side.KING HENRY.Ay,marry,uncle;for I always thought It was both impious and unnatural That such immanity and bloody strife Should reign among professors of one faith.GLOUCESTER.Beside,my lord,the sooner to effect And surer bind this knot of amity,The Earl of Armagnac,near knit to Charles,A man of great authority in France,Proffers his only daughter to your Grace In marriage,with a large and sumptuous dowry.KING HENRY.Marriage,uncle!Alas,my years are young And fitter is my study and my books Than wanton dalliance with a paramour.Yet call th'ambassadors,and,as you please,So let them have their answers every one.I shall be well content with any choice Tends to God's glory and my country's weal.

Enter in Cardinal's habit BEAUFORT,the PAPAL LEGATE,and two AMBASSADORS

EXETER.What!Is my Lord of Winchester install'd And call'd unto a cardinal's degree?Then I perceive that will be verified Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy:'If once he come to be a cardinal,He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown.'KING HENRY.My Lords Ambassadors,your several suits Have been consider'd and debated on.Your purpose is both good and reasonable,And therefore are we certainly resolv'd To draw conditions of a friendly peace,Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean Shall be transported presently to France.GLOUCESTER.And for the proffer of my lord your master,I have inform'd his Highness so at large,As,liking of the lady's virtuous gifts,Her beauty,and the value of her dower,He doth intend she shall be England's Queen.KING HENRY.[To AMBASSADOR]In argument and proof of which contract,Bear her this jewel,pledge of my affection.And so,my Lord Protector,see them guarded And safely brought to Dover;where inshipp'd,Commit them to the fortune of the sea.Exeunt all but WINCHESTER and the LEGATE WINCHESTER.Stay,my Lord Legate;you shall first receive The sum of money which I promised Should be delivered to his Holiness For clothing me in these grave ornaments.LEGATE.I will attend upon your lordship's leisure.WINCHESTER.[Aside]Now Winchester will not submit,I trow,Or be inferior to the proudest peer.Humphrey of Gloucester,thou shalt well perceive That neither in birth or for authority The Bishop will be overborne by thee.I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee,Or sack this country with a mutiny.Exeunt

SCENE 2.France.Plains in Anjou

Enter CHARLES,BURGUNDY,ALENCON,BASTARD,

REIGNIER,LA PUCELLE,and forces

CHARLES.These news,my lords,may cheer our drooping spirits:'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt And turn again unto the warlike French.ALENCON.Then march to Paris,royal Charles of France,And keep not back your powers in dalliance.PUCELLE.Peace be amongst them,if they turn to us;Else ruin combat with their palaces!

Enter a SCOUT

SCOUT.Success unto our valiant general,And happiness to his accomplices!CHARLES.What tidings send our scouts?I prithee speak.SCOUT.The English army,that divided was Into two parties,is now conjoin'd in one,And means to give you battle presently.CHARLES.Somewhat too sudden,sirs,the warning is;But we will presently provide for them.BURGUNDY.I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there.Now he is gone,my lord,you need not fear.PUCELLE.Of all base passions fear is most accurs'd.Command the conquest,Charles,it shall be thine,Let Henry fret and all the world repine.CHARLES.Then on,my lords;and France be fortunate!Exeunt

SCENE 3.Before Angiers

Alarum,excursions.Enter LA PUCELLE

PUCELLE.The 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;[Thunder]You speedy helpers that are substitutes Under the lordly monarch of the north,Appear and aid me in this enterprise!

Enter FIENDS

This 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 not]

O,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 a further benefit,So you do condescend to help me now.[They hang their heads]No hope to have redress?My body shall Pay recompense,if you will grant my suit.[They shake their heads]Cannot 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 depart]See!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