SCENE IV. Camp of the Duke of York, in Anjou. Enter YORK, WARWICK, and others. York. Bring forth that sorceress, condemned to burn. Enter LA PUCELLE, guarded, and a Shepherd. Shep. Ah, Joan! this kills thy father's heart outright ! Have I sought every country far and near, And, now it is my chance to find thee out, Must I behold thy timeless, cruel death? Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I'll die with thee! Puc. Decrepit miser! base, ignoble wretch! I am descended of a gentler blood; Thou art no father, nor no friend, of mine. Shep. Out, out!-My lords, an please you, it is not so; I did beget her, all the parish knows. Her mother liveth yet, can testify, She was the first fruit of my bachelorship. War. Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage? Shep. Fie, Joan! that thou wilt be so obstacle! Deny me not, I pr'ythee, gentle Joan. Puc. Peasant, avaunt!-You have suborned this man, Of purpose to obscure my noble birth. Shep. 'Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest, Thy mother gave thee, when thou suck'st her breast, Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs a-field, Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab? O, burn her, burn her; hanging is too good. [Exit. York. Take her away, for she hath lived too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities. Puc. First, let me tell you whom you have condemned. Not one begotten of a shepherd swain, But issued from the progeny of kings; Virtuous and holy; chosen from above, By inspiration of celestial grace, To work exceeding miracles on earth. Chaste and immaculate in every thought; Puc. Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?— Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity; That warranteth by law to be thy privilege.-— I am with child, ye bloody homicides; Murder not then the fruit within my womb. Although ye hale me to a violent death. York. Now Heaven forefend! the holy maid with child! War. The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought. Is all your strict preciseness come to this? York. She and the dauphin have been juggling; I did imagine what would be her refuge. War. Well, go to; we will have no bastards live; Especially, since Charles must father it. Puc. You are deceived; my child is none of his. It was Alençon, that enjoyed my love. York. Alençon! that notorious Machiavel! It dies, an if it had a thousand lives. Puc. O, give me leave, I have deluded you. 'Twas neither Charles, nor yet the duke I named, But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevailed. War. A married man! that's most intolerable. York. Why, here's a girl! I think she knows not well, There were so many, whom she may accuse. War. It's a sign, she hath been liberal and free. York. And yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure.Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat, and thee; Use no entreaty, for it is in vain. Puc. Then lead me hence; with whom I leave my curse: May never glorious sun reflex his beams Enter CARDINAL BEAUFORT, attended. York. Is all our travail turned to this effect? War. Be patient, York; if we conclude a peace, Enter CHARLES, attended; ALENÇON, Bastard, REIGNIER, and others. Char. Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed, That peaceful truce shall be proclaimed in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be. York. Speak, Winchester; for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my poisoned voice, By sight of these our baleful enemies. Win. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: That-in regard king Henry gives consent, Of mere compassion, and of lenity, To ease your country of distressful war, And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,- Alen. Must he be then as shadow of himself? And yet, in substance and authority, Retain but privilege of a private man? Char. 'Tis known, already, that I am possessed York. Insulting Charles! hast thou by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league; And, now the matter grows to compromise, If once it be neglected, ten to one, Alen. To say the truth, it is your policy, And therefore take this compact of a truce, Although you break it when your pleasure serves. [Aside to CHARLES War. How say'st thou, Charles? shall our condition stand? Char. It shall: Only reserved, you claim no interest In any of our towns of garrison. York. Then swear allegiance to his majesty; As thou art knight, never to disobey, Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.- So, now dismiss your army when ye please; [Exeunt SCENE V. London. A Room in the Palace. Enter KING HENRY, in conference with SUFFOLK; GLOS TER and EXETER following. K. Hen. Your wondrous rare description, noble earl, Of beauteous Margaret hath astonished me. Her virtues, graced with external gifts, Do breed love's settled passions in my heart; Suff. Tush! my good lord! this superficial tale K. Hen. And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume. How shall we then dispense with that contract, Suff. As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths; |