The Complete Works of William Shakespeare · William Shakespeare
SCENE IV. Other plains in Gascony.
Enter Somerset with his army; a Captain of Talbot’s with him. SOMERSET. It is too late; I cannot send them now. This expedition was by York and Talbot Too rashly plotted. All our general force Might with a sally of the very town Be buckled with. The over-daring Talbot Hath sullied all his gloss of former honour By this unheedful, desperate, wild adventure. York set him on to fight and die in shame That, Talbot dead, great York might bear the name. CAPTAIN. Here is Sir William Lucy, who with me Set from our o’er-match’d forces forth for aid. Enter Sir William Lucy. SOMERSET. How now, Sir William, whither were you sent? LUCY. Whither, my lord? From bought and sold Lord Talbot, Who, ring’d about with bold adversity, Cries out for noble York and Somerset To beat assailing Death from his weak legions; And whiles the honourable captain there Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs, And, in advantage lingering, looks for rescue, You, his false hopes, the trust of England’s honour, Keep off aloof with worthless emulation. Let not your private discord keep away The levied succours that should lend him aid, While he, renowned noble gentleman, Yield up his life unto a world of odds. Orleans the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy, Alençon, Reignier, compass him about, And Talbot perisheth by your default.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.