The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9] · William Shakespeare
SCENE III. _Before Angiers_.
_Alarum. Excursions. Enter_ LA PUCELLE. _Puc._ The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. [aec001] Now help, ye charming spells and periapts; And ye choice spirits that admonish me And give me signs of future accidents. [_Thunder._ [aec004] You speedy helpers, that are substitutes ·aec005· Under the lordly monarch of the north, Appear and aid me in this enterprise. [aec007] _Enter_ Fiends. This speedy and quick appearance argues proof [aec008] Of your accustom’d diligence to me. Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull’d [aec010] Out of the powerful regions under earth, [aec011] 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 ·aec015· 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 ·aec020· 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 [aec025] 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_ LA PUCELLE _fighting hand to hand with_ YORK: LA PUCELLE _is taken. The French fly_. _York._ Damsel of France, I think I have you fast: [aec030] Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms And try if they can gain your liberty. [aec032] 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! ·aec035· _Puc._ Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be. _York._ O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; No shape but his can please your dainty eye. _Puc._ A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee! And may ye both be suddenly surprised ·aec040· By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds! _York._ Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue! _Puc._ I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile. _York._ Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake. [aec044] [_Exeunt._ _Alarum. Enter_ SUFFOLK, _with_ MARGARET _in his hand_. _Suf._ Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner. [aec045] [_Gazes on her._ O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly! For I will touch thee but with reverent hands; [aec047] I kiss these fingers for eternal peace, [aec048] And lay them gently on thy tender side. Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee. [aec050] _Mar._ Margaret my name, and daughter to a king, The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.
_Suf._ An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call’d. [aec053] Be not offended, nature’s miracle, Thou art allotted to be ta’en by me: ·aec055· So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, [aec056] Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. [aec057] Yet, if this servile usage once offend, Go and be free again as Suffolk’s friend. [aec059] [_She is going._ O, stay! I have no power to let her pass; [aec060] My hand would free her, but my heart says no. As plays the sun upon the glassy streams, [aec062] Twinkling another counterfeited beam, So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak: ·aec065· 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? [aec068] Wilt thou be daunted at a woman’s sight? Ay, beauty’s princely majesty is such, [aec070] Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough. [aec071] _Mar._ Say, Earl of Suffolk,--if thy name be so-- What ransom must I pay before I pass? For I perceive I am thy prisoner. _Suf._ How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit, [aec075] Before thou make a trial of her love? _Mar._ Why speak’st thou not? what ransom must I pay? [aec077] _Suf._ She’s beautiful and therefore to be woo’d; She is a woman, therefore to be won.
_Reig._ To whom? _Suf._ To me. _Reig._ Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier and unapt to weep Or to exclaim on fortune’s fickleness. _Suf._ Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: ·aec135· 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 [aec139] Hath gain’d thy daughter princely liberty. ·aec140· _Reig._ Speaks Suffolk as he thinks? _Suf._ Fair Margaret knows That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign. [aec142] _Reig._ Upon thy princely warrant, I descend To give thee answer of thy just demand. [aec144] [_Exit from the walls._ _Suf._ And here I will expect thy coming. [aec145] _Trumpets sound. Enter_ REIGNIER, _below_. _Reig._ Welcome, brave earl, into our territories: Command in Anjou what your honour pleases. _Suf._ Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, [aec148] Fit to be made companion with a king: [aec149] What answer makes your grace unto my suit? ·aec150· _Reig._ Since 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, [aec154] Free from oppression or the stroke of war, ·aec155· My daughter shall be Henry’s, if he please. _Suf._ That is her ransom; I deliver her; And those two counties I will undertake [aec158] Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.
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