Paris. A Room in the Palace. | |
| |
Enter KING HENRY, GLOUCESTER, BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, YORK, SUFFOLK, SOMERSET, WARWICK, EXETER; VERNON, BASSET, and Others. To them with his Soldiers, TALBOT. | |
| Tal. My gracious prince, and honourable peers, | |
| Hearing of your arrival in this realm, | 4 |
| I have a while giv’n truce unto my wars, | |
| To do my duty to my sovereign: | |
| In sign whereof, this arm,—that hath reclaim’d | |
| To your obedience fifty fortresses, | 8 |
| Twelve cities, and seven walled towns of strength, | |
| Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem,— | |
| Lets fall his sword before your highness’ feet, [Kneels. | |
| And with submissive loyalty of heart, | 12 |
| Ascribes the glory of his conquest got, | |
| First to my God, and next unto your Grace. | |
| K. Hen. Is this the Lord Talbot, uncle Gloucester, | |
| That hath so long been resident in France? | 16 |
| Glo. Yes, if it please your majesty, my liege. | |
| K. Hen. Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord! | |
| When I was young,—as yet I am not old,— | |
| I do remember how my father said, | 20 |
| A stouter champion never handled sword. | |
| Long since we were resolved of your truth, | |
| Your faithful service and your toil in war; | |
| Yet never have you tasted our reward, | 24 |
| Or been reguerdon’d with so much as thanks, | |
| Because till now we never saw your face: | |
| Therefore, stand up; and for these good deserts, | |
| We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury; | 28 |
| And in our coronation take your place. [Flourish. Exeunt all but VERNON and BASSET. | |
| Ver. Now, sir, to you, that were so hot at sea, | |
| Disgracing of these colours that I wear | |
| In honour of my noble Lord of York, | 32 |
| Dar’st thou maintain the former words thou spak’st? | |
| Bas. Yes, sir: as well as you dare patronage | |
| The envious barking of your saucy tongue | |
| Against my lord the Duke of Somerset. | 36 |
| Ver. Sirrah, thy lord I honour as he is. | |
| Bas. Why, what is he? as good a man as York. | |
| Ver. Hark ye; not so: in witness, take ye that. [Strikes him. | |
| Bas. Villain, thou know’st the law of arms is such | 40 |
| That, whoso draws a sword, ’tis present death, | |
| Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood. | |
| But I’ll unto his majesty, and crave | |
| I may have liberty to venge this wrong; | 44 |
| When thou shalt see I’ll meet thee to thy cost | |
| Ver. Well, miscreant, I’ll be there as soon as you; | |
| And, after, meet you sooner than you would. [Exeunt. | |
