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Enter on the walls a FRENCH SERGEANT of a Band, with two SENTINELS.
Enter on the walls a FRENCH SERGEANT of a Band, with two SENTINELS.
SERGEANT
Sirs, take your places and be vigilant.
If any noise or soldier you perceive
Near to the walls, by some apparent sign
Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.
SERGEANT
Sirs, take your places and be vigilant.
If any noise or soldier you perceive
Near to the walls, by some apparent sign
Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.
SENTINEL
5
Sergeant, you shall. SERGEANT exits.
Thus are poor servitors,
When others sleep upon their quiet beds,
Constrained to watch in darkness, rain, and cold.
SENTINEL
5
Sergeant, you shall. SERGEANT exits.
Thus are poor servitors,
When others sleep upon their quiet beds,
Constrained to watch in darkness, rain, and cold.
Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, and BURGUNDY, below, with scaling ladders.
Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, and BURGUNDY, below, with scaling ladders.
TALBOT
Lord Regent, and redoubted Burgundy,
10
By whose approach the regions of Artois,
Walloon, and Picardy are friends to us,
This happy night the Frenchmen are secure,
Having all day caroused and banqueted.
Embrace we then this opportunity,
15
As fitting best to quittance their deceit
Contrived by art and baleful sorcery.
TALBOT
Lord Regent, and redoubted Burgundy,
10
By whose approach the regions of Artois,
Walloon, and Picardy are friends to us,
This happy night the Frenchmen are secure,
Having all day caroused and banqueted.
Embrace we then this opportunity,
15
As fitting best to quittance their deceit
Contrived by art and baleful sorcery.
BEDFORD
Coward of France, how much he wrongs his fame,
Despairing of his own arm’s fortitude,
To join with witches and the help of hell!
BEDFORD
Coward of France, how much he wrongs his fame,
Despairing of his own arm’s fortitude,
To join with witches and the help of hell!
BURGUNDY
20
Traitors have never other company.
But what’s that Pucelle whom they term so pure?
BURGUNDY
20
Traitors have never other company.
But what’s that Pucelle whom they term so pure?
  TALBOT
A maid, they say.
  TALBOT
A maid, they say.
BEDFORD
A maid? And be so martial?
BEDFORD
A maid? And be so martial?
BURGUNDY
Pray God she prove not masculine ere long,
25
If underneath the standard of the French
She carry armor as she hath begun.
BURGUNDY
Pray God she prove not masculine ere long,
25
If underneath the standard of the French
She carry armor as she hath begun.
TALBOT
Well, let them practice and converse with spirits.
God is our fortress, in whose conquering name
Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks.
TALBOT
Well, let them practice and converse with spirits.
God is our fortress, in whose conquering name
Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks.
BEDFORD
30
Ascend, brave Talbot. We will follow thee.
BEDFORD
30
Ascend, brave Talbot. We will follow thee.
TALBOT
Not all together. Better far, I guess,
That we do make our entrance several ways,
That if it chance the one of us do fail,
The other yet may rise against their force.
TALBOT
Not all together. Better far, I guess,
That we do make our entrance several ways,
That if it chance the one of us do fail,
The other yet may rise against their force.
BEDFORD
35
Agreed. I’ll to yond corner.
BEDFORD
35
Agreed. I’ll to yond corner.
BURGUNDY
And I to this.
BURGUNDY
And I to this.
TALBOT
And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.
Now, Salisbury, for thee and for the right
Of English Henry, shall this night appear
40
How much in duty I am bound to both.
TALBOT
And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.
Now, Salisbury, for thee and for the right
Of English Henry, shall this night appear
40
How much in duty I am bound to both.
Scaling the walls, they cry “Saint George! À Talbot!”
Scaling the walls, they cry “Saint George! À Talbot!”
SENTINEL
Arm, arm! The enemy doth make assault.
SENTINEL
Arm, arm! The enemy doth make assault.
THE ENGLISH , pursuing the SENTINELS, exit aloft. THE FRENCH leap o’er the walls in their shirts.
THE ENGLISH , pursuing the SENTINELS, exit aloft. THE FRENCH leap o’er the walls in their shirts.
Enter several ways , BASTARD, ALANSON, REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready.
Enter several ways , BASTARD, ALANSON, REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready.
ALANSON
How now, my lords? What, all unready so?
ALANSON
How now, my lords? What, all unready so?
BASTARD
Unready? Ay, and glad we scaped so well.
BASTARD
Unready? Ay, and glad we scaped so well.
  REIGNIER
’Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
45
Hearing alarums at our chamber doors.
  REIGNIER
’Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
45
Hearing alarums at our chamber doors.
ALANSON
Of all exploits since first I followed arms
Ne’er heard I of a warlike enterprise
More venturous or desperate than this.
ALANSON
Of all exploits since first I followed arms
Ne’er heard I of a warlike enterprise
More venturous or desperate than this.
BASTARD
I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.
BASTARD
I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.
REIGNIER
50
If not of hell, the heavens sure favor him.
REIGNIER
50
If not of hell, the heavens sure favor him.
ALANSON
Here cometh Charles. I marvel how he sped.
ALANSON
Here cometh Charles. I marvel how he sped.
Enter CHARLES and JOAN LA PUCELLE.
Enter CHARLES and JOAN LA PUCELLE.
BASTARD
Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard.
BASTARD
Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard.
CHARLES
Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?
Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal,
55
Make us partakers of a little gain
That now our loss might be ten times so much?
CHARLES
Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?
Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal,
55
Make us partakers of a little gain
That now our loss might be ten times so much?
PUCELLE
Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
At all times will you have my power alike?
Sleeping or waking, must I still prevail,
60
Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?—
Improvident soldiers, had your watch been good,
This sudden mischief never could have fall’n.
PUCELLE
Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
At all times will you have my power alike?
Sleeping or waking, must I still prevail,
60
Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?—
Improvident soldiers, had your watch been good,
This sudden mischief never could have fall’n.
CHARLES
Duke of Alanson, this was your default,
That, being captain of the watch tonight,
65
Did look no better to that weighty charge.
CHARLES
Duke of Alanson, this was your default,
That, being captain of the watch tonight,
65
Did look no better to that weighty charge.
ALANSON
Had all your quarters been as safely kept
As that whereof I had the government,
We had not been thus shamefully surprised.
ALANSON
Had all your quarters been as safely kept
As that whereof I had the government,
We had not been thus shamefully surprised.
BASTARD
Mine was secure.
BASTARD
Mine was secure.
REIGNIER
70
And so was mine, my lord.
REIGNIER
70
And so was mine, my lord.
CHARLES
And for myself, most part of all this night
Within her quarter and mine own precinct
I was employed in passing to and fro
About relieving of the sentinels.
75
Then how or which way should they first break in?
CHARLES
And for myself, most part of all this night
Within her quarter and mine own precinct
I was employed in passing to and fro
About relieving of the sentinels.
75
Then how or which way should they first break in?
PUCELLE
Question, my lords, no further of the case,
How or which way; ’tis sure they found some place
But weakly guarded, where the breach was made.
And now there rests no other shift but this:
80
To gather our soldiers, scattered and dispersed,
And lay new platforms to endamage them.
PUCELLE
Question, my lords, no further of the case,
How or which way; ’tis sure they found some place
But weakly guarded, where the breach was made.
And now there rests no other shift but this:
80
To gather our soldiers, scattered and dispersed,
And lay new platforms to endamage them.
Alarum. Enter an ENGLISH SOLDIER, crying, “À Talbot, À Talbot!” THE FRENCH fly, leaving their clothes behind.
Alarum. Enter an ENGLISH SOLDIER, crying, “À Talbot, À Talbot!” THE FRENCH fly, leaving their clothes behind.
SOLDIER
I’ll be so bold to take what they have left.
The cry of “Talbot” serves me for a sword,
For I have loaden me with many spoils,
85
Using no other weapon but his name.
SOLDIER
I’ll be so bold to take what they have left.
The cry of “Talbot” serves me for a sword,
For I have loaden me with many spoils,
85
Using no other weapon but his name.
He exits.
He exits.

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter on the walls a FRENCH SERGEANT of a Band, with two SENTINELS.
Enter on the walls a FRENCH SERGEANT of a Band, with two SENTINELS.
SERGEANT
Sirs, take your places and be vigilant.
If any noise or soldier you perceive
Near to the walls, by some apparent sign
Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.
SERGEANT
Sirs, take your places and be vigilant.
If any noise or soldier you perceive
Near to the walls, by some apparent sign
Let us have knowledge at the court of guard.
SENTINEL
5
Sergeant, you shall. SERGEANT exits.
Thus are poor servitors,
When others sleep upon their quiet beds,
Constrained to watch in darkness, rain, and cold.
SENTINEL
5
Sergeant, you shall. SERGEANT exits.
Thus are poor servitors,
When others sleep upon their quiet beds,
Constrained to watch in darkness, rain, and cold.
Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, and BURGUNDY, below, with scaling ladders.
Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, and BURGUNDY, below, with scaling ladders.
TALBOT
Lord Regent, and redoubted Burgundy,
10
By whose approach the regions of Artois,
Walloon, and Picardy are friends to us,
This happy night the Frenchmen are secure,
Having all day caroused and banqueted.
Embrace we then this opportunity,
15
As fitting best to quittance their deceit
Contrived by art and baleful sorcery.
TALBOT
Lord Regent, and redoubted Burgundy,
10
By whose approach the regions of Artois,
Walloon, and Picardy are friends to us,
This happy night the Frenchmen are secure,
Having all day caroused and banqueted.
Embrace we then this opportunity,
15
As fitting best to quittance their deceit
Contrived by art and baleful sorcery.
BEDFORD
Coward of France, how much he wrongs his fame,
Despairing of his own arm’s fortitude,
To join with witches and the help of hell!
BEDFORD
Coward of France, how much he wrongs his fame,
Despairing of his own arm’s fortitude,
To join with witches and the help of hell!
BURGUNDY
20
Traitors have never other company.
But what’s that Pucelle whom they term so pure?
BURGUNDY
20
Traitors have never other company.
But what’s that Pucelle whom they term so pure?
  TALBOT
A maid, they say.
  TALBOT
A maid, they say.
BEDFORD
A maid? And be so martial?
BEDFORD
A maid? And be so martial?
BURGUNDY
Pray God she prove not masculine ere long,
25
If underneath the standard of the French
She carry armor as she hath begun.
BURGUNDY
Pray God she prove not masculine ere long,
25
If underneath the standard of the French
She carry armor as she hath begun.
TALBOT
Well, let them practice and converse with spirits.
God is our fortress, in whose conquering name
Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks.
TALBOT
Well, let them practice and converse with spirits.
God is our fortress, in whose conquering name
Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks.
BEDFORD
30
Ascend, brave Talbot. We will follow thee.
BEDFORD
30
Ascend, brave Talbot. We will follow thee.
TALBOT
Not all together. Better far, I guess,
That we do make our entrance several ways,
That if it chance the one of us do fail,
The other yet may rise against their force.
TALBOT
Not all together. Better far, I guess,
That we do make our entrance several ways,
That if it chance the one of us do fail,
The other yet may rise against their force.
BEDFORD
35
Agreed. I’ll to yond corner.
BEDFORD
35
Agreed. I’ll to yond corner.
BURGUNDY
And I to this.
BURGUNDY
And I to this.
TALBOT
And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.
Now, Salisbury, for thee and for the right
Of English Henry, shall this night appear
40
How much in duty I am bound to both.
TALBOT
And here will Talbot mount, or make his grave.
Now, Salisbury, for thee and for the right
Of English Henry, shall this night appear
40
How much in duty I am bound to both.
Scaling the walls, they cry “Saint George! À Talbot!”
Scaling the walls, they cry “Saint George! À Talbot!”
SENTINEL
Arm, arm! The enemy doth make assault.
SENTINEL
Arm, arm! The enemy doth make assault.
THE ENGLISH , pursuing the SENTINELS, exit aloft. THE FRENCH leap o’er the walls in their shirts.
THE ENGLISH , pursuing the SENTINELS, exit aloft. THE FRENCH leap o’er the walls in their shirts.
Enter several ways , BASTARD, ALANSON, REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready.
Enter several ways , BASTARD, ALANSON, REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready.
ALANSON
How now, my lords? What, all unready so?
ALANSON
How now, my lords? What, all unready so?
BASTARD
Unready? Ay, and glad we scaped so well.
BASTARD
Unready? Ay, and glad we scaped so well.
  REIGNIER
’Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
45
Hearing alarums at our chamber doors.
  REIGNIER
’Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
45
Hearing alarums at our chamber doors.
ALANSON
Of all exploits since first I followed arms
Ne’er heard I of a warlike enterprise
More venturous or desperate than this.
ALANSON
Of all exploits since first I followed arms
Ne’er heard I of a warlike enterprise
More venturous or desperate than this.
BASTARD
I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.
BASTARD
I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell.
REIGNIER
50
If not of hell, the heavens sure favor him.
REIGNIER
50
If not of hell, the heavens sure favor him.
ALANSON
Here cometh Charles. I marvel how he sped.
ALANSON
Here cometh Charles. I marvel how he sped.
Enter CHARLES and JOAN LA PUCELLE.
Enter CHARLES and JOAN LA PUCELLE.
BASTARD
Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard.
BASTARD
Tut, holy Joan was his defensive guard.
CHARLES
Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?
Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal,
55
Make us partakers of a little gain
That now our loss might be ten times so much?
CHARLES
Is this thy cunning, thou deceitful dame?
Didst thou at first, to flatter us withal,
55
Make us partakers of a little gain
That now our loss might be ten times so much?
PUCELLE
Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
At all times will you have my power alike?
Sleeping or waking, must I still prevail,
60
Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?—
Improvident soldiers, had your watch been good,
This sudden mischief never could have fall’n.
PUCELLE
Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend?
At all times will you have my power alike?
Sleeping or waking, must I still prevail,
60
Or will you blame and lay the fault on me?—
Improvident soldiers, had your watch been good,
This sudden mischief never could have fall’n.
CHARLES
Duke of Alanson, this was your default,
That, being captain of the watch tonight,
65
Did look no better to that weighty charge.
CHARLES
Duke of Alanson, this was your default,
That, being captain of the watch tonight,
65
Did look no better to that weighty charge.
ALANSON
Had all your quarters been as safely kept
As that whereof I had the government,
We had not been thus shamefully surprised.
ALANSON
Had all your quarters been as safely kept
As that whereof I had the government,
We had not been thus shamefully surprised.
BASTARD
Mine was secure.
BASTARD
Mine was secure.
REIGNIER
70
And so was mine, my lord.
REIGNIER
70
And so was mine, my lord.
CHARLES
And for myself, most part of all this night
Within her quarter and mine own precinct
I was employed in passing to and fro
About relieving of the sentinels.
75
Then how or which way should they first break in?
CHARLES
And for myself, most part of all this night
Within her quarter and mine own precinct
I was employed in passing to and fro
About relieving of the sentinels.
75
Then how or which way should they first break in?
PUCELLE
Question, my lords, no further of the case,
How or which way; ’tis sure they found some place
But weakly guarded, where the breach was made.
And now there rests no other shift but this:
80
To gather our soldiers, scattered and dispersed,
And lay new platforms to endamage them.
PUCELLE
Question, my lords, no further of the case,
How or which way; ’tis sure they found some place
But weakly guarded, where the breach was made.
And now there rests no other shift but this:
80
To gather our soldiers, scattered and dispersed,
And lay new platforms to endamage them.
Alarum. Enter an ENGLISH SOLDIER, crying, “À Talbot, À Talbot!” THE FRENCH fly, leaving their clothes behind.
Alarum. Enter an ENGLISH SOLDIER, crying, “À Talbot, À Talbot!” THE FRENCH fly, leaving their clothes behind.
SOLDIER
I’ll be so bold to take what they have left.
The cry of “Talbot” serves me for a sword,
For I have loaden me with many spoils,
85
Using no other weapon but his name.
SOLDIER
I’ll be so bold to take what they have left.
The cry of “Talbot” serves me for a sword,
For I have loaden me with many spoils,
85
Using no other weapon but his name.
He exits.
He exits.

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