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Enter COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE, with PORTER.
Enter COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE, with PORTER.
COUNTESS
Porter, remember what I gave in charge,
And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
COUNTESS
Porter, remember what I gave in charge,
And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
PORTER
Madam, I will.
PORTER
Madam, I will.
He exits.
He exits.
COUNTESS
The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
5
I shall as famous be by this exploit
As Scythian Tamyris by Cyrus’ death.
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,
And his achievements of no less account.
Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
10
To give their censure of these rare reports.
COUNTESS
The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
I shall as famous be by this exploit
As Scythian Tamyris by Cyrus’ death.
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,
And his achievements of no less account.
Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
To give their censure of these rare reports.
Enter MESSENGER and TALBOT.
Enter MESSENGER and TALBOT.
MESSENGER
Madam, according as your Ladyship desired,
By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
MESSENGER
Madam, according as your Ladyship desired,
By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
COUNTESS
And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
COUNTESS
And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
MESSENGER
Madam, it is.
MESSENGER
Madam, it is.
COUNTESS
15
Is this the scourge of France?
Is this the Talbot, so much feared abroad
That with his name the mothers still their babes?
I see report is fabulous and false.
I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
20
A second Hector, for his grim aspect
And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies.
COUNTESS
Is this the scourge of France?
Is this the Talbot, so much feared abroad
That with his name the mothers still their babes?
I see report is fabulous and false.
I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
A second Hector, for his grim aspect
And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies.
TALBOT
25
Madam, I have been bold to trouble you.
But since your Ladyship is not at leisure,
I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
TALBOT
Madam, I have been bold to trouble you.
But since your Ladyship is not at leisure,
I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
He begins to exit.
He begins to exit.
COUNTESS , to MESSENGER
What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.
COUNTESS , to MESSENGER
What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.
MESSENGER
Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
30
To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
MESSENGER
Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
TALBOT
Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
TALBOT
Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
Enter PORTER with keys.
Enter PORTER with keys.
COUNTESS , to TALBOT
If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
COUNTESS , to TALBOT
If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
TALBOT
Prisoner? To whom?
TALBOT
Prisoner? To whom?
COUNTESS
35
To me, bloodthirsty lord.
And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
For in my gallery thy picture hangs.
But now the substance shall endure the like,
40
And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
That hast by tyranny these many years
Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
COUNTESS
To me, bloodthirsty lord.
And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
For in my gallery thy picture hangs.
But now the substance shall endure the like,
And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
That hast by tyranny these many years
Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
TALBOT
Ha, ha, ha!
TALBOT
Ha, ha, ha!
COUNTESS
45
Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.
COUNTESS
Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.
TALBOT
I laugh to see your Ladyship so fond
To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow
Whereon to practice your severity.
TALBOT
I laugh to see your Ladyship so fond
To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow
Whereon to practice your severity.
COUNTESS
Why, art not thou the man?
COUNTESS
Why, art not thou the man?
  TALBOT
50
I am, indeed.
  TALBOT
I am, indeed.
COUNTESS
Then have I substance too.
COUNTESS
Then have I substance too.
TALBOT
No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
You are deceived; my substance is not here,
For what you see is but the smallest part
55
And least proportion of humanity.
I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
Your roof were not sufficient to contain ’t.
TALBOT
No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
You are deceived; my substance is not here,
For what you see is but the smallest part
And least proportion of humanity.
I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
Your roof were not sufficient to contain ’t.
COUNTESS
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce:
60
He will be here and yet he is not here.
How can these contrarieties agree?
COUNTESS
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce:
He will be here and yet he is not here.
How can these contrarieties agree?
TALBOT
That will I show you presently.
Winds his horn. Drums strike up; a peal of ordnance.
Enter SOLDIERS.
How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
65
These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns,
And in a moment makes them desolate.
TALBOT
That will I show you presently.
Winds his horn. Drums strike up; a peal of ordnance.
Enter SOLDIERS.
How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns,
And in a moment makes them desolate.
COUNTESS
Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
70
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
For I am sorry that with reverence
I did not entertain thee as thou art.
COUNTESS
Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
For I am sorry that with reverence
I did not entertain thee as thou art.
TALBOT
75
Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster
The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
The outward composition of his body.
What you have done hath not offended me,
Nor other satisfaction do I crave
80
But only, with your patience, that we may
Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.
TALBOT
Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster
The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
The outward composition of his body.
What you have done hath not offended me,
Nor other satisfaction do I crave
But only, with your patience, that we may
Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.
COUNTESS
With all my heart, and think me honorèd
To feast so great a warrior in my house.
COUNTESS
With all my heart, and think me honorèd
To feast so great a warrior in my house.
They exit.
They exit.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE, with PORTER.
Enter COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE, with PORTER.
COUNTESS
Porter, remember what I gave in charge,
And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
COUNTESS
Porter, remember what I gave in charge,
And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
PORTER
Madam, I will.
PORTER
Madam, I will.
He exits.
He exits.
COUNTESS
The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
5
I shall as famous be by this exploit
As Scythian Tamyris by Cyrus’ death.
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,
And his achievements of no less account.
Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
10
To give their censure of these rare reports.
COUNTESS
The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
I shall as famous be by this exploit
As Scythian Tamyris by Cyrus’ death.
Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,
And his achievements of no less account.
Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
To give their censure of these rare reports.
Enter MESSENGER and TALBOT.
Enter MESSENGER and TALBOT.
MESSENGER
Madam, according as your Ladyship desired,
By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
MESSENGER
Madam, according as your Ladyship desired,
By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
COUNTESS
And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
COUNTESS
And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
MESSENGER
Madam, it is.
MESSENGER
Madam, it is.
COUNTESS
15
Is this the scourge of France?
Is this the Talbot, so much feared abroad
That with his name the mothers still their babes?
I see report is fabulous and false.
I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
20
A second Hector, for his grim aspect
And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies.
COUNTESS
Is this the scourge of France?
Is this the Talbot, so much feared abroad
That with his name the mothers still their babes?
I see report is fabulous and false.
I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
A second Hector, for his grim aspect
And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies.
TALBOT
25
Madam, I have been bold to trouble you.
But since your Ladyship is not at leisure,
I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
TALBOT
Madam, I have been bold to trouble you.
But since your Ladyship is not at leisure,
I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
He begins to exit.
He begins to exit.
COUNTESS , to MESSENGER
What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.
COUNTESS , to MESSENGER
What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.
MESSENGER
Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
30
To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
MESSENGER
Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
TALBOT
Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
TALBOT
Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
Enter PORTER with keys.
Enter PORTER with keys.
COUNTESS , to TALBOT
If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
COUNTESS , to TALBOT
If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
TALBOT
Prisoner? To whom?
TALBOT
Prisoner? To whom?
COUNTESS
35
To me, bloodthirsty lord.
And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
For in my gallery thy picture hangs.
But now the substance shall endure the like,
40
And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
That hast by tyranny these many years
Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
COUNTESS
To me, bloodthirsty lord.
And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
For in my gallery thy picture hangs.
But now the substance shall endure the like,
And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
That hast by tyranny these many years
Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
TALBOT
Ha, ha, ha!
TALBOT
Ha, ha, ha!
COUNTESS
45
Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.
COUNTESS
Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.
TALBOT
I laugh to see your Ladyship so fond
To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow
Whereon to practice your severity.
TALBOT
I laugh to see your Ladyship so fond
To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow
Whereon to practice your severity.
COUNTESS
Why, art not thou the man?
COUNTESS
Why, art not thou the man?
  TALBOT
50
I am, indeed.
  TALBOT
I am, indeed.
COUNTESS
Then have I substance too.
COUNTESS
Then have I substance too.
TALBOT
No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
You are deceived; my substance is not here,
For what you see is but the smallest part
55
And least proportion of humanity.
I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
Your roof were not sufficient to contain ’t.
TALBOT
No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
You are deceived; my substance is not here,
For what you see is but the smallest part
And least proportion of humanity.
I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
Your roof were not sufficient to contain ’t.
COUNTESS
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce:
60
He will be here and yet he is not here.
How can these contrarieties agree?
COUNTESS
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce:
He will be here and yet he is not here.
How can these contrarieties agree?
TALBOT
That will I show you presently.
Winds his horn. Drums strike up; a peal of ordnance.
Enter SOLDIERS.
How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
65
These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns,
And in a moment makes them desolate.
TALBOT
That will I show you presently.
Winds his horn. Drums strike up; a peal of ordnance.
Enter SOLDIERS.
How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns,
And in a moment makes them desolate.
COUNTESS
Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
70
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
For I am sorry that with reverence
I did not entertain thee as thou art.
COUNTESS
Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
For I am sorry that with reverence
I did not entertain thee as thou art.
TALBOT
75
Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster
The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
The outward composition of his body.
What you have done hath not offended me,
Nor other satisfaction do I crave
80
But only, with your patience, that we may
Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.
TALBOT
Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster
The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
The outward composition of his body.
What you have done hath not offended me,
Nor other satisfaction do I crave
But only, with your patience, that we may
Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.
COUNTESS
With all my heart, and think me honorèd
To feast so great a warrior in my house.
COUNTESS
With all my heart, and think me honorèd
To feast so great a warrior in my house.
They exit.
They exit.
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