Shakespeare's First Folio Part 361

They hang their heads.

No hope to haue redresse? My body shall Pay recompence, if you will graunt my suite.

They shake their heads.

Cannot my body, nor blood-sacrifice, Intreate you to your wonted furtherance?

Then take my soule; my body, soule, and all, Before that England giue the French the foyle.

They depart.

See, they forsake me. Now the time is come, That France must vale her lofty plumed Crest, And let her head fall into Englands lappe.

My ancient Incantations are too weake, And h.e.l.l too strong for me to buckle with: Now France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.

Enter.

Excursions. Burgundie and Yorke fight hand to hand. French flye.

Yorke. Damsell of France, I thinke I haue you fast, Vnchaine your spirits now with spelling Charmes, And try if they can gaine your liberty.

A goodly prize, fit for the diuels grace.

See how the vgly Witch doth bend her browes, As if with Circe, she would change my shape

Puc. Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be: Yor. Oh, Charles the Dolphin is a proper man, No shape but his can please your dainty eye

Puc. A plaguing mischeefe light on Charles, and thee, And may ye both be sodainly surpriz'd By bloudy hands, in sleeping on your beds

Yorke. Fell banning Hagge, Inchantresse hold thy tongue

Puc. I prethee giue me leaue to curse awhile

Yorke. Curse Miscreant, when thou comst to the stake

Exeunt.

Alarum. Enter Suffolke with Margaret in his hand.

Suff. Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.

Gazes on her.

Oh Fairest Beautie, do not feare, nor flye: For I will touch thee but with reuerend hands, I kisse these fingers for eternall peace, And lay them gently on thy tender side.

Who art thou, say? that I may honor thee

Mar. Margaret my name, and daughter to a King, The King of Naples, who so ere thou art

Suff. An Earle I am, and Suffolke am I call'd.

Be not offended Natures myracle, Thou art alotted to be tane by me: So doth the Swan her downie Signets saue, Keeping them prisoner vnderneath his wings: Yet if this seruile vsage once offend, Go, and be free againe, as Suffolkes friend.

She is going

Oh stay: I haue no power to let her pa.s.se, My hand would free her, but my heart sayes no.

As playes the Sunne vpon the gla.s.sie streames, Twinkling another counterfetted beame, So seemes this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.

Faine would I woe her, yet I dare not speake: Ile call for Pen and Inke, and write my minde: Fye De la Pole, disable not thy selfe: Hast not a Tongue? Is she not heere?

Wilt thou be daunted at a Womans sight?

I: Beauties Princely Maiesty is such, 'Confounds the tongue, and makes the senses rough

Mar. Say Earle of Suffolke, if thy name be so, What ransome must I pay before I pa.s.se?

For I perceiue I am thy prisoner

Suf. How canst thou tell she will deny thy suite, Before thou make a triall of her loue?

M. Why speak'st thou not? What ransom must I pay?

Suf. She's beautifull; and therefore to be Wooed: She is a Woman; therefore to be Wonne

Mar, Wilt thou accept of ransome, yea or no?

Suf. Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife, Then how can Margaret be thy Paramour?

Mar. I were best to leaue him, for he will not heare

Suf. There all is marr'd: there lies a cooling card

Mar. He talkes at randon: sure the man is mad

Suf. And yet a dispensation may bee had

Mar. And yet I would that you would answer me

Suf. Ile win this Lady Margaret. For whom?

Why for my King: Tush, that's a woodden thing

Mar. He talkes of wood: It is some Carpenter

Suf. Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established betweene these Realmes.

But there remaines a scruple in that too: For though her Father be the King of Naples, Duke of Aniou and Mayne, yet is he poore, And our n.o.bility will scorne the match

Mar. Heare ye Captaine? Are you not at leysure?

Suf. It shall be so, disdaine they ne're so much: Henry is youthfull, and will quickly yeeld.

Madam, I haue a secret to reueale

Mar. What though I be inthral'd, he seems a knight And will not any way dishonor me

Suf. Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say

Mar. Perhaps I shall be rescu'd by the French, And then I need not craue his curtesie

Suf. Sweet Madam, giue me hearing in a cause

Mar. Tush, women haue bene captiuate ere now

Suf. Lady, wherefore talke you so?

Mar. I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo

Suf. Say gentle Princesse, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a Queene?