Page 186 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Of England’s coat one half is cut away.

[Exit.]

EXET ER

Were our tears wanting to this funeral,
These tidings would call forth her flowing tides.

BEDFORD

Me they concern; regent I am of France.
Give me my steelèd coat, I’ll fight for France. [85]
Away with these disgraceful wailing robes!

[He removes his mourning cloak]
Wounds will I lend the French, instead of eyes,
To weep their intermissive miseries.

Enter to them another Messenger.

SECOND MESSENGER

Lords, view these letters, full of bad mischance.
France is revolted from the English quite, [90]
Except some petty towns of no import;
The Dauphin Charles is crownèd king in Rheims;
The Bastard of Orléans with him is joined;
Reignier, Duke of Anjou, doth take his part;
The Duke of Alençon flieth to his side. [95]

Exit.

EXET ER

The dauphin crownèd king? All fly to him?
O whither shall we fly from this reproach?

GLOUCEST ER

We will not fly but to our enemies’ throats.
Bedford, if thou be slack, I’ll fight it out.

BEDFORD

Gloucester, why doubt’st thou of my forwardness? [100]
An army have I mustered in my thoughts,
Wherewith already France is overrun.