Page 205 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet.

They fight again.

PUCELLE

Talbot, farewell, thy hour is not yet come;
I must go victual Orléans forthwith.

A short alarum, then [she pauses before entering] the town with
Soldiers.

O’ertake me if thou canst: I scorn thy strength. [15]
Go, go, cheer up thy hunger-starvèd men;
Help Salisbury to make his testament.
This day is ours, as many more shall be.

Exit.

T ALBOT

My thoughts are whirlèd like a potter’s wheel;
I know not where I am nor what I do. [20]
A witch by fear, not force, like Hannibal,
Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists:
So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench
Are from their hives and houses driven away.
They called us, for our fierceness, English dogs; [25]
Now like to whelps we crying run away.

A short alarum.
[Shouts]

Hark, countrymen: either renew the fight,
Or tear the lions out of England’s coat.
Renounce your soil, give sheep in lions’ stead:
Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf, [30]
Or horse or oxen from the leopard,
As you fly from your oft-subduèd slaves.

Alarum. Here [enter Soldiers to] another skirmish.
It will not be: retire into your trenches;
You all consented unto Salisbury’s death
For none would strike a stroke in his revenge. [35]
Pucelle is entered into Orléans
In spite of us or aught that we could do.

[Exeunt Soldiers.]
O, would I were to die with Salisbury!
The shame hereof will make me hide my head.

Exit. Alarum. Retreat.