Page 262 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

To beat assailing death from his weak regions;
And whiles the honourable captain there
Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs
And, in advantage ling’ring, looks for rescue,
You, his false hopes, the trust of England’s honour, [20]
Keep off aloof with worthless emulation.
Let not your private discord keep away
The levied succours that should lend him aid,
While he, renownèd noble gentleman,
Yield up his life unto a world of odds. [25]
Orléans the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy,
Alençon, Reignier compass him about,
And Talbot perisheth by your default.

SOMERSET

York set him on: York should have sent him aid.

LUCY

And York as fast upon your grace exclaims, [30]
Swearing that you withhold his levied host
Collected for this expedition.

SOMERSET

York lies: he might have sent and had the horse.
I owe him little duty and less love,
And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending. [35]

LUCY

The fraud of England, not the force of France,
Hath now entrapped the noble-minded Talbot:
Never to England shall he bear his life,
But dies betrayed to fortune by your strife.

SOMERSET

Come, go; I will dispatch the horsemen straight: [40]
Within six hours they will be at his side.

LUCY

Too late comes rescue: he is ta’en or slain,
For fly he could not if he would have fled;