Henry VI, Part I by William Shakespeare

Act 2 - Scene 2

Orleans. Within the town.

Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury : Bring forth the body of old Salisbury, [p]And here advance it in the
market-place, [p]The middle centre of this cursed town. [p]Now have I
paid my vow unto his soul; [p]For every drop of blood was drawn from
him, [p]There hath at least five Frenchmen died tonight. [p]And that
hereafter ages may behold [p]What ruin happen'd in revenge of
him, [p]Within their chiefest temple I'll erect [p]A tomb, wherein his
corpse shall be interr'd: [p]Upon the which, that every one may
read, [p]Shall be engraved the sack of Orleans, [p]The treacherous
manner of his mournful death [p]And what a terror he had been to
France. [p]But, lords, in all our bloody massacre, [p]I muse we met
not with the Dauphin's grace, [p]His new-come champion, virtuous Joan
of Arc, [p]Nor any of his false confederates.

Messenger : All hail, my lords! which of this princely train [p]Call ye the
warlike Talbot, for his acts [p]So much applauded through the realm of
France?

Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury : Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him?

Messenger : The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne, [p]With modesty admiring thy
renown, [p]By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe [p]To
visit her poor castle where she lies, [p]That she may boast she hath
beheld the man [p]Whose glory fills the world with loud report.

Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury : Ne'er trust me then; for when a world of men [p]Could not prevail with
all their oratory, [p]Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled: [p]And
therefore tell her I return great thanks, [p]And in submission will
attend on her. [p]Will not your honours bear me company?

Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury : Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, [p]I mean to prove this
lady's courtesy. [p]Come hither, captain. [p][Whispers] [p]You
perceive my mind?

Captain : I do, my lord, and mean accordingly.

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