log out

Henry VI, Pt. 1: Act II, Scene 3

Henry VI, Pt. 1
Act II, Scene 3

Auvergne. Court of the Countess’s castle.

  1. Enter Countess of Auvergne and her Porter.

Countess of Auvergne

1 - 2
  1. Porter, remember what I gave in charge,
  2. And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.

Porter

3
  1. Madam, I will.
  1. Exit.

Countess of Auvergne

4 - 10
  1. The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
  2. I shall as famous be by this exploit
  3. As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus’ death.
  4. Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,
  5. And his achievements of no less account;
  6. Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
  7. To give their censure of these rare reports.
  1. Enter Messenger of the Countess and Talbot.

Messenger of the Countess

11 - 13
  1. Madam,
  2. According as your ladyship desir’d,
  3. By message crav’d, so is Lord Talbot come.

Countess of Auvergne

14
  1. And he is welcome. What? Is this the man?

Messenger of the Countess

15
  1. Madam, it is.

Countess of Auvergne

16 - 25
  1.               Is this the scourge of France?
  2. Is this the Talbot, so much fear’d abroad
  3. That with his name the mothers still their babes?
  4. I see report is fabulous and false.
  5. I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
  6. A second Hector, for his grim aspect
  7. And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
  8. Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
  9. It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
  10. Should strike such terror to his enemies.

Lord Talbot

26 - 28
  1. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;
  2. But since your ladyship is not at leisure,
  3. I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
  1. Going.

Countess of Auvergne

29
  1. What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.

Messenger of the Countess

30 - 31
  1. Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
  2. To know the cause of your abrupt departure.

Lord Talbot

32 - 33
  1. Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
  2. I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
  1. Enter Porter with keys.

Countess of Auvergne

34
  1. If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.

Lord Talbot

35
  1. Prisoner? To whom?

Countess of Auvergne

36 - 44
  1.                    To me, blood-thirsty lord;
  2. And for that cause I train’d thee to my house.
  3. Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
  4. For in my gallery thy picture hangs;
  5. But now the substance shall endure the like,
  6. And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
  7. That hast by tyranny these many years
  8. Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
  9. And sent our sons and husbands captivate.

Lord Talbot

45
  1. Ha, ha, ha!

Countess of Auvergne

46
  1. Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.

Lord Talbot

47 - 49
  1. I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
  2. To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow
  3. Whereon to practice your severity.

Countess of Auvergne

50
  1. Why? Art not thou the man?

Lord Talbot

51
  1.                            I am indeed.

Countess of Auvergne

52
  1. Then have I substance too.

Lord Talbot

53 - 59
  1. No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
  2. You are deceiv’d, my substance is not here;
  3. For what you see is but the smallest part
  4. And least proportion of humanity.
  5. I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
  6. It is of such a spacious lofty pitch,
  7. Your roof were not sufficient to contain’t.

Countess of Auvergne

60 - 62
  1. This is a riddling merchant for the nonce:
  2. He will be here, and yet he is not here.
  3. How can these contrarieties agree?

Lord Talbot

63 - 69
  1. That will I show you presently.
  2. Winds his horn. Drums strike up; a peal of ordinance.
  3. Enter Talbot’s Soldiers.
  4. How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
  5. That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
  6. These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
  7. With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
  8. Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns,
  9. And in a moment makes them desolate.

Countess of Auvergne

70 - 75
  1. Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
  2. I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
  3. And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
  4. Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
  5. For I am sorry that with reverence
  6. I did not entertain thee as thou art.

Lord Talbot

76 - 83
  1. Be not dismay’d, fair lady, nor misconster
  2. The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake
  3. The outward composition of his body.
  4. What you have done hath not offended me;
  5. Nor other satisfaction do I crave,
  6. But only, with your patience, that we may
  7. Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
  8. For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.

Countess of Auvergne

84 - 85
  1. With all my heart, and think me honored
  2. To feast so great a warrior in my house.
  1. Exeunt.
© 2021 Unotate.comcontactprivacy policyCreative Commons text from PlayShakespeare.comAll illustrations are public domain or Creative Commons