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History of Henry VI, Part I

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Act IV, Scene 6

A field of battle.

       
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[Alarum: excursions, wherein JOHN TALBOT is] [p]hemmed about, and TALBOT rescues him]

  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. Saint George and victory! fight, soldiers, fight.
    The regent hath with Talbot broke his word
    And left us to the rage of France his sword. 2195
    Where is John Talbot? Pause, and take thy breath;
    I gave thee life and rescued thee from death.
  • John Talbot. O, twice my father, twice am I thy son!
    The life thou gavest me first was lost and done,
    Till with thy warlike sword, despite of late, 2200
    To my determined time thou gavest new date.
  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. When from the Dauphin's crest thy sword struck fire,
    It warm'd thy father's heart with proud desire
    Of bold-faced victory. Then leaden age,
    Quicken'd with youthful spleen and warlike rage, 2205
    Beat down Alencon, Orleans, Burgundy,
    And from the pride of Gallia rescued thee.
    The ireful bastard Orleans, that drew blood
    From thee, my boy, and had the maidenhood
    Of thy first fight, I soon encountered, 2210
    And interchanging blows I quickly shed
    Some of his bastard blood; and in disgrace
    Bespoke him thus; 'Contaminated, base
    And misbegotten blood I spill of thine,
    Mean and right poor, for that pure blood of mine 2215
    Which thou didst force from Talbot, my brave boy:'
    Here, purposing the Bastard to destroy,
    Came in strong rescue. Speak, thy father's care,
    Art thou not weary, John? how dost thou fare?
    Wilt thou yet leave the battle, boy, and fly, 2220
    Now thou art seal'd the son of chivalry?
    Fly, to revenge my death when I am dead:
    The help of one stands me in little stead.
    O, too much folly is it, well I wot,
    To hazard all our lives in one small boat! 2225
    If I to-day die not with Frenchmen's rage,
    To-morrow I shall die with mickle age:
    By me they nothing gain an if I stay;
    'Tis but the shortening of my life one day:
    In thee thy mother dies, our household's name, 2230
    My death's revenge, thy youth, and England's fame:
    All these and more we hazard by thy stay;
    All these are saved if thou wilt fly away.
  • John Talbot. The sword of Orleans hath not made me smart;
    These words of yours draw life-blood from my heart: 2235
    On that advantage, bought with such a shame,
    To save a paltry life and slay bright fame,
    Before young Talbot from old Talbot fly,
    The coward horse that bears me fail and die!
    And like me to the peasant boys of France, 2240
    To be shame's scorn and subject of mischance!
    Surely, by all the glory you have won,
    An if I fly, I am not Talbot's son:
    Then talk no more of flight, it is no boot;
    If son to Talbot, die at Talbot's foot. 2245
  • Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. Then follow thou thy desperate sire of Crete,
    Thou Icarus; thy life to me is sweet:
    If thou wilt fight, fight by thy father's side;
    And, commendable proved, let's die in pride.

[Exeunt]