That she may boast, she hath beheld the man Bur. Is it even so? Nay, then, I see, our wars Will turn unto a peaceful comick sport, You may not, my Lord, despise her gentle suit. of men Could not prevail with all their oratory, And I have heard it said, - Unbidden guests Are often welcomest when they are gone. Tal. Well then, alone, since there's no remedy, I mean to prove this lady's courtesy. Come hither, Captain. [Whispers.] - You perceive my mind. Capt. I do, my Lord; and mean accordingly. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Auvergne. Court of the Castle. Enter the Countess and her Porter. Count. Porter, remember what I gave in charge; And, when you have done so, bring the keys to me. Port. Madam, I will. [Exit. Count. The plot is laid: if all things fall ont right, I shall as famous be by this exploit, Enter Messenger and TALBOT. Mess. Madam, According as your Ladyship desir'd, Count. And he is welcome. What! is this the Mess. Madam, it is. man ? Count. Is this the scourge of France? I thought, I should have seen some Hercules, Tal. Madam, I have been bold to trouble you: Count. What means he now? Go ask him, whither he goes. Mess. Stay, my Lord Talhot; for my Lady craves To know the cause of your abrupt departure. Tal. Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief, I go to certify her, Talbot's here. L Re-enter Porter, with keys. Count. If thou be he, then art thou prisoner. Tal. Prisoner! to whom? Count. To me, blood-thirsty Lord; And for that cause I train'd thee to my house. Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me. For in my gallery thy picture hangs: But now the substance shall endure the like; And I will chain these legs and arms of thine, That hast by tyranny, these many years, Wasted our country, slain our citizens, And sent our sons and husbands captivate. Tal. Ha, ha, ha! Count. Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan. Tal. I laugh to see your Ladyship só fond, To think that you have aught but Talbots shadow, Whereon to practice your severity. Count. Why, art not thou the man? Count. Then have I substance too. Tal. No, no, I am but shadow of myself: You are deceiv'd, my substance is not here; For what you see, is but the smallest part And least proportion of humanity: I tell you, Madam, were the whole frame here, Count. This is a riddling merchant for the nonce; He will be here, and yet he is not here: Tal. That will I show you presently. He winds a horn. Drums heard; then a peal of ordnance. The gates being forced, enter Sokliers. How say you, Madam? are you now persuaded, strength, Count. Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse: I find, thou art no less than fame hath braited, And more than may be gather'd by thy shape. Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath; For I am sorry, that with reverence I did not entertain thee as thou art. Tal. Be not dismay'd, fair Lady; nov mis construe The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake have; For soldiers' stomachs always serve them well. Count. With all my heart; and think me honoured To feast so great a warrior in my house. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. London. The Temple Garden. Enter the Earls of SOMERSET, SUFFOLK, and WARWICK; RICHARD, PLANTAGENET, VERNON, and another Lawyer, Plan. Great Lords, and Gentlemen, what 1 means this silence? Dare no man answer in a case of truth? Suf. Within the Temple hall we were too loud; The garden here is more convenient. Plan. Then say at once, If I maintain'd the truth; Or, else, was wrangling Somerset in the error? between us. War. Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch, Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth, Between two blades, which bears the better temper, Between two horses, which doth bear him best, Between two girls, which hath the merriest eye, I have, perhaps, some shallow spirit of judge ment: But in these nice sharp quillets of the law, Plan. Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance : The truth appears so naked on my side, |