The First Part Of Henry The Sixth

1 Enter the Countess and her Porter.
2 COUNTESS.
3 Porter, remember what I gave in charge;
4 And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
5 PORTER.
6 Madam, I will.
7 [_Exit._]
8 COUNTESS.
9 The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
10 I shall as famous be by this exploit
11 As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus’ death.
12 Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight,
13 And his achievements of no less account.
14 Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears,
15 To give their censure of these rare reports.
16 Enter Messenger and Talbot.
17 MESSENGER.
18 Madam, according as your ladyship desired,
19 By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
20 COUNTESS.
21 And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
22 MESSENGER.
23 Madam, it is.
24 COUNTESS.
25 Is this the scourge of France?
26 Is this the Talbot, so much fear’d abroad
27 That with his name the mothers still their babes?
28 I see report is fabulous and false.
29 I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
30 A second Hector, for his grim aspect,
31 And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
32 Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
33 It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
34 Should strike such terror to his enemies.
35 TALBOT.
36 Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;
37 But since your ladyship is not at leisure,
38 I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
39 COUNTESS.
40 What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.
41 MESSENGER.
42 Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
43 To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
44 TALBOT.
45 Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
46 I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
47 Enter Porter with keys.
48 COUNTESS.
49 If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.
50 TALBOT.
51 Prisoner! To whom?
52 COUNTESS.
53 To me, blood-thirsty lord;
54 And for that cause I train’d thee to my house.
55 Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
56 For in my gallery thy picture hangs.
57 But now the substance shall endure the like,
58 And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
59 That hast by tyranny these many years
60 Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
61 And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
62 TALBOT.
63 Ha, ha, ha!
64 COUNTESS.
65 Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.
66 TALBOT.
67 I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
68 To think that you have aught but Talbot’s shadow
69 Whereon to practice your severity.
70 COUNTESS.
71 Why, art not thou the man?
72 TALBOT.
73 I am indeed.
74 COUNTESS.
75 Then have I substance too.
76 TALBOT.
77 No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
78 You are deceived, my substance is not here;
79 For what you see is but the smallest part
80 And least proportion of humanity.
81 I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
82 It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
83 Your roof were not sufficient to contain ’t.
84 COUNTESS.
85 This is a riddling merchant for the nonce;
86 He will be here, and yet he is not here.
87 How can these contrarieties agree?
88 TALBOT.
89 That will I show you presently.
90 Winds his horn. Drums strike up; a peal of ordnance. Enter Soldiers.
91 How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
92 That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
93 These are his substance, sinews, arms and strength,
94 With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
95 Razeth your cities and subverts your towns,
96 And in a moment makes them desolate.
97 COUNTESS.
98 Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
99 I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
100 And more than may be gather’d by thy shape.
101 Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
102 For I am sorry that with reverence
103 I did not entertain thee as thou art.
104 TALBOT.
105 Be not dismay’d, fair lady, nor misconster
106 The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake
107 The outward composition of his body.
108 What you have done hath not offended me;
109 Nor other satisfaction do I crave
110 But only, with your patience, that we may
111 Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
112 For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.
113 COUNTESS.
114 With all my heart, and think me honoured
115 To feast so great a warrior in my house.
116 [_Exeunt._]