The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 5 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Tal._ The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner [aad027]
Call’d the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles; [aad028]
For him was I exchanged and ransomed. [aad029]
But with a baser man of arms by far ·aad030·
Once in contempt they would have barter’d me:
Which I disdaining scorn’d and craved death
Rather than I would be so vile-esteem’d. [aad033]
In fine, redeem’d I was as I desired.
But, O! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart, [aad035]
Whom with my bare fists I would execute,
If I now had him brought into my power.
_Sal._ Yet tell’st thou not how thou wert entertain’d.
_Tal._ With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts.
In open market-place produced they me, ·aad040·
To be a public spectacle to all:
Here, said they, is the terror of the French,
The scarecrow that affrights our children so. [aad043]
Then broke I from the officers that led me,
And with my nails digg’d stones out of the ground, ·aad045·
To hurl at the beholders of my shame:
My grisly countenance made others fly;
None durst come near for fear of sudden death.
In iron walls they deem’d me not secure;
So great fear of my name ’mongst them was spread [aad050]
That they supposed I could rend bars of steel
And spurn in pieces posts of adamant:
Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had
That walked about me every minute while; [aad054]
And if I did but stir out of my bed, ·aad055·
Ready they were to shoot me to the heart. [aad056]
_Enter the_ Boy _with a linstock_.
_Sal._ I grieve to hear what torments you endured,
But we will be revenged sufficiently.
Now it is supper-time in Orleans:
Here, through this grate, I count each one [aad060]
And view the Frenchmen how they fortify:
Let us look in; the sight will much delight thee.
Sir Thomas Gargrave, and Sir William Glansdale,
Let me have your express opinions
Where is best place to make our battery next. [aad065]
_Gar._ I think, at the north gate; for there stand lords. [aad066]
_Glan._ And I, here, at the bulwark of the bridge.
_Tal._ For aught I see, this city must be famish’d,
Or with light skirmishes enfeebled. [aad069]
[_Here they shoot. Salisbury and Gargrave fall._
_Sal._ O Lord, have mercy on us, wretched sinners! ·aad070·
_Gar._ O Lord, have mercy on me, woful man!
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