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
_Suf._ Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,
Because this is in traffic of a king.
[_Aside_] And yet, methinks, I could be well content [aec165]
To be mine own attorney in this case.
I’ll over then to England with this news,
And make this marriage to be solemnized.
So farewell, Reignier: set this diamond safe
In golden palaces, as it becomes. ·aec170·
_Reig._ I do embrace thee, as I would embrace
The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here. [aec172]
_Mar._ Farewell, my lord: good wishes, praise and prayers
Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [_Going._ [aec174]
_Suf._ Farewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret; [aec175]
No princely commendations to my king?
_Mar._ Such commendations as becomes a maid, [aec177]
A virgin and his servant, say to him.
_Suf._ Words sweetly placed and modestly directed. [aec179]
But, madam, I must trouble you again; ·aec180·
No loving token to his majesty?
_Mar._ Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart,
Never yet taint with love, I send the king.
_Suf._ And this withal. [_Kisses her._ [aec184]
_Mar._ That for thyself: I will not so presume [aec185]
To send such peevish tokens to a king. [aec186]
[_Exeunt Reignier and Margaret._
_Suf._ O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay;
Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth;
There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise: ·aec190·
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
And natural graces that extinguish art; [aec192]
Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry’s feet,
Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder. [_Exit._ [aec195]
SCENE IV. _Camp of the_ DUKE OF YORK _in Anjou_.
_Enter_ YORK, WARWICK, _and others_.
_York._ Bring forth that sorceress condemn’d to burn. [aed001]
_Enter_ LA PUCELLE, _guarded, and a_ Shepherd.
_Shep._ Ah, Joan, this kills thy father’s heart outright!
Have I sought every country far and near,
And, now it is my chance to find thee out,
Must I behold thy timeless cruel death? [aed005]
Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I’ll die with thee! [aed006]
_Puc._ Decrepit miser! base ignoble wretch!
I am descended of a gentler blood:
Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.
_Shep._ Out, out! My lords, an please you, ’tis not so; [aed010]
I did beget her, all the parish knows:
Her mother liveth yet, can testify
She was the first fruit of my bachelorship. [aed013]
_War._ Graceless! wilt thou deny thy parentage?
_York._ This argues what her kind of life hath been, ·aed015·
Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
_Shep._ Fie, Joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle! [aed017]
God knows thou art a collop of my flesh;
And for thy sake have I shed many a tear:
Deny me not, I prithee, gentle Joan. [aed020]
_Puc._ Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn’d this man,
Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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