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And what a terror he had been to France.

But, lords, in all our bloody massacre,

I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace,

His new-come champion, virtuous Joan of Arc,

Nor any of his false confederates.

BEDFORD.

'Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began,

Rous'd on the sudden from their drowsy beds,

They did amongst the troops of armed men

Leap o'er the walls for refuge in the field.

BURGUNDY.

Myself, as far as I could well discern

For smoke and dusky vapors of the night,

Am sure I scared the Dauphin and his trull,

When arm in arm they both came swiftly running,

Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves

That could not live asunder day or night.

After that things are set in order here,

We'll follow them with all the power we have.

[Enter a Messenger.]

MESSENGER.

All hail, my lords! Which of this princely train

Call ye the warlike Talbot, for his acts

So much applauded through the realm of France?

TALBOT.

Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him?

MESSENGER.

The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne,

With modesty admiring thy renown,

By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe

To visit her poor castle where she lies,

That she may boast she hath beheld the man

Whose glory fills the world with loud report.

BURGUNDY.

Is it even so? Nay, then I see our wars

Will turn into a peaceful comic sport,

When ladies crave to be encount'red with.

You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit.

TALBOT.

Ne'er trust me then; for when a world of men

Could not prevail with all their oratory,

Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled:

And therefore tell her I return great thanks,

And in submission will attend on her.

Will not your honors bear me company?

BEDFORD.

No, truly; it is more than manners will:

And I have heard it said, unbidden guests

Are often welcomest when they are gone.

TALBOT.

Well then, alone, since there 's no remedy,

I mean to prove this lady's courtesy.

Come hither, Captain. [Whispers] You perceive my mind?

CAPTAIN.

I do, my lord, and mean accordingly.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III. Auvergne. The Countess's castle.

[Enter the Countess and her Porter.]

COUNTESS.

Porter, remember what I gave in charge;

And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.

PORTER.

Madam, I will.

[Exit.]

COUNTESS.

The plot is laid: if all things fall out right,

I shall as famous be by this exploit

As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death.

Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,

And his achievements of no less account:

Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears,

To give their censure of these rare reports.

[Enter Messenger and Talbot.]

MESSENGER.

Madam,

according as your ladyship desired,

By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.

COUNTESS.

And he is welcome. What! is this the man?

MESSENGER.

Madam, it is.

COUNTESS.

Is this the scourge of France?

Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad

That with his name the mothers still their babes?

I see report is fabulous and false:

I thought I should have seen some Hercules,

A second Hector, for his grim aspect,

And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.

Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!

It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp

Should strike such terror to his enemies.

TALBOT.

Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;

But since your ladyship is not at leisure,

I 'll sort some other time to visit you.

COUNTESS.

What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.

MESSENGER.

Stay, my Lord Talbot; for my lady craves

To know the cause of your abrupt departure.

TALBOT.

Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief,

I go to certify her Talbot's here.

[Re-enter Porter with keys.]

COUNTESS.

If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.

TALBOT.

Prisoner! to whom?

COUNTESS.

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