Pucel.
Good morrow gallants, want ye corn for bread?
I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast,
Before he'll buy again at such a rate.
'Twas full of darnel; do you like the taste?

Burg.
Scoff on, vile fiend and shameless curtizan:
I trust ere long to choak thee with thine own,
And make thee curse the harvest of that corn.

Dau.
Your grace must starve perhaps before that time.

Bed.
Oh let not words but deeds revenge this treason.

Pucel.
What will you do, good grey beard? break a lance,
And run a tilt at death within a chair?

Tal.
Foul fiend of France and hag of all despight,
Incompass'd with thy lustful paramours,
Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age,
And twit with cowardise a man half dead?
Damsel I'll have a bout with you again,
Or else let Talbot perish with his shame.

Pucel.
Are you so hot? yet Pucelle hold thy peace,
If Talbot do but thunder, rain will follow. [They whisper together in counsel.
God speed the parliament; who shall be the speaker?

Tal.
Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field?

Pucel.
Belike your lordship takes us then for fools,
To try if that our own be ours or no.

Tal.
I speak not to that railing Hecate,
But unto thee Alanson, and the rest.
Will ye like soldiers come and fight it out?

Alan.
Seignior no.

Tal.
Seignior hang: base muleteers of France,
Like peasant foot-boys do they keep the walls,
And dare not take up arms like gentlemen.

Pucel.
Captains away, let's get us from the walls,
For Talbot means no goodness by his looks.
God be wi' you, my lord; we came Sir but to tell you
That we are here. [Exeunt from the walls.

Tal.
And there will we be too ere it be long,
Or else reproach be Talbot's greatest fame.
Vow Burgundy, by honour of thy house,
Prick'd on by publick wrongs sustain'd in France,
Either to get the town again or die.

And I as sure as English Henry lives,
And as his father here was conqueror,
As sure as in this late betrayed town
Great Cœurdelion's heart was buried;
So sure I swear to get the town or die.

Burg.
My vows are equal partners with thy vows.

Tal.
But ere we go, regard this dying Prince,
The valiant Duke of Bedford: come my lord,
We will bestow you in some better place,
Fitter for sickness and for crazy age.

Bed.
Lord Talbot do not so dishonour me:
Here I will sit before the walls of Roan,
And will be partner of your weal and woe.

Burg.
Couragious Bedford, let us now perswade you.

Bed.
Not to be gone from hence: for once I read,
That stout Pendragon in his litter sick
Came to the field and vanquished his foes.
Methinks I should revive the soldiers hearts,
Because I ever found them as my self.

Tal.
Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!
Then be it so: heav'ns keep old Bedford safe.
And now no more ado, brave Burgundy,
But gather we our forces out of hand,
And set upon our boasting enemy. [Exit. An alarm: excursions: † ^noteEnter Sir John Falstaff, and a captain.

Cap.
Whither away, Sir John Falstaff, in such haste?

Fal.
Whither away? to save my self by flight.
We are like to have the overthrow again.

Cap.
What! will you fly and leave lord Talbot?

Fal.
Ay, all the Talbots in the world to save my life. [Exit.

Cap.
Cowardly Knight, ill fortune follow thee. [Exit. Retreat: excursions. Pucelle, Alanson, and Dauphin fly.

Bed.
Now quiet soul depart when heav'n shall please,
For I have seen our enemies overthrow.
What is the trust or strength of foolish man?
They that of late were daring with their scoffs,
Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves. [Dies, and is carried off in his chair.

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