Shakespeare Portal

Act 3, Scene 4

Paris. The palace.

  1. [Enter the King, Gloucester, Bishop of Winchester, York, Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Exeter: Vernon, Basset, and others. To them with his soldiers, Talbot.]
  2. Lord Talbot
  3. 1541 My gracious Prince, and honourable peers,
  4. 1542 Hearing of your arrival in this realm,
  5. 1543 I have awhile given truce unto my wars,
  6. 1544 To do my duty to my sovereign:
  7. 1545 In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaim'd
  8. 1546 To your obedience fifty fortresses,
  9. 1547 Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength,
  10. 1548 Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem,
  11. 1549 Lets fall his sword before your highness' feet,
  12. 1550 And with submissive loyalty of heart
  13. 1551 Ascribes the glory of his conquest got
  14. 1552 First to my God and next unto your grace.
  15. [Kneels.]
  16. King Henry VI
  17. 1553 Is this the Lord Talbot, uncle Gloucester,
  18. 1554 That hath so long been resident in France?
  19. Duke of Gloucester
  20. 1555 Yes, if it please your majesty, my liege.
  21. King Henry VI
  22. 1556 Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord!
  23. 1557 When I was young, as yet I am not old.
  24. 1558 I do remember how my father said
  25. 1559 A stouter champion never handled sword.
  26. 1560 Long since we were resolved of your truth,
  27. 1561 Your faithful service and your toil in war;
  28. 1562 Yet never have you tasted our reward,
  29. 1563 Or been reguerdon'd with so much as thanks.
  30. 1564 Because till now we never saw your face:
  31. 1565 Therefore, stand up: and for these good deserts,
  32. 1566 We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury;
  33. 1567 And in our coronation take your place.
  34. [Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Vernon and Basset.]
  35. Vernon
  36. 1568 Now, sir, to you, that were so hot at sea,
  37. 1569 Disgracing of these colors that I wear
  38. 1570 In honor of my noble Lord of York:—
  39. 1571 Dar'st thou maintain the former words thou spakest?
  40. Basset
  41. 1572 Yes, sir; as well as you dare patronage
  42. 1573 The envious barking of your saucy tongue
  43. 1574 Against my lord the Duke of Somerset.
  44. Vernon
  45. 1575 Sirrah, thy lord I honor as he is.
  46. Basset
  47. 1576 Why, what is he? as good a man as York.
  48. Vernon
  49. 1577 Hark ye; not so: in witness, take ye that.
  50. [Strikes him.]
  51. Basset
  52. 1578 Villain, thou know'st the law of arms is such
  53. 1579 That whoso draws a sword, 'tis present death,
  54. 1580 Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood.
  55. 1581 But I 'll unto his majesty, and crave
  56. 1582 I may have liberty to venge this wrong;
  57. 1583 When thou shalt see I 'll meet thee to thy cost.
  58. Vernon
  59. 1584 Well, miscreant, I 'll be there as soon as you;
  60. 1585 And, after, meet you sooner than you would.
  61. [Exeunt.]