Act 5, Scene 3

Before Angiers.

[Alarum. Excursions. Enter La Pucelle.]
Joan la Pucelle
2230 The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.
2231 Now help, ye charming spells and periapts;
2232 And ye choice spirits that admonish me,
2233 And give me signs of future accidents.
[Thunder]
Joan la Pucelle
2234 You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
2235 Under the lordly monarch of the north,
2236 Appear and aid me in this enterprise.
[Enter Fiends.]
Joan la Pucelle
2237 This speedy and quick appearance argues proof
2238 Of your accustom'd diligence to me.
2239 Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd
2240 Out of the powerful regions under earth,
2241 Help me this once, that France may get the field.
[They walk and speak not.]
Joan la Pucelle
2242 O, hold me not with silence over-long!
2243 Where I was wont to feed you with my blood,
2244 I 'll lop a member off and give it you
2245 In earnest of a further benefit,
2246 So you do condescend to help me now.
[They hang their heads.]
Joan la Pucelle
2247 No hope to have redress? My body shall
2248 Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit.
[They shake their heads.]
Joan la Pucelle
2249 Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice
2250 Entreat you to your wonted furtherance?
2251 Then take my soul, my body, soul and all,
2252 Before that England give the French the foil.
[They depart.]
Joan la Pucelle
2253 See, they forsake me! Now the time is come
2254 That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest,
2255 And let her head fall into England's lap.
2256 My ancient incantations are too weak,
2257 And hell too strong for me to buckle with:
2258 Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.
[Exit.]
[Excursions. Re-enter La Pucelle fighting hand to hand with York: La Pucelle is taken. The French fly.]
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York
2259 Damsel of France, I think I have you fast:
2260 Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms,
2261 And try if they can gain your liberty.
2262 A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace!
2263 See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows,
2264 As if with Circe she would change my shape!
Joan la Pucelle
2265 Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be.
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York
2266 O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;
2267 No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
Joan la Pucelle
2268 A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!
2269 And may ye both be suddenly surprised
2270 By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York
2271 Fell banning hag; enchantress, hold thy tongue!
Joan la Pucelle
2272 I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile.
Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York
2273 Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake.
[Exeunt.]
[Alarum. Enter Suffolk, with Margaret in his hand.]
Earl of Suffolk
2274 Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
[Gazes on her.]
Earl of Suffolk
2275 O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly!
2276 For I will touch thee but with reverent hands;
2277 I kiss these fingers for eternal peace,
2278 And lay them gently on thy tender side.
2279 Who art thou? say, that I may honor thee.
Margaret of Anjou
2280 Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,
2281 The King of Naples, whosoe'er thou art.
Earl of Suffolk
2282 An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd.
2283 Be not offended, nature's miracle,
2284 Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me.
2285 So doth the swan her downy cygnets save,
2286 Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings.
2287 Yet, if this servile usage once offend,
2288 Go and be free again as Suffolk's friend.
[She is going.]
Earl of Suffolk
2289 O, stay! I have no power to let her pass;
2290 My hand would free her, but my heart says no.
2291 As plays the sun upon the glassy streams,
2292 Twinkling another counterfeited beam,
2293 So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes.
2294 Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak:
2295 I'll call for pen and ink, and write my mind.
2296 Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself;
2297 Hast not a tongue? is she not here?
2298 Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight?
2299 Aye, beauty's princely majesty is such,
2300 Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.
Margaret of Anjou
2301 Say, Earl of Suffolk,—if thy name be so—
2302 What ransom must I pay before I pass?
2303 For I perceive I am thy prisoner.
Earl of Suffolk
2304 How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit,
2305 Before thou make a trial of her love?
Margaret of Anjou
2306 Why speak'st thou not? what ransom must I pay?
Earl of Suffolk
2307 She's beautiful and therefore to be woo'd;
2308 She is a woman, therefore to be won.
Margaret of Anjou
2309 Wilt thou accept of ransom? yea, or no.
Earl of Suffolk
2310 Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife;
2311 Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?
Margaret of Anjou
2312 I were best leave him, for he will not hear.
Earl of Suffolk
2313 There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card.
Margaret of Anjou
2314 He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
Earl of Suffolk
2315 And yet a dispensation may be had.
Margaret of Anjou
2316 And yet I would that you would answer me.
Earl of Suffolk
2317 I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
2318 Why, for my king; tush, that 's a wooden thing!
Margaret of Anjou
2319 He talks of wood: it is some carpenter.
Earl of Suffolk
2320 Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,
2321 And peace established between these realms.
2322 But there remains a scruple in that too;
2323 For though her father be the King of Naples,
2324 Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor,
2325 And our nobility will scorn the match.
Margaret of Anjou
2326 Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?
Earl of Suffolk
2327 It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much:
2328 Henry is youthful and will quickly yield.
2329 Madam, I have a secret to reveal.
Margaret of Anjou
2330 What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a knight,
2331 And will not any way dishonor me.
Earl of Suffolk
2332 Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
Margaret of Anjou
2333 Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French;
2334 And then I need not crave his courtesy.
Earl of Suffolk
2335 Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause—
Margaret of Anjou
2336 Tush! women have been captivate ere now.
Earl of Suffolk
2337 Lady, wherefore talk you so?
Margaret of Anjou
2338 I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo.
Earl of Suffolk
2339 Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose
2340 Your bondage happy, to be made a queen?
Margaret of Anjou
2341 To be a queen in bondage is more vile
2342 Than is a slave in base servility;
2343 For princes should be free.
Earl of Suffolk
2344 And so shall you,
2345 If happy England's royal king be free.
Margaret of Anjou
2346 Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
Earl of Suffolk
2347 I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen,
2348 To put a golden scepter in thy hand
2349 And set a precious crown upon thy head,
2350 If thou wilt condescend to be my—
Margaret of Anjou
2351 What?
Earl of Suffolk
2352 His love.
Margaret of Anjou
2353 I am unworthy to be Henry's wife.
Earl of Suffolk
2354 No, gentle madam; I unworthy am
2355 To woo so fair a dame to be his wife,
2356 And have no portion in the choice myself.
2357 How say you, madam, are ye so content?
Margaret of Anjou
2358 An if my father please, I am content.
Earl of Suffolk
2359 Then call our captain and our colors forth.
2360 And, madam, at your father's castle walls
2361 We'll crave a parley, to confer with him.
[A parley sounded. Enter Reignier on the walls.]
Earl of Suffolk
2362 See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner!
Earl of Suffolk
2363 REIGNIER. To whom?
Earl of Suffolk
2364 To me.
Reignier, Duke of Anjou
2365 Suffolk, what remedy?
2366 I am a soldier, and unapt to weep,
2367 Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.
Earl of Suffolk
2368 Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:
2369 Consent, and for thy honor give consent,
2370 Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king;
2371 Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto;
2372 And this her easy-held imprisonment
2373 Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty.
Reignier, Duke of Anjou
2374 Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
Earl of Suffolk
2375 Fair Margaret knows
2376 That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.
Reignier, Duke of Anjou
2377 Upon thy princely warrant, I descend
2378 To give thee answer of thy just demand.
[Exit from the walls.]
Earl of Suffolk
2379 And here I will expect thy coming.
[Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below.]
Reignier, Duke of Anjou
2380 Welcome, brave earl, into our territories:
2381 Command in Anjou what your honor pleases.
Earl of Suffolk
2382 Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,
2383 Fit to be made companion with a king:
2384 What answer makes your grace unto my suit?
Reignier, Duke of Anjou
2385 Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
2386 To be the princely bride of such a lord;
2387 Upon condition I may quietly
2388 Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou,
2389 Free from oppression or the stroke of war,
2390 My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please.
Earl of Suffolk
2391 That is her ransom; I deliver her;
2392 And those two counties I will undertake
2393 Your Grace shall well and quietly enjoy.
Reignier, Duke of Anjou
2394 And I again, in Henry's royal name,
2395 As deputy unto that gracious king,
2396 Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.
Earl of Suffolk
2397 Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,
2398 Because this is in traffic of a king.
[Aside]
Earl of Suffolk
2399 And yet, methinks, I could be well content
2400 To be mine own attorney in this case.
2401 I 'll over then to England with this news,
2402 And make this marriage to be solemnized.
2403 So, farewell, Reignier; set this diamond safe
2404 In golden palaces, as it becomes.
Reignier, Duke of Anjou
2405 I do embrace thee as I would embrace
2406 The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.
Margaret of Anjou
2407 Farewell, my lord: good wishes, praise and prayers.
2408 Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret.
[Going.]
Earl of Suffolk
2409 Farewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret;
2410 No princely commendations to my king?
Margaret of Anjou
2411 Such commendations as becomes a maid,
2412 A virgin and his servant, say to him.
Earl of Suffolk
2413 Words sweetly placed and modestly directed.
2414 But, madam, I must trouble you again;
2415 No loving token to his majesty?
Margaret of Anjou
2416 Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart,
2417 Never yet taint with love, I send the king.
Earl of Suffolk
2418 And this withal.
[Kisses her.]
Margaret of Anjou
2419 That for thyself: I will not so presume
2420 To send such peevish tokens to a king.
[Exeunt Reignier and Margaret.]
Margaret of Anjou
2421 SUFFOLK. O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay;
2422 Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth;
2423 There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
2424 Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise:
2425 Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
2426 And natural graces that extinguish art;
2427 Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
2428 That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry's feet,
2429 Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.
[Exit.]

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Word definitions on hover

Notes

TLN 2231archaic vocab
“charming spells and periapts”
'Charming spells' are magical incantations (from Latin carmen, a song or verse); 'periapts' are amulets or charms worn on the body to ward off evil or to invoke supernatural power. Joan is calling on both spoken magic and physical talismans as she faces defeat.
TLN 2235historical topical
“lordly monarch of the north”
The 'monarch of the north' is Satan. In Elizabethan demonology the north was the devil's own quarter — the cold, sunless direction associated with darkness and death, traditionally where Lucifer held his court. Joan identifies her familiar spirits as devils under Satan's lordship.
historical Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc)
TLN 2239historical topical
“familiar spirits, that are cull'd”
A 'familiar spirit' (or familiar) was a demon believed to serve a witch, often appearing as an animal — a cat, toad, or bird — but here Joan summons them as visibly human-shaped fiends. 'Culled' means chosen and drawn out. Keeping a familiar was a defining mark of witchcraft in English law and trial practice.
historical Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc)
TLN 2243historical topical
“feed you with my blood”
Joan's offer to 'feed' her spirits with blood, and then to 'lop a member off' (cut off a limb) as an advance payment for their help, enacts the standard Elizabethan belief that witches nourished their familiars by letting them suck blood from a 'teat' or secret mark on their body. 'In earnest of' means as a down payment or pledge toward.
TLN 2252archaic vocab
“England give the French the foil”
'To give the foil' means to defeat or overthrow an opponent — from fencing, where a foil-stroke knocks an opponent down. Joan is saying she would sacrifice everything rather than see England defeat France.
TLN 2254archaic vocab
“France must vail her lofty-plumed crest”
'Vail' means to lower or let fall — specifically, to lower a flag or a helmet's crest in token of submission. A 'plumed crest' is the feathered plume on top of a knight's helmet, a symbol of pride and power. France, Joan says, must bow her head in defeat like a knight yielding on the field.
TLN 2264classical allusion
“with Circe she would change my shape”
Circe was a witch-goddess of Greek mythology who turned men into animals — most famously the crew of Odysseus, whom she transformed into pigs. York taunts Joan that she is glaring at him as though she could transform him through witchcraft, just as Circe did her victims.
TLN 2273historical topical
“when thou comest to the stake”
Burning at the stake was the prescribed execution for heresy and witchcraft in medieval and early modern Europe. York's retort to Joan — 'curse when you get to the stake' — is both a taunt and a preview: the audience knows Joan will be burned as a witch and heretic, as the historical Joan of Arc was, at Rouen in 1431.
historical Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc)
TLN 2283rhetorical device
“Be not offended, nature's miracle”
'Nature's miracle' is a hyperbolic compliment — Suffolk is calling Margaret a wonder that nature has produced beyond the ordinary run of beauty. The phrase is an example of the Elizabethan blazon convention, the catalogue-praise of a woman's perfections, here compressed into one extravagant epithet.
TLN 2291rhetorical device
“As plays the sun upon the glassy streams”
Suffolk compares Margaret's beauty to the sun reflected on glassy (mirror-smooth) water: as the sun produces a second, 'counterfeited' (copied) image on the water's surface, so Margaret's beauty appears to his eyes as something almost too dazzling to be real. 'Counterfeited' here means imitated or reflected — not forged in the negative sense.
TLN 2296historical topical
“Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself”
Suffolk's family name was de la Pole — he was William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk. He rebukes himself by his family name as if talking to another person, a form of self-address meant to snap himself back to resolve. 'Disable' means to disparage or belittle oneself.
TLN 2313archaic vocab
“there lies a cooling card”
A 'cooling card' was a card-game term for a card that crushes your opponent's high hopes — the card that 'cools' their confidence and ruins their hand. Suffolk means his marriage is the obstacle that dashes his romantic plans for Margaret. The phrase passed into general use for anything that deflates enthusiasm.
TLN 2318wordplay
“for my king; tush, that 's a wooden thing”
'Wooden thing' means a dull, insensible, stupid matter — 'wooden' in Elizabethan English could mean blockish or inert, like dead wood. Suffolk dismisses the idea of winning Margaret for the king (rather than himself) as a lifeless, unsatisfying proposition. Margaret mishears it literally and jokes 'He talks of wood: it is some carpenter.'
TLN 2338archaic vocab
“I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo”
'I cry you mercy' means 'I beg your pardon' (a polite apology). 'Quid for quo' is a corrupted or colloquial form of the Latin legal phrase quid pro quo — 'something for something,' an equal exchange. Margaret is wryly saying: she understands the situation now — she is a prisoner and he wants something from her in return for her freedom, so this is just a transaction.
TLN 2367classical allusion
“exclaim on fortune's fickleness”
Reignier invokes Fortune — the classical goddess who blindly turns her wheel, raising the lowly and casting down the great — as the explanation for his daughter's capture. He says, as a soldier, he is not the type to weep or blame Fortune for reversals; he takes the turn of the wheel stoically.
classical Fortune and her wheel
TLN 2385historical topical
“deign to woo her little worth”
Reignier's formal self-deprecation — calling his daughter of 'little worth' — is a social convention, not sincerity. He then states his actual price: peaceful enjoyment of his own lands, Maine and Anjou, free from English military pressure. This 'ransom' is what Suffolk agrees to — a private deal in which two French provinces are ceded back to France as the price of the marriage, a bargain England's nobles will furiously oppose in 2 Henry VI.
historical The Wars of the Roses
TLN 2422classical allusion
“Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth; / There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk”
The labyrinth was the maze built on Crete to imprison the Minotaur — a monster, half-man and half-bull, who devoured the youths sent into it. Suffolk warns himself that pursuing Margaret for himself (rather than for the king) would be entering a labyrinth of political treachery and personal ruin. The Minotaur becomes a metaphor for the dangers — treason, betrayal — lurking in that course of action.