Henry VI, Part 1
Shakescleare Translation

Henry VI, Part 1 Translation Act 1, Scene 5

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Here an alarum again: and TALBOT pursueth the DAUPHIN, and driveth him: then enter JOAN LA PUCELLE, driving Englishmen before her, and exit after them then re-enter TALBOT

TALBOT

Where is my strength, my valour, and my force?Our English troops retire, I cannot stay them:A woman clad in armour chaseth them.

TALBOT

Where is my strength, my courage and my spirit? Our English troops are leaving, I can't make them stay. A woman dressed in armor is chasing them away. 

Re-enter JOAN LA PUCELLE

TALBOT

Here, here she comes. I'll have a bout with thee; Devil or devil's dam, I'll conjure thee: Blood will I draw on thee, thou art a witch, And straightway give thy soul to him thou servest.

TALBOT

Here she comes. I'll fight with you. Be you devil or devil's mother, I'll defeat you. I will draw blood from you, you are a witch and will give your soul to whoever it is you serve. 

JOAN LA PUCELLE

Come, come, 'tis only I that must disgrace thee.

JOAN LA PUCELLE

Come, come, it is only me that must shame you!

Here they fight

TALBOT

Heavens, can you suffer hell so to prevail? My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder. But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet.

TALBOT

Heavens, how can you let hell win? My chest will burst from straining my courage and my arms will crack in two from my shoulders. But I will punish this noble-minded whore.

They fight again

JOAN LA PUCELLE

Talbot, farewell; thy hour is not yet come:I must go victual Orleans forthwith.

JOAN LA PUCELLE

Goodbye, Talbot. Your hour hasn't come yet. I must go to Orleans at once to supply them with provisions. 

A short alarum; then enter the town with soldiers

JOAN LA PUCELLE

O'ertake me, if thou canst; I scorn thy strength. Go, go, cheer up thy hungry-starved men; Help Salisbury to make his testament: This day is ours, as many more shall be.

JOAN LA PUCELLE

Catch up with me if you can, I laugh at your "strength." Go, go! Cheer up your hungry men, help Salisbury give his final statement. This victory is ours and many more will be too!

Exit

TALBOT

My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am, nor what I do; A witch, by fear, not force, like Hannibal, Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists: So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench Are from their hives and houses driven away. They call'd us for our fierceness English dogs; Now, like to whelps, we crying run away.

TALBOT

My thoughts are spinning like the wheel of a potter. I don't know where I am or what I'm doing. A witch, using fear and not force like Hannibal, drives back our troops and she conquers as she pleases. We are like bees being driven away from their hives with smoke, or doves with disgusting stink from their houses. They called us English dogs because of our fierceness. Now, like puppies we are running away, crying. 

A short alarum

TALBOT

Hark, countrymen! either renew the fight, Or tear the lions out of England's coat; Renounce your soil, give sheep in lions' stead: Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf, Or horse or oxen from the leopard, As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves.

TALBOT

Listen, countrymen! Either carry on fighting or tear the lions out of England's coat of arms, give up your land, provide sheep in their place. But even sheep don't run half as cowardly from the wolf, or horse, or oxen from the leopard, as you now run from slaves that you have frequently overcome in the past. 

Alarum. Here another skirmish

TALBOT

It will not be: retire into your trenches: You all consented unto Salisbury's death, For none would strike a stroke in his revenge. Pucelle is enter'd into Orleans, In spite of us or aught that we could do. O, would I were to die with Salisbury! The shame hereof will make me hide my head.

TALBOT

This is not how it will be. Go back to your trenches. You all allowed Salisbury to die because none of you would fight to revenge him. Pucelle has entered Orleans, in spite of us or our best efforts. Oh, if only I could have died with Salisbury! This shame will make me hide my face. 

Exit TALBOT. Alarum; retreat; flourish