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Act 5, Scene 2
Henry VI, Part 1 Translation Act 5, Scene 3
Alarum. Excursions. Enter JOAN LA PUCELLE
JOAN LA PUCELLE
The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. Now help, ye charming spells and periapts; And ye choice spirits that admonish me And give me signs of future accidents.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
The regent is victorious and the Frenchmen are running away. Now you must help, you magic spells and amulets. And you, excellent spirits that warned me and gave me signs about the future.
Thunder
JOAN LA PUCELLE
You speedy helpers, that are substitutesUnder the lordly monarch of the north,Appear and aid me in this enterprise.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
Quick helpers, the servants of the devil, appear to me and help me with my plan.
Enter Fiends
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JOAN LA PUCELLE
This speedy and quick appearance argues proof Of your accustom'd diligence to me. Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull'd Out of the powerful regions under earth, Help me this once, that France may get the field.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
This swift and quick appearance is proof of your familiar determination to help me. Now, my familiar spirits, that have been picked from the powerful spaces under the earth, help me once more so that France will win the battle.
They walk, and speak not
JOAN LA PUCELLE
O, hold me not with silence over-long! Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, I'll lop a member off and give it you In earnest of further benefit, So you do condescend to help me now.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
Oh, don't leave me hanging here in this silence for too long! Whereas until now I was accustomed to feed you my blood, I'll cut off a limb and give it to you as an advance payment for a later favor, so that you will agree to help me now.
They hang their heads
JOAN LA PUCELLE
No hope to have redress? My body shallPay recompense, if you will grant my suit.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
Is there no hope of assistance? My body shall compensate for it, if you'll fulfill my request.
They shake their heads
JOAN LA PUCELLE
Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice Entreat you to your wonted furtherance? Then take my soul, my body, soul and all, Before that England give the French the foil.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
Can't my body or blood sacrifice convince you to assist me like you usually do? Take my soul, my body, soul and everything, then, before England defeats the French.
They depart
JOAN LA PUCELLE
See, they forsake me! Now the time is come That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest And let her head fall into England's lap. My ancient incantations are too weak, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
See, they abandon me! Now it is time for France to lower her helmet decorated with feathers and let her head fall into England's lap. My old spells are too weak and hell is too strong for me to fight against. Now, your glory falls down into the dust, France!
Exit
Excursions. Re-enter JOAN LA PUCELLE fighting hand to hand with YORK. JOAN LA PUCELLE is taken. The French fly.
YORK
Damsel of France, I think I have you fast: Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms And try if they can gain your liberty. A goodly prize, fit for the devil's grace! See, how the ugly wench doth bend her brows, As if with Circe she would change my shape!
YORK
You French girl, I think I have captured you. Now ask your spirits for help with conjuring spells and see if they can gain you your freedom. A great prize, good for the devil! See, how the ugly girl frowns, as if she could change my shape like Circe.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
You can't be changed to a worse shape than you are!
YORK
O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
YORK
Oh, yes, Charles the Dauphin is a handsome man and you only like his shape.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!And may ye both be suddenly surprisedBy bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!
JOAN LA PUCELLE
A horrible plague on Charles and you! And I hope you'll both be suddenly surprised by bloody hands, while you're asleep!
YORK
Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue!
YORK
Fierce cursing witch, be quiet!
JOAN LA PUCELLE
I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile.
JOAN LA PUCELLE
Please, let me curse for a while.
YORK
Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake.
YORK
You can curse all you like when you are at the stake, you heretic!
Exeunt
Alarum. Enter SUFFOLK with MARGARET in his hand
SUFFOLK
Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
SUFFOLK
Whatever you are, you are now my prisoner.
Gazes on her
SUFFOLK
O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly! For I will touch thee but with reverent hands; I kiss these fingers for eternal peace, And lay them gently on thy tender side. Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee.
SUFFOLK
Oh, what a beauty you are! Don't be afraid or run away. I will only touch you with respectful hands. I kiss these fingers to show you I mean to be at peace with you forever. And I release your hand so that it may hang by your side. Who are you? Tell me so I can honor you.
MARGARET
Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,The King of Naples, whosoe'er thou art.
MARGARET
My name is Margaret and I am the King of Naples' daughter. And who might you be?
SUFFOLK
An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call'd. Be not offended, nature's miracle, Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me: So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. Yet, if this servile usage once offend. Go, and be free again, as Suffolk's friend.
SUFFOLK
I'm an earl and my name is Suffolk. Don't be offended, you miracle of nature, you were destined to be taken by me. I am like the swan that protects her feathery young children, keeping them prisoner under her wings. But if this treatment offends you, you are free to go and still be Suffolk's friend.
She is going
SUFFOLK
O, stay! I have no power to let her pass; My hand would free her, but my heart says no As plays the sun upon the glassy streams, Twinkling another counterfeited beam, So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak: I'll call for pen and ink, and write my mind. Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself; Hast not a tongue? is she not here? Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight? Ay, beauty's princely majesty is such, Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.
SUFFOLK
Stay! [To himself] I don't have the power to let her go. My hand wants to let her go but my heart doesn't. Like when the sun shines on the mirror-like rivers, causing another mirrored ray to twinkle, so her gorgeous beauty is like to my eyes. I would love to flirt with her, but I am unable to speak. I'll ask for pen and paper and write down everything that's on my mind. Ah, please, de la Pole! Don't underestimate yourself. Do you not have a tongue? Isn't she right here? Will you be intimidated at the sight of a woman? Yes! The power of beauty is so strong that it destroys the power of the tongue and dulls all the senses.
MARGARET
Say, Earl of Suffolk—if thy name be so—What ransom must I pay before I pass?For I perceive I am thy prisoner.
MARGARET
Tell me, Earl of Suffolk—if that's your name—what price do I have to pay before you'll let me go? I suppose, I am your prisoner.
SUFFOLK
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit,Before thou make a trial of her love?
SUFFOLK
[To himself] How can you know that she will deny your request before you have even tested her love?
MARGARET
Why speak'st thou not? what ransom must I pay?
MARGARET
Why don't you speak? What price do I have to pay?
SUFFOLK
She's beautiful, and therefore to be woo'd;She is a woman, therefore to be won.
SUFFOLK
[To himself] She is so beautiful that I must flirt with her, since she is a woman and must be won over.
MARGARET
Wilt thou accept of ransom? yea, or no.
MARGARET
Will you accept some sort of price? Yes, or no?
SUFFOLK
Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife;Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?
SUFFOLK
[To himself] Foolish man, do you forget that you have a wife? Then how can Margaret be your lover?
MARGARET
I were best to leave him, for he will not hear.
MARGARET
I should probably leave him, since he's not listening to me.
SUFFOLK
There all is marr'd; there lies a cooling card.
SUFFOLK
[To himself] That's it, this ruins all my hopes of winning.
MARGARET
He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
MARGARET
He speaks very randomly. I'm sure that man is mad.
SUFFOLK
And yet a dispensation may be had.
SUFFOLK
[To himself] And yet divorce with the Pope's permission is an option.
MARGARET
And yet I would that you would answer me.
MARGARET
And yet I'd like him to answer me!
SUFFOLK
I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom?Why, for my king: tush, that's a wooden thing!
SUFFOLK
[To himself] I'll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Well, for my king! Ah, what a stupid idea!
MARGARET
He talks of wood: it is some carpenter.
MARGARET
He speaks of wood. Maybe he is some sort of a woodworker?
SUFFOLK
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms But there remains a scruple in that too; For though her father be the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match.
SUFFOLK
[To himself] And yet, my infatuation would be satisfied and peace would be established between these two countries. But there is a problem that stands in my way. Although her father is the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, he is poor and the lords at court will mock this match.
MARGARET
Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?
MARGARET
Can you hear me, captain? Are you all right?
SUFFOLK
It shall be so, disdain they ne'er so much.Henry is youthful and will quickly yield.Madam, I have a secret to reveal.
SUFFOLK
[To himself] Yes, that's how it will be, however arrogant they will be about it. Henry is young and will agree to this.
[To MARGARET] Madam, I have a secret to tell you.
MARGARET
What though I be enthrall'd? he seems a knight,And will not any way dishonour me.
MARGARET
[To herself] What, even though I am taken captive? Well, he seems like a knight and won't disrespect me in any way.
SUFFOLK
Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
SUFFOLK
Lady, please listen to what I have to say.
MARGARET
Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French;And then I need not crave his courtesy.
MARGARET
[To herself] Maybe I'll be rescued by the French and then I don't need to hope for his kindness.
SUFFOLK
Sweet madam, give me a hearing in a cause—
SUFFOLK
Sweet madam, please hear what I have to say about—
MARGARET
Tush, women have been captivate ere now.
MARGARET
[To herself] Ah, please, women have been taken prisoner before me.
SUFFOLK
Lady, wherefore talk you so?
SUFFOLK
Lady, why do you talk like this?
MARGARET
I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo.
MARGARET
I ask for mercy, it's simply "quid pro quo."
SUFFOLK
Say, gentle princess, would you not supposeYour bondage happy, to be made a queen?
SUFFOLK
Tell me, gentle princess, wouldn't you think your imprisonment is a good thing if you were made a queen?
MARGARET
To be a queen in bondage is more vileThan is a slave in base servility;For princes should be free.
MARGARET
To be an imprisoned queen is more low than to be a slave in servitude. Princes should be free.
SUFFOLK
And so shall you,If happy England's royal king be free.
SUFFOLK
And you will be free, if the happy royal king of England is free.
MARGARET
Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
MARGARET
Why should I care about his freedom? What's it to me?
SUFFOLK
I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen, To put a golden sceptre in thy hand And set a precious crown upon thy head, If thou wilt condescend to be my—
SUFFOLK
I want to make you Henry's queen and put a golden scepter in your hand and a precious crown on your head, if you will agree to be my—
MARGARET
What?
MARGARET
Your what?
SUFFOLK
His love.
SUFFOLK
His love.
MARGARET
I am unworthy to be Henry's wife.
MARGARET
I am not good enough to be Henry's wife.
SUFFOLK
No, gentle madam; I unworthy am To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, And have no portion in the choice myself. How say you, madam, are ye so content?
SUFFOLK
No, gentle madam, I am not good enough to court such a fair woman to be his wife, and have no part in the choice myself. What do you say, madam? Are you happy with that?
MARGARET
An if my father please, I am content.
MARGARET
If my father is happy, I will be too.
SUFFOLK
Then call our captains and our colours forth.And, madam, at your father's castle wallsWe'll crave a parley, to confer with him.
SUFFOLK
Then I'll call our captains and the bearers of our military flags. And we'll ask for negotiation at your father's walls, madam, so we can discuss this with him.
A parley sounded. Enter REIGNIER on the walls
SUFFOLK
See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner!
SUFFOLK
See, Reignier, your daughter is a prisoner!
REIGNIER
To whom?
REIGNIER
A prisoner to whom?
SUFFOLK
To me.
SUFFOLK
To me.
REIGNIER
Suffolk, what remedy?I am a soldier, and unapt to weep,Or to exclaim on fortune's fickleness.
REIGNIER
Suffolk, what can I do? I am a soldier and am unable to cry or to accuse inconstancy of fortune.
SU FFOLK
Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Consent, and for thy honour give consent, Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto; And this her easy-held imprisonment Hath gained thy daughter princely liberty.
SUFFOLK
Yes, there is something you can do, my lord. Agree to allow your daughter to marry my king. I have courted and won Margaret and this easily endured imprisonment has gained your daughter's freedom.
REIGNIER
Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
REIGNIER
Does Suffolk speak his mind?
SUFFOLK
Fair Margaret knowsThat Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.
SUFFOLK
Fair Margaret knows that Suffolk doesn't flatter, deceive or fake anything.
REIGNIER
Upon thy princely warrant, I descendTo give thee answer of thy just demand.
REIGNIER
On your princely guarantee, I will come down to give you an answer to your honorable request.
Exit from the walls
SUFFOLK
And here I will expect thy coming.
SUFFOLK
And I wait for your arrival here.
Trumpets sound. Enter REIGNIER, below
REIGNIER
Welcome, brave earl, into our territories:Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.
REIGNIER
Welcome, brave earl, into our lands! Let me know what you'd like in Anjou.
SUFFOLK
Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,Fit to be made companion with a king:What answer makes your grace unto my suit?
SUFFOLK
Thanks, Reignier. Would you be happy if your sweet child was made a companion to a king? What is your answer to my suggestion?
REIGNIER
Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth To be the princely bride of such a lord; Upon condition I may quietly Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou, Free from oppression or the stroke of war, My daughter shall be Henry's, if he please.
REIGNIER
Since you have already put in the effort to court her and the little she is worth, to be the bride of such a lord, I will agree on the condition that I may quietly enjoy my territories of Maine and Anjou, which will be free from oppression and the attacks of war. My daughter will be Henry's if he is happy with it.
SUFFOLK
That is her ransom; I deliver her;And those two counties I will undertakeYour grace shall well and quietly enjoy.
SUFFOLK
That's her price then. I will deliver her. And I'll make sure that you will quietly enjoy those two territories.
REIGNIER
And I again, in Henry's royal name,As deputy unto that gracious king,Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.
REIGNIER
And I, in return, in Henry's royal name, since you are the deputy of the king, give you her hand as a sign of the promise.
SUFFOLK
Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Because this is in traffic of a king.
[Aside] And yet, methinks, I could be well content
To be mine own attorney in this case.
I'll over then to England with this news,
And make this marriage to be solemnized.
So farewell, Reignier: set this diamond safe
In golden palaces, as it becomes.
SUFFOLK
Reignier of France, I thank you in the name of my king, because this is the king's business.
[To himself] And yet, I think I would be quite happy to represent myself in this case.
[To REIGNIER] I'll go over to England then, with this news and formalize this marriage. So, goodbye, Reignier! Store this diamond safely in golden palaces, where it belongs.
REIGNIER
I do embrace thee, as I would embraceThe Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.
REIGNIER
I embrace you like I would embrace the Christian prince, King Henry, if he were here.
MARGARET
Farewell, my lord: good wishes, praise and prayersShall Suffolk ever have of Margaret.
MARGARET
Goodbye, my lord. Suffolk will always have good wishes, praise and prayers from Margaret.
Going
SUFFOLK
Farewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret;No princely commendations to my king?
SUFFOLK
Goodbye, sweet madam. But, listen, Margaret, don't you want to send any royal greetings to my king?
MARGARET
Such commendations as becomes a maid,A virgin and his servant, say to him.
MARGARET
I send him the greetings that a girl, a virgin and his servant would send him. You can tell him that.
SUFFOLK
Words sweetly placed and modestly directed.But madam, I must trouble you again;No loving token to his majesty?
SUFFOLK
Those words are sweetly said and worthy of your virtue. But, madam, I must ask you again: No loving keepsake for his majesty?
MARGARET
Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart,Never yet taint with love, I send the king.
MARGARET
Yes, my good lord, I send the king my pure and unstained heart, never before touched with love.
SUFFOLK
And this withal.
SUFFOLK
And also this.
Kisses her
MARGARET
That for thyself: I will not so presumeTo send such peevish tokens to a king.
MARGARET
That you can keep for yourself. I would not dare to send such foolish keepsakes to a king.
Exeunt REIGNIER and MARGARET
SUFFOLK
O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay; Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth; There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk. Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise: Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount, And natural graces that extinguish art; Repeat their semblance often on the seas, That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry's feet, Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.
SUFFOLK
Oh, if only you were mine! But Suffolk, stop. You shouldn't get lost in that labyrinth because that is where Minotaurs and ugly treasons hide. Persuade Henry by praising her wonderful qualities. Remember her virtues that excel and natural graces that outdo any artifice. Recall the image of them as you journey across the sea so that when you come to kneel at Henry's feet, you will deprive him of his senses with wonder.
Exit
