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Act 2, Scene 1
Henry VI, Part 1 Translation Act 2, Scene 2
Enter TALBOT, BEDFORD, BURGUNDY, a Captain, and others
BEDFORD
The day begins to break, and night is fled,Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth.Here sound retreat, and cease our hot pursuit.
BEDFORD
The day is almost here and the night, whose black cloak covered the earth, has passed. Sound the trumpets to signal retreat and end our chase.
Retreat sounded
TALBOT
Bring forth the body of old Salisbury, And here advance it in the market-place, The middle centre of this cursed town. Now have I paid my vow unto his soul; For every drop of blood was drawn from him, There hath at least five Frenchmen died tonight. And that hereafter ages may behold What ruin happen'd in revenge of him, Within their chiefest temple I'll erect A tomb, wherein his corpse shall be interr'd: Upon the which, that every one may read, Shall be engraved the sack of Orleans, The treacherous manner of his mournful death And what a terror he had been to France. But, lords, in all our bloody massacre, I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace, His new-come champion, virtuous Joan of Arc, Nor any of his false confederates.
TALBOT
Bring forward the body of old Salisbury and display it here in the market square, which is the center of this cursed town. I have now fulfilled the vow that I made to him. For every drop of his spilled blood, I killed at least five Frenchmen tonight. And from now on, people will see the death that happened in his name. I will put up a tomb, in the main temple, where his corpse will be placed. On the tomb, where everyone may read it, the destruction of Orleans will be engraved—it will remind people of the treasonous manner in which he died and what a terror he was to France. But, lords, in our bloody massacre, I am surprised we didn't meet the Dauphin's grace—his newly arrived champion, the "virtuous" Joan of Arc, or any of his other false accomplices.
BEDFORD
'Tis thought, Lord Talbot, when the fight began, Roused on the sudden from their drowsy beds, They did amongst the troops of armed men Leap o'er the walls for refuge in the field.
BEDFORD
People think, Lord Talbot, that when the fight began, they rose suddenly from their sleepy beds, and among the troops of armed men, they jumped over the walls to find shelter in the field.
BURGUNDY
Myself, as far as I could well discern For smoke and dusky vapours of the night, Am sure I scared the Dauphin and his trull, When arm in arm they both came swiftly running, Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves That could not live asunder day or night. After that things are set in order here, We'll follow them with all the power we have.
BURGUNDY
As far as I could tell, by looking through the smoke and dark vapors of the night, I am sure I scared the Dauphin and his whore, when they came quickly running, hand in hand, like a pair of loving turtle-doves that couldn't be separated during the day night. After we sort out everything here, we'll follow them with all the military force we have.
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
All hail, my lords! which of this princely trainCall ye the warlike Talbot, for his actsSo much applauded through the realm of France?
MESSENGER
Greetings, my lords! Which one of this princely group do you call the warrior Talbot? His actions are praised throughout all of France!
TALBOT
Here is the Talbot: who would speak with him?
TALBOT
Here is that Talbot. Who would like to speak with him?
MESSENGER
The virtuous lady, Countess of Auvergne, With modesty admiring thy renown, By me entreats, great lord, thou wouldst vouchsafe To visit her poor castle where she lies, That she may boast she hath beheld the man Whose glory fills the world with loud report.
MESSENGER
The virtuous lady Countess of Auvergne, who modestly admires your fame. In my name she begs you, great lord, if you would agree to visit the poor castle where she lives, so she can brag that she saw the man whose glory is announced throughout the entire world.
BURGUNDY
Is it even so? Nay, then, I see our wars Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport, When ladies crave to be encounter'd with. You may not, my lord, despise her gentle suit.
BURGUNDY
Is it? Well, then, I see that our wars turn into nothing more than amusing entertainment, when ladies want to meet with us. My lord, you shouldn't disrespect her kind offer.
TALBOT
Ne'er trust me then; for when a world of men Could not prevail with all their oratory, Yet hath a woman's kindness over-ruled: And therefore tell her I return great thanks, And in submission will attend on her. Will not your honours bear me company?
TALBOT
Don't ever trust me then, since where many men could not succeed with their rhetorical skills, a woman's kindness did! And therefore, tell her that I thank her greatly and I will obediently visit her. Will you come with me so I have company, my lords?
BEDFORD
No, truly; it is more than manners will:And I have heard it said, unbidden guestsAre often welcomest when they are gone.
BEDFORD
No, really, it is not polite for us to do so. And I hear it's said that guests who are not invited are often the most welcomed once they are gone.
TALBOT
Well then, alone, since there's no remedy,I mean to prove this lady's courtesy.Come hither, captain.
TALBOT
Well, then, since there's no alternative, I will test this Lady's politeness. Come here, Captain.
Whispers
TALBOT
You perceive my mind?
TALBOT
Do you understand my intention?
CAPTAIN
I do, my lord, and mean accordingly.
CAPTAIN
I do, my lord, and I mean to act correspondingly to it.
Exeunt
