Henry VI, Part 1: Act 2, Scene 3

history

Auvergne. The COUNTESS's castle.

Scene Summary

The Countess of Auvergne has lured Talbot into her castle, planning to hold England's great general as her prisoner. Talbot reveals calmly that his body is not his power — he is only part of himself. His soldiers, who were following him unseen, surround the castle. The Countess, realising she has caught nothing, apologises and invites him to dine.

Enter the COUNTESS and her Porter

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

Porter, remember what I gave in charge;

And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.

Porter

Madam, I will.

Exit

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

The plot is laid: if all things fall out right,

I shall as famous be by this exploit

As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death.

Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight,

And his achievements of no less account:

Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears,

To give their censure of these rare reports.

Enter Messenger and TALBOT

Messenger

Madam,

According as your ladyship desired,

By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

And he is welcome. What! is this the man?

Messenger

Madam, it is.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

Is this the scourge of France?

Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad

That with his name the mothers still their babes?

I see report is fabulous and false:

I thought I should have seen some Hercules,

A second Hector, for his grim aspect,

And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.

Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!

It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp

Should strike such terror to his enemies.

TALBOT

Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;

But since your ladyship is not at leisure,

I'll sort some other time to visit you.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.

Messenger

Stay, my Lord Talbot; for my lady craves

To know the cause of your abrupt departure.

TALBOT

Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief,

I go to certify her Talbot's here.

Re-enter Porter with keys

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.

TALBOT

Prisoner! to whom?

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

To me, blood-thirsty lord;

And for that cause I trained thee to my house.

Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,

For in my gallery thy picture hangs:

But now the substance shall endure the like,

And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,

That hast by tyranny these many years

Wasted our country, slain our citizens

And sent our sons and husbands captivate.

TALBOT

Ha, ha, ha!

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

Laughest thou, wretch? thy mirth shall turn to moan.

TALBOT

I laugh to see your ladyship so fond

To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow

Whereon to practise your severity.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

Why, art not thou the man?

TALBOT

I am indeed.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

Then have I substance too.

TALBOT

No, no, I am but shadow of myself:

You are deceived, my substance is not here;

For what you see is but the smallest part

And least proportion of humanity:

I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,

It is of such a spacious lofty pitch,

Your roof were not sufficient to contain't.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

This is a riddling merchant for the nonce;

He will be here, and yet he is not here:

How can these contrarieties agree?

TALBOT

That will I show you presently.

Winds his horn. Drums strike up: a peal of ordnance. Enter soldiers

How say you, madam? are you now persuaded

That Talbot is but shadow of himself?

These are his substance, sinews, arms and strength,

With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,

Razeth your cities and subverts your towns

And in a moment makes them desolate.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

Victorious Talbot! pardon my abuse:

I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited

And more than may be gather'd by thy shape.

Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath;

For I am sorry that with reverence

I did not entertain thee as thou art.

TALBOT

Be not dismay'd, fair lady; nor misconstrue

The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake

The outward composition of his body.

What you have done hath not offended me;

Nor other satisfaction do I crave,

But only, with your patience, that we may

Taste of your wine and see what cates you have;

For soldiers' stomachs always serve them well.

COUNTESS

OF AUVERGNE

With all my heart, and think me honoured

To feast so great a warrior in my house.

Exeunt