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Henry VI, Part 1 - Act 4, scene 4
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Henry VI, Part 1 - Act 4, scene 4Act 4, scene 4
⌜Scene 4⌝
Synopsis:
Sir William Lucy chastises Somerset for not having helped Talbot, but Somerset blames York, who has apparently refused to communicate with him.
Enter Somerset with his army ⌜and a Captainfrom Talbot’s army.⌝
SOMERSET
1891 It is too late; I cannot send them now.
1892 This expedition was by York and Talbot
1893 Too rashly plotted. All our general force
1894 Might with a sally of the very town
1895 5 Be buckled with. The overdaring Talbot
1896 Hath sullied all his gloss of former honor
1897 By this unheedful, desperate, wild adventure.
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167
1898
York set him on to fight and die in shame1899 That, Talbot dead, great York might bear the name.
⌜Enter Sir William Lucy.⌝
CAPTAIN
1900 10 Here is Sir William Lucy, who with me
1901 Set from our o’er-matched forces forth for aid.
SOMERSET
1902 How now, Sir William, whither were you sent?
LUCY
1903 Whither, my lord? From bought and sold Lord Talbot,
1904 Who, ringed about with bold adversity,
1905 15 Cries out for noble York and Somerset
1906 To beat assailing Death from his weak regions;
1907 And whiles the honorable captain there
1908 Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs
1909 And, in advantage ling’ring, looks for rescue,
1910 20 You, his false hopes, the trust of England’s honor,
1911 Keep off aloof with worthless emulation.
1912 Let not your private discord keep away
1913 The levied succors that should lend him aid,
1914 While he, renownèd noble gentleman,
1915 25 Yield up his life unto a world of odds.
1916 Orleance the Bastard, Charles, Burgundy,
1917 Alanson, Reignier compass him about,
1918 And Talbot perisheth by your default.
SOMERSET
1919 York set him on; York should have sent him aid.
LUCY
1920 30 And York as fast upon your Grace exclaims,
1921 Swearing that you withhold his levied host
1922 Collected for this expedition.
SOMERSET
1923 York lies. He might have sent and had the horse.
1924 I owe him little duty and less love,
1925 35 And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending.
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169
LUCY 1926 The fraud of England, not the force of France,
1927 Hath now entrapped the noble-minded Talbot.
1928 Never to England shall he bear his life,
1929 But dies betrayed to fortune by your strife.
SOMERSET
1930 40 Come, go. I will dispatch the horsemen straight.
1931 Within six hours they will be at his aid.
LUCY
1932 Too late comes rescue; he is ta’en or slain,
1933 For fly he could not if he would have fled;
1934 And fly would Talbot never, though he might.
SOMERSET
1935 45 If he be dead, brave Talbot, then adieu.
LUCY
1936 His fame lives in the world, his shame in you.
They exit.