This old play of King Henry VI. now before us, or as our author's editors have called it, the first part of King Henry VI, I suppose to have been written in 1589, or before. The disposition of facts in these three plays, not always corresponding with the dates, which Mr. Theobald mentions, and the want of uniformity and consistency in the series of events exhibited, may perhaps be in some measure acAs counted for by the hypothesis now stated. to our author's having accepted these pieces as a director of the stage, he bad, I fear, no

pretension to such a situation at so early a peried. MALONE.

The chief argument on which the first paragraph of the foregoing note depends, is not, in my opinion, conclusive. This historical play might have been one of our author's earliest efforts; and almost every young poet begins his career by imitation. Shakspeare, therefore, till he felt his own strength, perhaps servilely conformed to the style and manner of his predecessors. STEEVENS.

SCENE L-Westminster Abbey.

Id march. Corpse of King HENRY the Fifth wered lying in state; attended on by the is of BEDFORD, GLOSTER, and EXETER; the Eof WARWICK, the Bishop of WINCHESTER, Heralds, etc.

Bed Hang be the heavens with black, yield day to night!

rts, importing change of times and states,
sh your crystal tresses in the sky;

4 with them scourge the bad revolting stars,
Save consented unto Henry's death!
leury the Fifth, too famous to live long!

ne'er lost a king of so much worth. England ne'er had a king until his time. A be bad, deserving to cominand ;

Ha brand sh'd sword did blind men with his beams; farms spread wider than a dragon's wings; is sparkling eyes, replete with wrathful fire, jazz ed and drove back his enemies,

rad day sun, fierce bent against their faces. Wastould I say? his deeds exceed all speech: he te er lift up his hand bat conquered.

[blood?

Ezt. We mourn in black; Why mourn we not in Heary is dead, and never shall revive: am a wooden coffin we attend; And death's dishonourable victory with our stately presence glorify, like captives bound to a triumphant car. saall we curse the plane ts of mishap, Tut plotted thus our glory's overthrow ?

we think the subtle witted French wors and sorcerers, that, afraid of him,

By magic verses have contrived his end?
Win. He was a king, blessed of the King of kings.
Unto the French the dreadful judgment day
So dreadful will not be, as was his sight.
The battles of the Lord of hosts he fought:
The church's prayers made him so prosperous.
Glo. The church! where is it? Had not church-

men pray'd,

His thread of life had not so soon decay'd:
None do you like but an effeminate prince,
Whom, like a school-boy, you may over-awe.

Win. Gloster, whate'er we like, thou art protector;
And lookest to command the prince, and realm.
Thy wife is proud: she holdeth thee in awe,
More than God, or religious churchmen, may.

Glo. Name not religion, for thou lov'st the flesh, And ne'er throughout the year to church thou go'st Except it be to pray against thy foes. [in peace!

Bed. Cease, cease these jars, and rest your minds
Let's to the altar: Heralds, wait on us :-
Instead of gold, we'll offer up our arms;
Since arms avail not, now that Henry's dead.-
Posterity, await for wretched years,

When at their mothers' moist eyes babes shall suck;
Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears,
And none but women left to wail the dead.-
Heury the fifth! thy ghost I invocate;
Prosper this realin, keep it from civil broils!
Combat with adverse planets in the heavens!
A far more glorious star thy soul will make,
Than Julius Cæsar, or bright-

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. My honourable lords, health to you all! Sid tidings bring I to you out of France, Of loss, of slaughter, and discomfiture:

Dogs! cowards! dastards!-I would ne'er have fled, But that they left me 'midst my enemies.

Reig. Salisbury is a desperate homicide;

He tighteth as one weary of his life.
The other lords, like lions wanting food,
Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.

Alen. Frossard, a countryman of ours, records,
England all Olivers and Rowlands bred,
During the time Edward the third did reign.
More truly now may this be verified;
For noue but Samsons, and Goliasses,

It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten!

Lean raw-bon'd rascals! who would e'er suppose They had such courage and audacity?

Char. Let's leave this town; for they are hairbrain'd slaves,

And hunger will enforce them to be more eager:
Of old I know them; rather with their teeth

The walls they'll tear down, than forsake the siege.
Reig. I think, by some odd gimmals or device,
Their arms are set, like clocks, still to strike on;
Else ne'er could they hold out so, as they do.
By my consent, we'll e'en let them alone.
Alen. Be it so.

Enter the Bastard of ORLEANS.

Bast. Where's the prince Dauphin? I have news for him,

Char. Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us. Bast. Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer

appal'd;

Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?
Be not dismay'd, for succour is at hand:

A holy maid hither with me I bring,

Which, by a vision sent to her from heaven,
Ordained is to raise this tedious siege,

And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
The spirit of deep prophesy she hath,
Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome;
What's past, and what's to come, she can descry.
Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words,
For they are certain and unfallible.

Char. Go, call her in: [Exit Bastard.] But, first, to try her skill,

Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place: Qestion her proudly, let thy looks be stern:By this means shall we sound what skill she hath. (Retires.) Eater LA PUCELLE, Bastard of ORLEANS, and others.

Reig. Fair maid, is't thou wilt do those wond'rous feats?

[me

Puc. Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to beguile
Where is the Dauphin?-come, come from behind;
I know thee well, though never seen before.
Be not amaz'd, there's nothing hid from me;
Ja private will I talk with thee apart;—
Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile.
Reig. She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Pac. Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daugh-
My wit untrain'd in any kind of art.
[ter,
Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleas'd
To shine on my contemptible estate:
Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs,

And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks,
God's mother deigned to appear to me;
And, in a vision full of majesty,
Will'd me to leave my base vocation,
And free my country from calamity:
Her aid she promis'd, and assur'd success:
la complete glory she reveal'd herself;
And, whereas I was black and swart before,
With those clear rays which she infus'd on me,
That beauty am I bless'd with, which you see.
Ask me what question thou canst possible.
And I will answer unpremeditated:
My courage try by combat, if thou dar'st,
And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
Resolve on this: Thou shalt be fortunate,

If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
Char. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high

terms;

Only this proof I'll of thy valour make,-
In single combat thou shalt buckle with me;
And, if thou vanquishest, thy words are true;
Otherwise, I renounce all confidence.

Puc. I am prepar'd: here is my keen-edg'd sword,
Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side;
The which at Touraine, in Saint Katharine's church-
Out of a deal of old iron I chose forth. [yard,
Char. Then come o' God's name, I fear no woman.
Puc. And, while I live, I'll ne'er fly from a man.
(They fight)
Char. Stay, stay thy hand; thou art an Amazon,
And fightest with the sword of Deborah.
Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too
weak.
[help me :
Char. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must
Impatiently I burn with thy desire;

My heart and hands thou hast at once subdu'd.
Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so,
Let me thy servant, and not sovereign be;
"Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus.
Puc. I must not yield to any rites of love,
For my profession's sacred from above:
When I have chased all thy foes from hence,
Then will I think upon a recompense. [thrall.
Char. Mean time, look gracious on thy prostrate
Reig. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.
Alen. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her
smock:

Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.
Reig. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no
mean?
[know;

Alen. He may mean more than we poor men do These women are shrewd tempters with their

tongues. [on? Reig. My lord, where are you? what devise you Shall we give over Orleans, or no? Puc. Why, no, I

say,

distrustful recreants! Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard. Char. What she says, I'll confirm; we'll fight it

out.

Puc. Assign'd am I to be the English scourge. This night the siege assuredly I'll raise: Expect Saint Martin's summer, halcyon days, Since I have enter'd into these wars. Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself, Glory is like a circle in the water, Till, by broad spreading, it disperse to nought. With Henry's death, the English circle ends; Dispersed are the glories it included. Now am I like that proud insulting ship, Which Cæsar and his fortune bare at once.

Char. Was Mahomet inspired with a dove? Thou with an eagle art inspired then. Helen, the mother of great Constantine, Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters, were like thee. Bright star of Venus, fall'n down on the earth, How may I reverently worship thee enough?

Alen. Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege. Reig. Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours;

Drive them from Orleans, and be immortaliz'd. Char. Presently we'll try: - Come, let's away about it:

No prophet will I trust, if she prove false. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-London. Hill before the Tower. Enter, at the gates, the Duke of GLOSTER, with his Serving-men, in blue coats.

Glo. I am come to survey the Tower this day; Since Henry's death, I fear, there is conveyance.Where be these warders, that they wait not here? Open the gates; Gloster it is that calls.

(Servants knock.) 1 Ward. (Within.) Who is there, that knocks so

imperiously?

1 Serv. It is the noble duke of Gloster.

2 Ward. (Within) Whoe'er he be, we may not let him in.

1 Serv. Answer you so the lord protector, villains? 1 Iard. (Within.) The Lord protect him! so we answer him:

[mine?

We do no otherwise than we are will'd.
Glo. Who willed you; or whose will stands, but
There's none protector of the realm, but L-
Break up the gates, I'll be your warrantize :
Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms?
Servants rush at the Tower gates. Enter to the
gates, WOODVILLE, the Lieutenant.
Wood. (Within.) What noise is this? what
traitors have we here?

Glo. Lieutenant, is it you, whose voice I hear! Open the gates; here's Gloster that would enter. Wood Within.) Have patience, noble duke; I may not open;

The cardinal of Winchester forbids:
From him I have express commandment,
That thou, nor none of thine, shall be let in.

[me?

Glo. Faint-hearted Woodville, prizest him fore Arrogant Winchester? that haughty prefate, Whom Henry, our late sovereign, ne'er could brook? Thou art no friend to God, or to the king: Open the gates, or I'll shut thee out shortly.

1 Serv. Open the gates unto the lord protector. Or we'll burst them open, if that you come not quickly.

Enter WINCHESTER, attended by a Train of Servants in tawny coats.

Win. How now, ambitious Humphrey, what means this? 'Shut out?

Glo. Pield priest, dost thou command me to be Iin. I do, thou most usurping proditor,

And not protector of the king or realm.

Glo. Stand back, thou manifest conspirator; Thou, that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord; Thou, that giv'st whores indulgences to sin: I'll canvas thee in thy broad cardinal's hat, If thou proceed in this thy insolence. Win. Nay, stand thou back, I will not budge a This be Damascus, be thon cursed Cain, To slay thy brother Abel, if thou wilt.

[foot:

Glo. I will not slay thee, but I'll drive thee back : Thy scarlet robes, as a child's bearing-cloth I'll use to carry thee out of this place.

Win. Do what thou dar'st; I beard thee to thy face. face?

Glo. What? am I dar'd, and bearded to my Draw, men, for all this privileged places beard; Blue-coats to tawny-coats. Priest, beware your

(Gloster and his men attack the Bishop.)

I mean to tug it, and to cull you soundly:
Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat;
In spite of pope or dignities of church,
Here by the cheeks Ill drag thee up and down.
Win. Gloster, thou'lt answer this before the pope.
Glo. Winchester goose, I cry-a rope! a rope
Now beat them hence, why do you let them stay
Thee I'll chase hence, thou wolf in sheep's array.
Out, tawny coats!-out, scarlet hypocrite!

Here a great tumult. In the midst of it, enter the Mayor of London, and officers.

May. Fy, lords! that you, being supreme magistrates,

Thus contumeliously should break the peace!
Glo. Peace, mayor; thou know'st little of my

To crown himself king, and suppress the prince.
Glo. I will not answer thee with words, but blows.
(Here they skirmish again.)
May. Nought rests for me, in this tumultuous
Cut to make open proclamation --
Come, officer; as loud as e'er thou canst.

[strife,

Offi. All manner of men, assembled here in arms this day, against God's peace and the king's, we charge and command you, in his highness' name, to repair to your several dwelling places; and not to wear, handle, or use, any sword, wea pon, or dagger, henceforward, upon pain of death. Glo. Cardinal, I'll be no breaker of the law: But we shall meet, and break our minds at large. Win. Gloster, we'll meet; to thy dear cost, be

SCENE IV.-France. Before Orleans. Enter, on the walls, the Master-Gunner and his Son.

M. Gun. Sirrah, thou know'st how Orleans is besieg'd;

And how the English have the suburbs won.
Son. Father, I know; and oft have shot at them,
Howe'er, unfortunate, I miss'd
my
aim. by the
M. Gun. But now thou shalt not. Be thou rul'd
Chief master gunner am I of this town;
Something I must do, to procure me grace.
The prince's espials have informed me,
How the English, in the suburbs close intrench'd,
Wont, through a secret grate of iron bars
In yonder tower, to overpeer the city;
And thence discover, how, with most advantage,
They may vex us, with shot, or with assault.
To intercept this inconvenience,

A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have plac'd:
And fully even these three days have I watch'd,
If I could see them. Now, boy, do thou watch,
For I can stay no longer.

If thou spy'st any, run and bring me word;
And thou shalt find me at the governor's.

Exit.

Son. Father, I warrant you; take you no care; I'll never trouble you, if I may spy them. Enter, in an upper Chamber of a Tower, the Lords

SALISBURY and TALBOT, Sir WILLIAM GLANSDALE, Sir THOMAS GARGRAVE, and others. Sal. Talbot, my life, my joy, again return'd! How wert thou handled, being prisoner? Or by what means got'st thou to be releas'd? Discomse, I prythee, on this turret's top.

Tal. The duke of Bedford had a prisoner, Called the brave lord Pouton de Santrailles; For him I was exchang d and ransomed. But with a baser man of arms by far, Once, in contempt, they would have barter'd me. Which I, disdaining, scorn'd; and craved death Rather than I would be so pil'd esteem'd. In fine, redeem'd I was as I desir'd. Bot, O! the treacherous Fastolle wounds Whom with my bare fist I would execute, I now I had him brought into my power. Sal. Yet tell'st thou not, how thou wert enterfaio'd. Itaunts

my

heart!

Tal. With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious
In open market-place produc'd they me,
To be a pubue spectacle to all;

Here, said they, is the terror of the French,
The scare crow, that affrights our children so.