The English army is grown weak and faint.

The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply,

And hardly keeps his men from mutiny,

Since they, so few, watch such a multitude.

⌈Exit⌉

EXETER

Remember, lords, your oaths to Henry sworn:

Either to quell the Dauphin utterly,

Or bring him in obedience to your yoke.

BEDFORD

I do remember it, and here take my leave

To go about my preparation. Exit

GLOUCESTER

I’ll to the Tower with all the haste I can,

To view th’artillery and munition,

And then I will proclaim young Henry king. Exit

EXETER

To Eltham will I, where the young King is,

Being ordained his special governor,

And for his safety there I’ll best devise. Exit

WINCHESTER

Each hath his place and function to attend;

I am left out; for me, nothing remains.

But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office.

The King from Eltham I intend to steal,

And sit at chiefest stern of public weal. Exit

1.2 Sound a flourish. Enter Charles the Dauphin, the Duke of Alençon, and René Duke of Anjou, marching with drummer and soldiers

CHARLES

Mars his true moving—even as in the heavens,

So in the earth—to this day is not known.

Late did he shine upon the English side;

Now we are victors: upon us he smiles.

What towns of any moment but we have?

At pleasure here we lie near Orléans

Otherwhiles the famished English, like pale ghosts,

Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.

ALENÇON

They want their porrage and their fat bull beeves.

Either they must be dieted like mules,

And have their provender tied to their mouths,

Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.

RENÉ

Let’s raise the siege. Why live we idly here?

Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear.

Remaineth none but mad-brained Salisbury,

And he may well in fretting spend his gall:

Nor men nor money hath he to make war.

CHARLES

Sound, sound, alarum! We will rush on them.

Now for the honour of the forlorn French,

Him I forgive my death that killeth me

When he sees me go back one foot or flee. Exeunt

1.3 Here alarum. The French are beaten back by the English with great loss. Enter Charles the Dauphin, the Duke of Alençon, and René Duke of Anjou

CHARLES

Who ever saw the like? What men have I?

Dogs, cowards, dastards! I would ne‘er have fled,

But that they left me ’midst my enemies.

RENÉ

Salisbury is a desperate homicide.

He fighteth as one weary of his life.

The other lords, like lions wanting food,

Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.

ALENÇON

Froissart, a countryman of ours, records

England all Olivers and Rolands bred

During the time Edward the Third did reign.

More truly now may this be verified,

For none but Samsons and Goliases

It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten?

Lean raw-boned rascals, who would e’er suppose

They had such courage and audacity?

CHARLES

Let’s leave this town, for they are hare-brained 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.

RENÉ

I think by some odd gimmers 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 even let them alone.

ALENÇON Be it SO.

Enter the Bastard of Orléans

BASTARD

Where’s the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.

CHARLES

Bastard of Orléans, thrice welcome to us.

BASTARD

Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appalled.

Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?

Be not dismayed, 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 prophecy 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.

CHARLES

Go call her in. Exit Bastard

But first, to try her skill,

René stand thou as Dauphin in my place.

Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern.

By this means shall we sound what skill she hath.

Enter ⌈the Bastard of Orléans with⌉ Joan la Pucelle, armed

RENÉ (as Charles)

Fair maid, is’t thou wilt do these wondrous feats?

JOAN

René, is’t thou that thinkest to beguile me?

Where is the Dauphin? (To Charles) Come, come from behind.

I know thee well, though never seen before.

Be not amazed. There’s nothing hid from me.

In private will I talk with thee apart.

Stand back you lords, and give us leave awhile.

René, Alençon ⌈and Bastard⌉ stand apart

RENÉ ⌈to Alençon and Bastard⌉

She takes upon her bravely, at first dash.

JOAN

Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,

My wit untrained in any kind of art.

Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased