Of Charles, the Duke of Normandy, that I

Without restraint may have recourse to Calais

Through all the countries where he hath to do—

Which thou mayst easily obtain, I think,

By reason I have often heard thee say

He and thou were students once together—

And then thou shalt be set at liberty.

How sayst thou? Wilt thou undertake to do it?

VILLIERS

I will, my lord. But I must speak with him.

EARL OF SALISBURY

Why, so thou shalt! Take horse and post from hence—

Only before thou go’st, swear by thy faith

That if thou canst not compass my desire,

Thou wilt return my prisoner back again,

And that shall be sufficient warrant for me.

VILLIERS

To that condition I agree, my lord,

And will unfeignedly perform the same.

Exit

EARL or SALISBURY Farewell, Villiers!

Thus once I mean to try a Frenchman’s faith.

Exit

Sc. 10 Enter King Edward and the Earl of Derby with soldiers

KING EDWARD

Since they refuse our proffered league, my lord,

And will not ope their gates and let us in,

We will entrench ourselves on every side,

That neither victuals nor supply of men

May come to succour this accursed town.

Famine shall combat where our swords are stopped.

Enter six poor Frenchmen

EARL OF DERBY

The promised aid that made them stand aloof

Is now retired and gone another way.

It will repent them of their stubborn will.

But what are these poor, ragged slaves, my lord?

KING EDWARD

Ask what they are. It seems they come from Calais.

EARL OF DERBY (to the poor Frenchmen)

You wretched patterns of despair and woe—

What are you? Living men, or gliding ghosts

Crept from your graves to walk upon the earth?

POOR MAN

No ghosts, my lord, but men that breathe a life

Far worse than is the quiet sleep of death.

We are distressed poor inhabitants

That long have been diseased, sick and lame.

And now, because we are not fit to serve,

The Captain of the town hath thrust us forth

That so expense of victuals may be saved.

KING EDWARD

A charitable deed, no doubt, and worthy praise!

But how do you imagine, then, to speed?

We are your enemies: in such a case

We can no less but put ye to the sword,

Since, when we proffered truce, it was refused.

POOR MAN

An if your grace no otherwise vouchsafe,

As welcome death is unto us as life.

KING EDWARD

Poor seely men, much wronged, and more distressed!

Go, Derby, go, and see they be relieved.

Command that victuals be appointed them,

And give to every one five crowns apiece.

Exeunt the Earl of Derby and the six poor Frenchmen

The lion scorns to touch the yielding prey,

And Edward’s sword must fresh itself in such

As wilful stubbornness hath made perverse.

Enter Lord Percy

Lord Percy, welcome. What’s the news in England?

PERCY

The Queen, my lord, commends her to your grace,

And from her highness and the lord vicegerent

I bring this happy tidings of success:

David of Scotland, lately up in arms,

Thinking belike he soonest should prevail—

Your highness being absent from the realm—

Is by the fruitful service of your peers

And painful travail of the Queen herself—

That, big with child, was every day in arms—

Vanquished, subdued and taken prisoner.

KING EDWARD

Thanks, Percy, for thy news, with all my heart!

What was he took him prisoner in the field?

PERCY

A squire, my lord. John Copland is his name,

Who, since entreated by her majesty,

Denies to make surrender of his prize

To any but unto your grace alone—

Whereat the Queen is grievously displeased.

KING EDWARD

Well then, we’ll have a pursuivant dispatched

To summon Copland hither out of hand,

And with him he shall bring his prisoner-king.

PERCY

The Queen, my lord, herself by this at sea,

And purposeth, as soon as wind will serve,

To land at Calais, and to visit you.

KING EDWARD

She shall be welcome, and to wait her coming

I’ll pitch my tent near to the sandy shore.

Enter a Captain of Calais

CAPTAIN OF CALAIS

The burgesses of Calais, mighty king,

Have, by a council, willingly decreed

To yield the town and castle to your hands

Upon condition it will please your grace

To grant them benefit of life and goods.

KING EDWARD

They will so? Then, belike, they may command,

Dispose, elect and govern as they list!

No, sirrah. Tell them, since they did refuse

Our princely clemency at first proclaimed,

They shall not have it now, although they would.

I will accept of naught but fire and sword—

Except within these two days, six of them,

That are the wealthiest merchants in the town,

Come naked all but for their linen shirts,

With each a halter hanged about his neck,

And, prostrate, yield themselves upon their knees

To be afflicted, hanged or what I please.

And so you may inform their masterships.

Exeunt all but the Captain

CAPTAIN OF CALAIS

Why, this it is to trust a broken staff. Had we not been persuaded Jean, our king, Would, with his army, have relieved the town, We had not stood upon defiance so. But now ’tis past that no man can recall, 84 And better some do go to wreck than all.