Scene Two
[France. Before Orleans]
Sound a Flourish.
Enter Charles, Alençon, and Reignier, marching with Drum and Soldiers.
Char. 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. 4
What towns of any moment but we have?
At pleasure here we lie near Orleans;
Otherwhiles the famish'd English, like pale ghosts,
Faintly besiege us one hour in a month. 8
Alen. They want their porridge and their fat bullbeeves:
Either they must be dieted like mules
And have their provender tied to their mouths,
Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice. 12
Reig. Let's raise the siege: why live we idly here?
Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear:
Remaineth none but mad-brain'd Salisbury,
And he may well in fretting spend his gall; 16
Nor men nor money hath he to make war.
Char. Sound, sound alarum! we will rush on them.
Now for the honour of the forlorn French!
Him I forgive my death that killeth me 20
When he sees me go back one foot or fly. Exeunt.
Here Alarum; they are beaten back by the English, with great loss.
Scene Two S. d. Flourish: trumpet blast
1 Mars his true moving: Mars' exact movement; cf. n.
7 Otherwhiles: at times
14 wont: were wont
17 Nor: neither
18 alarum: call to arms
