But that it doth presage some ill event. 191
'Tis much when sceptres are in children's hands;
But more, when envy breeds unkind division:
There comes the ruin, there begins confusion. Exit.
Scene Two
[Before Bordeaux]
Enter Talbot, with Trump and Drum, before Bordeaux.
Tal. Go to the gates of Bordeaux, trumpeter;
Summon their general unto the wall.
[Trumpet] sounds. Enter General aloft [with followers].
English John Talbot, captains, calls you forth,
Servant in arms to Harry King of England; 4
And thus he would: Open your city gates,
Be humble to us, call my sovereign yours,
And do him homage as obedient subjects,
And I'll withdraw me and my bloody power; 8
But, if you frown upon this proffer'd peace,
You tempt the fury of my three attendants,
Lean famine, quartering steel, and climbing fire;
Who in a moment even with the earth 12
Shall lay your stately and air-braving towers,
If you forsake the offer of their love.
Gen. Thou ominous and fearful owl of death,
Our nation's terror and their bloody scourge! 16
The period of thy tyranny approacheth.
On us thou canst not enter but by death;
191 But: but sees, i.e., without seeing
193 unkind: unnatural
Scene Two; cf. n.
5 would: would have you understand
10, 11 Cf. n.
17 period: full stop, end
