Act III, Scene viii

[Enter the King, Gloucester, Bishop of Winchester, York,Suffolk, Somerset, Warwick, Exeter: Vernon, Basset, andothers. To them with his soldiers, Talbot.]

TALBOT.:

My gracious Prince, and honourable peers,

Hearing of your arrival in this realm,

I have awhile given truce unto my wars,

To do my duty to my sovereign:

In sign whereof, this arm, that hath reclaim'd

To your obedience fifty fortresses,

Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength,

Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem,

Lets fall his sword before your highness' feet,

And with submissive loyalty of heart

Ascribes the glory of his conquest got

First to my God and next unto your grace.[Kneels.]

KING.:

Is this the Lord Talbot, uncle Gloucester,

That hath so long been resident in France?

GLOUCESTER.:

Yes, if it please your majesty, my liege.

KING.:

Welcome, brave captain and victorious lord!

When I was young, as yet I am not old.

I do remember how my father said

A stouter champion never handled sword.

Long since we were resolved of your truth,

Your faithful service and your toil in war;

Yet never have you tasted our reward,

Or been reguerdon'd with so much as thanks.

Because till now we never saw your face:

Therefore, stand up: and for these good deserts,

We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury;

And in our coronation take your place.

[Sennet. Flourish. Exeunt all but Vernon and Basset.]

VERNON.:

Now, sir, to you, that were so hot at sea,

Disgracing of these colors that I wear

In honor of my noble Lord of York:—

Dar'st thou maintain the former words thou spakest?

BASSET.:

Yes, sir; as well as you dare patronage

The envious barking of your saucy tongue

Against my lord the Duke of Somerset.

VERNON.:

Sirrah, thy lord I honor as he is.

BASSET.:

Why, what is he? as good a man as York.

VERNON.:

Hark ye; not so: in witness, take ye that.

[Strikes him.]

BASSET.:

Villain, thou know'st the law of arms is such

That whoso draws a sword, 'tis present death,

Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood.

But I 'll unto his majesty, and crave

I may have liberty to venge this wrong;

When thou shalt see I 'll meet thee to thy cost.

VERNON.:

Well, miscreant, I 'll be there as soon as you;

And, after, meet you sooner than you would.

[Exeunt.]