COUNTESS
Porter, remember what I gave in charge;
And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.
PORTER
Madam, I will.
COUNTESS
The plot is laid. If all things fall out right,
I shall as famous be by this exploit
As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus’ death.
Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight,
And his achievements of no less account.
would mine eyes be witness with mine ears,
To give their censure of these rare reports.
MESSENGER
Madam, according as your ladyship desired,
By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.
COUNTESS
And he is welcome. What, is this the man?
MESSENGER
Madam, it is.
COUNTESS
Is this the scourge of France?
Is this the Talbot, so much fear’d abroad
That with his name the mothers still their babes?
I see report is fabulous and false.
I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
A second Hector, for his grim aspect,
And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies.
TALBOT
Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;
But since your ladyship is not at leisure,
I’ll sort some other time to visit you.
COUNTESS
What means he now? Go ask him he goes.
MESSENGER
Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
To know the cause of your abrupt departure.
TALBOT
Marry, for that she’s in a wrong belief,
I go to certify her Talbot’s here.
COUNTESS
If be he, then art prisoner.
TALBOT
Prisoner! To whom?
COUNTESS
To me, blood-thirsty lord;
And for that cause I train’d to my house.
Long time shadow been thrall to me,
For in my gallery picture hangs.
But now the substance shall endure the like,
And I will chain these legs and arms of ,
That by tyranny these many years
Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
And sent our sons and husbands captivate.
TALBOT
Ha, ha, ha!
COUNTESS
Laughest , wretch? mirth shall turn to moan.
TALBOT
I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
To think that you have but Talbot’s shadow
Whereon to practice your severity.
COUNTESS
Why, art not the man?
TALBOT
I am indeed.
COUNTESS
Then have I substance too.
TALBOT
No, no, I am but shadow of myself.
You are deceived, my substance is not here;
For what you see is but the smallest part
And least proportion of humanity.
I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
Your roof were not sufficient to contain ’t.
COUNTESS
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce;
He will be here, and yet he is not here.
How can these contrarieties agree?
TALBOT
That will I show you .
TALBOT
How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
These are his substance, sinews, arms and strength,
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
Razeth your cities and subverts your towns,
And in a moment makes them desolate.
COUNTESS
Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse.
I find art no less than fame bruited,
And more than may be gather’d by shape.
Let my presumption not provoke wrath,
For I am sorry that with reverence
I did not entertain as art.
TALBOT
Be not dismay’d, fair lady, nor misconster
The mind of Talbot, as you did mistake
The outward composition of his body.
What you have done not offended me;
Nor other satisfaction do I crave
But only, with your patience, that we may
Taste of your wine and see what cates you have,
For soldiers’ stomachs always serve them well.
COUNTESS
With all my heart, and think me honoured
To feast so great a warrior in my house.