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The regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly. Now help, ye charming spells and periapts; And ye choice spirits that admonish me And give me signs of future accidents.
The ruler wins, and the French are fleeing. Now help, you magic spells and charms; And you spirits who guide me, And show me signs of what’s to come.
You speedy helpers, that are substitutes Under the lordly monarch of the north, Appear and aid me in this enterprise.
You swift helpers, who serve Under the mighty king of the north, Appear and assist me in this task.
This speedy and quick appearance argues proof Of your accustom’d diligence to me. Now, ye familiar spirits, that are cull’d Out of the powerful regions under earth, Help me this once, that France may get the field.
This fast and sudden appearance shows proof Of your usual eagerness to help me. Now, you familiar spirits, who are chosen From the powerful realms beneath the earth, Help me this time, so France can win the battle.
O, hold me not with silence over-long! Where I was wont to feed you with my blood, I’ll lop a member off and give it you In earnest of further benefit, So you do condescend to help me now.
Oh, don’t leave me in silence for too long! Where I used to feed you with my blood, I’ll cut off a part of me and give it to you As a promise of more help, So long as you agree to aid me now.
No hope to have redress? My body shall Pay recompense, if you will grant my suit.
No hope for help? My body will Pay back the debt, if you will grant my request.
Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice Entreat you to your wonted furtherance? Then take my soul, my body, soul and all, Before that England give the French the foil.
Can’t my body or blood-sacrifice Appeal to you for your usual assistance? Then take my soul, my body, soul and all, Before England lets the French be defeated.
See, they forsake me! Now the time is come That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest And let her head fall into England’s lap. My ancient incantations are too weak, And hell too strong for me to buckle with: Now, France, thy glory droopeth to the dust.
Look, they leave me! Now the time has come For France to lower her proud, feathered crown And let her head fall into England’s hands. My old spells are too weak, And hell is too strong for me to fight: Now, France, your glory falls to the ground.
Damsel of France, I think I have you fast: Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms And try if they can gain your liberty. A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace! See, how the ugly wench doth bend her brows, As if with Circe she would change my shape!
Girl of France, I think I’ve got you now: Free your spirits now with magic charms And see if they can set you free. A fine prize, worthy of the devil’s favor! Look, how the ugly girl furrows her brow, As if she’d change my form like Circe!
Changed to a worser shape thou canst not be.
You can’t be changed into anything worse.
O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
Oh, Charles the Dauphin is a handsome man; No shape but his can please your delicate eye.
A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee! And may ye both be suddenly surprised By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!
A curse on Charles and on you! And may you both be struck down By bloody hands while you sleep in your beds!
Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue!
Wicked witch, sorceress, shut up!
I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile.
Please, let me curse for a while.
Curse, miscreant, when thou comest to the stake.
Curse all you want, villain, when you’re tied to the stake.
Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
Be whatever you want, you’re my prisoner now.
O fairest beauty, do not fear nor fly! For I will touch thee but with reverent hands; I kiss these fingers for eternal peace, And lay them gently on thy tender side. Who art thou? say, that I may honour thee.
Oh, fairest beauty, don’t be afraid or run away! For I will touch you with nothing but respectful hands; I kiss these fingers for eternal peace, And lay them gently on your soft side. Who are you? Tell me, so I can honor you.
Margaret my name, and daughter to a king, The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.
My name is Margaret, and I am the daughter of a king, The King of Naples, whoever you are.
An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call’d. Be not offended, nature’s miracle, Thou art allotted to be ta’en by me: So doth the swan her downy cygnets save, Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. Yet, if this servile usage once offend. Go, and be free again, as Suffolk’s friend.
I’m an earl, and I’m called Suffolk. Don’t be upset, you’re a miracle of nature, You’re meant to be taken by me: Just like a swan protects her young cygnets, Keeping them safe under her wings. But if this treatment offends you, Then go, and be free again, as Suffolk’s friend.
O, stay! I have no power to let her pass; My hand would free her, but my heart says no As plays the sun upon the glassy streams, Twinkling another counterfeited beam, So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes. Fain would I woo her, yet I dare not speak: I’ll call for pen and ink, and write my mind. Fie, de la Pole! disable not thyself; Hast not a tongue? is she not here? Wilt thou be daunted at a woman’s sight? Ay, beauty’s princely majesty is such, Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough.
Oh, wait! I can’t let her go; My hand would set her free, but my heart says no. Just like the sun shines on smooth water, Glimmering with a false reflection, That’s how this beautiful woman seems to me. I’d like to court her, but I can’t bring myself to speak: I’ll get pen and paper, and write down my feelings. Shame on you, de la Pole! Don’t hold yourself back; Don’t you have a voice? Isn’t she right here? Will you be scared just because she’s a woman? Yes, beauty’s royal power is so great, It silences the tongue and overwhelms the senses.
Say, Earl of Suffolk--if thy name be so-- What ransom must I pay before I pass? For I perceive I am thy prisoner.
Tell me, Earl of Suffolk—if that’s really your name— What ransom do I have to pay before I can leave? I realize I’m your prisoner.
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit, Before thou make a trial of her love?
How can you know she’ll turn down your offer, Before you even try to win her love?
Why speak’st thou not? what ransom must I pay?
Why don’t you answer me? What ransom do I owe?
She’s beautiful, and therefore to be woo’d; She is a woman, therefore to be won.
She’s beautiful, and so she should be courted; She’s a woman, and that means she can be won.
Wilt thou accept of ransom? yea, or no.
Will you accept ransom? Yes, or no.
Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife; Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?
Foolish man, remember you have a wife; So how can Margaret be your lover?
I were best to leave him, for he will not hear.
I’d better leave him; he won’t listen.
There all is marr’d; there lies a cooling card.
Everything is ruined now; there’s nothing to fix it.
He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
He’s talking nonsense; he must be mad.
And yet a dispensation may be had.
But maybe I can get permission for this.
And yet I would that you would answer me.
Still, I wish you’d just answer me.
I’ll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: tush, that’s a wooden thing!
I will win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king: oh, that’s just a trivial matter!
He talks of wood: it is some carpenter.
He’s talking about wood: he must be some carpenter.
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms But there remains a scruple in that too; For though her father be the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match.
But still, let me be sure, so my mind is at peace, And so that peace can be made between these kingdoms. But there’s still a problem with that too; Because even though her father is the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, he’s still poor, And our nobles will look down on the marriage.
Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?
Listen, captain, aren’t you free at the moment?
It shall be so, disdain they ne’er so much. Henry is youthful and will quickly yield. Madam, I have a secret to reveal.
It will be like that, no matter how much they look down on it. Henry is young and will quickly give in. Madam, I have something important to tell you.
What though I be enthrall’d? he seems a knight, And will not any way dishonour me.
What if I am trapped? He seems like a knight, And wouldn’t dishonor me in any way.
Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
My lady, please listen to what I have to say.
Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French; And then I need not crave his courtesy.
Maybe the French will rescue me; Then I won’t need to ask him for any favors.
Sweet madam, give me a hearing in a cause--
Sweet madam, please hear me out on this matter--
Tush, women have been captivate ere now.
Nonsense, women have been captured before.
Lady, wherefore talk you so?
Lady, why do you say that?
I cry you mercy, ’tis but Quid for Quo.
Forgive me, it’s just like a simple exchange.
Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a queen?
Tell me, gentle princess, wouldn’t you consider Your captivity happy, if it meant becoming a queen?
To be a queen in bondage is more vile Than is a slave in base servility; For princes should be free.
To be a queen in captivity is worse Than being a slave in lowly servitude; Because royals should be free.
And so shall you, If happy England’s royal king be free.
And so you will be, If the royal king of England is free.
Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
Why does his freedom matter to me?
I’ll undertake to make thee Henry’s queen, To put a golden sceptre in thy hand And set a precious crown upon thy head, If thou wilt condescend to be my--
I’ll make it my mission to make you Henry’s queen, To put a golden scepter in your hand And place a precious crown on your head, If you’ll agree to be mine--
What?
What?
His love.
His love.
I am unworthy to be Henry’s wife.
I don’t deserve to be Henry’s wife.
No, gentle madam; I unworthy am To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, And have no portion in the choice myself. How say you, madam, are ye so content?
No, dear lady; I am the one who is unworthy To ask such a beautiful woman to be his wife, And I have no say in the choice myself. What do you think, madam? Are you happy with this?
An if my father please, I am content.
If my father agrees, I’m happy with it.
Then call our captains and our colours forth. And, madam, at your father’s castle walls We’ll crave a parley, to confer with him.
Then call our leaders and our flags forward. And, madam, at your father’s castle gates We’ll ask for a meeting to talk with him.
See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner!
Look, Reignier, look, your daughter is a prisoner!
To whom?
To whom?
To me.
To me.
Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep, Or to exclaim on fortune’s fickleness.
Suffolk, what can be done? I’m a soldier, not someone who cries, Or complains about the unpredictability of fate.
Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: Consent, and for thy honour give consent, Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king; Whom I with pain have woo’d and won thereto; And this her easy-held imprisonment Hath gained thy daughter princely liberty.
Yes, there’s a solution, my lord: Agree, and in the name of your honor give your consent, Your daughter will be married to my king; Whom I’ve worked hard to woo and win for her; And this easy imprisonment of hers Has won your daughter her freedom as a princess.
Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
Is Suffolk speaking honestly?
Fair Margaret knows That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.
Beautiful Margaret knows That Suffolk doesn’t flatter, deceive, or lie.
Upon thy princely warrant, I descend To give thee answer of thy just demand.
I’ll come down on your royal authority To give you a proper answer to your request.
And here I will expect thy coming.
And here I’ll wait for you to come.
Welcome, brave earl, into our territories: Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.
Welcome, brave earl, to our land: Command whatever you wish in Anjou.
Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, Fit to be made companion with a king: What answer makes your grace unto my suit?
Thank you, Reignier, I’m glad to have such a beautiful daughter, Worthy of being the companion of a king: What answer do you have to my proposal?
Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth To be the princely bride of such a lord; Upon condition I may quietly Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou, Free from oppression or the stroke of war, My daughter shall be Henry’s, if he please.
Since you choose to court her, though she has little to offer, To be the noble bride of such a lord; On the condition that I may peacefully Keep my own land, the regions of Maine and Anjou, Free from any oppression or war, My daughter shall marry Henry, if he desires.
That is her ransom; I deliver her; And those two counties I will undertake Your grace shall well and quietly enjoy.
That’s her dowry; I accept her; And I’ll ensure that you will keep Those two regions, Maine and Anjou, in peace.
And I again, in Henry’s royal name, As deputy unto that gracious king, Give thee her hand, for sign of plighted faith.
And I, in Henry’s royal name, Acting as the representative of that noble king, Give you her hand, as a symbol of our promised faith.
Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks, Because this is in traffic of a king.
Reignier of France, I thank you royally, Because this is the business of a king.
And yet, methinks, I could be well content To be mine own attorney in this case. I’ll over then to England with this news, And make this marriage to be solemnized. So farewell, Reignier: set this diamond safe In golden palaces, as it becomes.
And yet, I think I’d be just as happy To handle this myself, without needing a lawyer. I’ll go to England with this news, And make sure this marriage happens. So goodbye, Reignier: keep this diamond safe In a golden palace, where it belongs.
I do embrace thee, as I would embrace The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.
I embrace you, as I would embrace The Christian king, Henry, if he were here.
Farewell, my lord: good wishes, praise and prayers Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret.
Goodbye, my lord: Suffolk will always have My good wishes, praise, and prayers.
Farewell, sweet madam: but hark you, Margaret; No princely commendations to my king?
Goodbye, sweet madam: but wait, Margaret; No royal praises for my king?
Such commendations as becomes a maid, A virgin and his servant, say to him.
The kind of praise that’s fitting for a maid, A virgin and his servant, that’s what I’ll say to him.
Words sweetly placed and modestly directed. But madam, I must trouble you again; No loving token to his majesty?
Words that are sweetly said and modestly directed. But madam, I must ask again; No affectionate token for his majesty?
Yes, my good lord, a pure unspotted heart, Never yet taint with love, I send the king.
Yes, my good lord, a pure untainted heart, Never touched by love, I send the king.
And this withal.
And this too.
That for thyself: I will not so presume To send such peevish tokens to a king.
That’s for you: I won’t be so bold As to send such silly gifts to a king.
O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay; Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth; There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk. Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise: Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount, And natural graces that extinguish art; Repeat their semblance often on the seas, That, when thou comest to kneel at Henry’s feet, Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.
Oh, if only you were for me! But Suffolk, wait; You can’t stray in that maze; There, monsters and ugly betrayals hide. Appeal to Henry with her amazing praise: Think about her virtues that surpass all, And natural gifts that outshine skill; Mention them often over the seas, So when you kneel at Henry’s feet, You can take his mind with awe and wonder.