Returned! How met
The haughty occupant of our own place
The offer tendered him?
Xaint. As one who holds
The game already in his hands may hear
His adversary's scheme to share the stake.
"I am not one," he said, "to beat the bush
That others may secure the birds. Ere Orleans
Can be sequestered, we must see good title
To execute the deed; Bedford, not Burgundy,
Must hold that city for his liege and lord."
Cha. Fool that we were to court such insolence!
But yet perhaps 'tis only what ourselves
Had, in like circumstances, said more rudely.
Alen. Will not your grace resent the indignity?
Cha. But how? words are but poor revenge;
And words are all we boast. We will retire
To Dauphiné.
Omnes. To Dauphiné!
Alen. You jest.
You cannot mean—
Cha. We've said, and mean it too.
Fear not, my friends, we'll lead a joyous life.
War we will have, as dappled deer shall find,
A court midst sylvan shades, not lacking beauty,
Though of but rural kind, to cheer our toils.
Alen. (aside. Will nought correct this levity of speech?
Xaintrailles himself, though not a whit more staid,
Is by his thoughtless master shamed to gravity.)
Your grace forgets the maid from Domremie
Doth wait an audience.
Cha. We much regret,
My lord, our weak compliance with such folly.