Act 3, Scene 2 — Henry VI, Part 1

The argument Joan of Arc leads French soldiers disguised as grain merchants into the fortress of Rouen. Once inside, she signals Charles's army with a burning torch, and the French capture the city. Talbot arrives too late and confronts the French on the walls, insulting them fiercely. But Joan's forces hold the city. In the end, the dying Duke of Bedford witnesses the recapture and dies satisfied that Talbot has retaken Rouen. Fastolf flees the battle in cowardice. The English eventually regain the city, and Talbot swears it will be held.

Enter La Pucelle with four Soldiers with sacks upon their backs.

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan plans siege deception

These are the city gates, the gates of Rouen,

Through which our policy must make a breach.

Take heed, be wary how you place your words;

Talk like the vulgar sort of market men

That come to gather money for their corn.

If we have entrance, as I hope we shall,

And that we find the slothful watch but weak,

I’ll by a sign give notice to our friends,

That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them.

These are Rouen's gates. We'll breach through cunning, not force. Talk like common farmers selling grain. If we get in and find the watch is weak, I'll signal Charles and we'll take the city.

Talk like farmers. Act normal. If we get past the guards, I'll signal Charles and he'll move in.

gates Rouen breech policy wary words vulgar market money corn entrance weak watch sign friends Dauphin

"" Strategy, tactical plan — Joan's scheme to infiltrate the city.

FIRST SOLDIER ≋ verse [character speaks]

Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city,

And we be lords and rulers over Rouen;

Therefore we’ll knock. [_Knocks._]

Our sacks will be a mean to sack the city, And we be lords and rulers over Rouen; Thbeforefore we’ll knock. [_Knocks._]

our sacks 'll be a mean to sack city, and we be lords and rulers over rouen; thbeforefore we’ll knock. [_knocks._]

our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city,

[_Within_.] _Qui est la?_

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan speaks to Rouen soldiers in French

_Paysans, la pauvres gens de France:_

Poor market folks that come to sell their corn.

Poor people of France selling corn.

Just poor people with grain to sell.

paysans pauvres gens France corn

Enter, go in; the market bell is rung.

PUCELLE Joan swears to take the city

Now, Rouen, I’ll shake thy bulwarks to the ground.

Rouen, I'll shake your walls down.

Rouen's falling.

shake bulwarks ground

[_Exeunt._]

Enter Charles, the Bastard of Orleans, Alençon, Reignier and forces.

CHARLES ≋ verse [character speaks]

Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem,

And once again we’ll sleep secure in Rouen.

Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem, And once again we’ll sleep secure in Rouen.

saint denis bless this happy stratagem, and once again we’ll sleep secure in rouen.

saint denis bless this happy stratagem, and once again we’ll

BASTARD ≋ verse [character speaks]

Here enter’d Pucelle and her practisants;

Now she is there, how will she specify

Here is the best and safest passage in?

Hbefore enter’d Pucelle and her practisants; Now she is thbefore, how will she specify Hbefore is the best and safest passage in?

hbefore enter’d pucelle and her practisants; now she is thbefore, how 'll she specify hbefore is best and safest passage in?

here enter’d pucelle and her practisants; now she is there,

REIGNIER ≋ verse [character speaks]

By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower,

Which, once discern’d, shows that her meaning is:

No way to that, for weakness, which she enter’d.

By thrusting out a torch from over there tower, Which, once discern’d, shows that her meaning is: No way to that, for weakness, which she enter’d.

by thrusting out a torch from over there tower, which, once discern’d, shows that her meaning is: no way to that, for weakness, which she enter’d.

by thrusting out a torch from yonder tower, which, once

Enter La Pucelle, on the top, thrusting out a torch burning.

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan describes the fire as wedding

Behold, this is the happy wedding torch

That joineth Rouen unto her countrymen,

But burning fatal to the Talbonites.

This fire joins Rouen back to France—but it's fatal to Talbot and his men.

Fire's burning Talbot out.

happy wedding torch Rouen countrymen burning fatal Talbots

"" Talbot's followers — used contemptuously by Joan.

[_Exit._]

BASTARD ≋ verse [character speaks]

See, noble Charles, the beacon of our friend;

The burning torch, in yonder turret stands.

See, noble Charles, the beacon of our friend; The burning torch, in over there turret stands.

see, noble charles, beacon of our friend; burning torch, in over there turret stands.

see, noble charles, the beacon of our friend; the burning

CHARLES ≋ verse [character speaks]

Now shine it like a comet of revenge,

A prophet to the fall of all our foes!

Now shine it like a comet of revenge, A prophet to the fall of all our foes!

now shine it like a comet of revenge, a prophet to fall of all our foes!

now shine it like a comet of revenge, a prophet

REIGNIER [character speaks]

Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends;

defer no time, delays have dangerous ends;

Enter and cry, “The Dauphin!” presently,

And then do execution on the watch.

[_Alarum. Exeunt._]

An alarum. Enter Talbot in an excursion.

First appearance

TALBOT

The English war machine — aggressive, insulting, relentless. He's furious at being outmaneuvered but maintains dignity. He swears oaths to retake the city and keeps them. He's a professional soldier, not a political player like Richard or Gloucester.

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

France, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears,

If Talbot but survive thy treachery.

Pucelle, that witch, that damned sorceress,

Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares,

That hardly we escaped the pride of France.

France, you shalt rue this treason with your tears, If Talbot but survive your treachery. Pucelle, that witch, that damned sorcbeforess, Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares, That hardly we escaped the pride of France.

france, you shalt rue this treason with your tears, if talbot but survive your treachery. pucelle, that witch, that damned sorcbeforess, hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares, that hardly we escaped pride of france.

france, thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears, if

[_Exit._]

An alarum. Excursions. Bedford, brought in sick in a chair. Enter

Talbot and Burgundy without: within, La Pucelle, Charles, Bastard,

Alençon, and Reignier on the walls.

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan taunts Burgundy with food pun

Good morrow, gallants! Want ye corn for bread?

I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast

Before he’ll buy again at such a rate.

’Twas full of darnel. Do you like the taste?

Want to buy corn? The Duke of Burgundy might be hungry—but not at this price! Too much darnel spoiled your last batch. How'd you like the taste?

Buy more corn? Burgundy can't afford it. And it's full of weeds anyway.

gallants corn bread Duke Burgundy fast buy rate darnel taste

"" A poisonous weed in grain — a symbol of corruption.

BURGUNDY ≋ verse Burgundy's threat to Joan

Scoff on, vile fiend and shameless courtezan!

I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own,

And make thee curse the harvest of that corn.

Stop mocking us, you shameless woman! I'll choke you with your own schemes and make you regret this.

Shut up, witch. I'm gonna make you pay for this.

scoff vile fiend shame courtezan choke harvest corn

"" A prostitute, or a woman of loose morals — a severe insult.

CHARLES [character speaks]

Your Grace may starve, perhaps, before that time.

your grace may starve, perhaps, before that time.

First appearance

BEDFORD

Dying but still fighting. He refuses to leave the field, citing the precedent of King Pendragon. He's the embodiment of old military honor — you don't flee when you're needed. He gets his reward: he sees victory before he dies.

BEDFORD [character speaks]

O, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason!

o, let no words, but deeds, revenge this treason!

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan mocks Burgundy's age

What will you do, good graybeard? Break a lance

And run a tilt at Death within a chair?

What will you do, old man? Joust on horseback in that chair and fight Death himself?

You're too old to fight, grandfather.

hot old graybeard lance tilt Death chair

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

Foul fiend of France and hag of all despite,

Encompass’d with thy lustful paramours,

Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age

And twit with cowardice a man half dead?

Damsel, I’ll have a bout with you again,

Or else let Talbot perish with this shame.

Foul fiend of France and hag of all despite, Encompass’d with your lustful paramours, Becomes it you to taunt his valiant age And twit with cowardice a man half dead? Damsel, I’ll have a bout with you again, Or else let Talbot perish with this shame.

foul fiend of france and hag of all despite, encompass’d with your lustful paramours, becomes it you to taunt his valiant age and twit with cowardice a man half dead? damsel, i’ll 've a bout with you again, or else let talbot perish with this shame.

foul fiend of france and hag of all despite, encompass’d

"" Lovers or companions — Talbot is suggesting Joan's soldiers are her sexual partners.

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan taunts about Talbot

Are ye so hot? Yet, Pucelle, hold thy peace;

If Talbot do but thunder, rain will follow.

You're angry. But if Talbot even grumbles, you'll all run like frightened mice.

Talbot scares you more than I do.

hot Talbot thunder rain

[_The English whisper together in council._]

God speed the Parliament! Who shall be the Speaker?

TALBOT [character speaks]

Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field?

dare ye come forth and meet us in the field?

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan questions their confidence

Belike your lordship takes us then for fools,

To try if that our own be ours or no.

Do you think we're fools, testing whether your city is even yours anymore?

What, you need to test if you still own your own city?

belike lordship fools try own

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

I speak not to that railing Hecate,

But unto thee, Alençon, and the rest;

Will ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out?

ALENÇON.

Seignieur, no.

I speak not to that railing Hecate, But unto you, Alençon, and the rest; Will ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out? ALENÇON. Seignieur, no.

i speak not to that railing hecate, but unto you, alençon, and rest; 'll ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out? alençon. seignieur, no.

i speak not to that railing hecate, but unto thee,

"" The goddess of witchcraft — calling Joan a witch-goddess.

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

Seignieur, hang! Base muleteers of France!

Like peasant foot-boys do they keep the walls,

And dare not take up arms like gentlemen.

Seignieur, hang! Base muleteers of France! Like peasant foot-boys do they keep the walls, And dare not take up arms like gentlemen.

seignieur, hang! base muleteers of france! like peasant foot-boys do they keep walls, and dare not take up arms like gentlemen.

seignieur, hang! base muleteers of france! like peasant foot-boys do

"" Mule drivers — peasants, not soldiers.

PUCELLE ≋ verse Joan orders retreat with swagger

Away, captains! Let’s get us from the walls,

For Talbot means no goodness by his looks.

Goodbye, my lord; we came but to tell you

That we are here.

Captains, let's go! Talbot looks ready to fight. Goodbye, my lord—we just came to say hello.

Talbot's coming. Time to go. We were just visiting.

away captains walls Talbot means goodness goodbye tell you

[_Exeunt from the walls._]

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

And there will we be too, ere it be long,

Or else reproach be Talbot’s greatest fame!

Vow, Burgundy, by honour of thy house,

Prick’d on by public wrongs sustain’d in France,

Either to get the town again or die.

And I, as sure as English Henry lives,

And as his father here was conqueror,

As sure as in this late-betrayed town

Great Coeur-de-lion’s heart was buried,

So sure I swear to get the town or die.

And thbefore will we be too, before it be long, Or else reproach be Talbot’s greatest fame! Vow, Burgundy, by honour of your house, Prick’d on by public wrongs sustain’d in France, Either to get the town again or die. And I, as sure as English Henry lives, And as his father hbefore was conqueror, As sure as in this late-betrayed town Great Coeur-de-lion’s heare was buried, So sure I swear to get the town or die.

and thbefore 'll we be too, before it be long, or else reproach be talbot’s greatest fame! vow, burgundy, by honour of your house, prick’d on by public wrongs sustain’d in france, either to get town again or die. and i, as sure as english henry lives, and as his father hbefore was conqueror, as sure as in this late-betrayed town great coeur-de-lion’s heare was buried, so sure i swear to get town or die.

and there will we be too, ere it be long,

"" Richard the Lionheart, whose heart was actually buried in Rouen.

Why it matters Talbot's oath connects past and present: Henry V conquered France, Richard the Lionheart is buried in Rouen. Talbot is invoking history to swear he'll restore English control. The oath is binding — he'll either recapture the city or die.

BURGUNDY Burgundy is swayed; sees Joan's nobility

My vows are equal partners with thy vows.

My oath is as sacred as yours.

My vow is good as any oath.

vows equal partners

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

But, ere we go, regard this dying prince,

The valiant Duke of Bedford. Come, my lord,

We will bestow you in some better place,

Fitter for sickness and for crazy age.

But, before we go, regard this dying prince, The valiant Duke of Bedford. Come, my lord, We will bestow you in some better place, Fitter for sickness and for crazy age.

but, before we go, regard this dying prince, valiant duke of bedford. come, my lord, we 'll bestow you in some better place, fitter for sickness and for crazy age.

but, ere we go, regard this dying prince, the valiant

"" Infirm, feeble — old age combined with illness.

BEDFORD ≋ verse [character speaks]

Lord Talbot, do not so dishonour me.

Here will I sit before the walls of Rouen,

And will be partner of your weal or woe.

Lord Talbot, do not so dishonour me. Hbefore will I sit before the walls of Rouen, And will be parener of your weal or woe.

lord talbot, do not so dishonour me. hbefore 'll i sit before walls of rouen, and 'll be parener of your weal or woe.

lord talbot, do not so dishonour me. here will i

"" Good fortune or bad — Bedford is saying he'll be present for either outcome.

BURGUNDY Burgundy turns to persuade Bedford

Courageous Bedford, let us now persuade you.

Let's convince Bedford to abandon England's cause.

Come on, let's talk Bedford into switching sides.

courageous Bedford persuade

BEDFORD ≋ verse [character speaks]

Not to be gone from hence; for once I read

That stout Pendragon in his litter sick

Came to the field and vanquished his foes.

Methinks I should revive the soldiers’ hearts,

Because I ever found them as myself.

Not to be gone from hence; for once I read That stout Pendragon in his litter sick Came to the field and vanquished his foes. Methinks I should revive the soldiers’ heares, Because I ever found them as myself.

not to be gone from hence; for once i read that stout pendragon in his litter sick came to field and vanquished his foes. methinks i should revive soldiers’ heares, because i ever found them as myself.

not to be gone from hence; for once i read

"" A legendary British king, famous for his bravery.

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

Undaunted spirit in a dying breast!

Then be it so. Heavens keep old Bedford safe!

And now no more ado, brave Burgundy,

But gather we our forces out of hand

And set upon our boasting enemy.

Undaunted spirit in a dying breast! Then be it so. Heavens keep old Bedford safe! And now no more ado, brave Burgundy, But gather we our forces out of hand And set upon our boasting enemy.

undaunted spirit in a dying breast! then be it so. heavens keep old bedford safe! and now no more ado, brave burgundy, but gather we our forces out of hand and set upon our boasting enemy.

undaunted spirit in a dying breast! then be it so.

[_Exeunt all but Bedford and Attendants._]

An alarum. Excursions. Enter Sir John Fastolf and a Captain.

CAPTAIN [character speaks]

Whither away, Sir John Fastolf, in such haste?

whither away, sir john fastolf, in such haste?

FASTOLF ≋ verse [character speaks]

Whither away? To save myself by flight.

We are like to have the overthrow again.

Where away? To save myself by flight. We are like to have the overthrow again.

where away? to save myself by flight. we are like to 've overthrow again.

whither away? to save myself by flight. we are like

CAPTAIN [character speaks]

What! Will you fly, and leave Lord Talbot?

what! will you fly, and leave lord talbot?

FASTOLF ≋ verse [character speaks]

Ay,

All the Talbots in the world, to save my life.

Ay, All the Talbots in the world, to save my life.

ay, all talbots in world, to save my life.

ay, all the talbots in the world, to save my

Why it matters Fastolf's cowardice is absolute and shameless. He abandons the greatest general of the age to save himself. This will haunt him forever — he becomes synonymous with cowardice.

[_Exit._]

CAPTAIN [character speaks]

Cowardly knight, ill fortune follow thee!

Cowardly knight, ill fortune follow you!

cowardly knight, ill fortune follow you!

[_Exit._]

Retreat. Excursions. La Pucelle, Alençon and Charles fly.

BEDFORD ≋ verse [character speaks]

Now, quiet soul, depart when heaven please,

For I have seen our enemies’ overthrow.

What is the trust or strength of foolish man?

They that of late were daring with their scoffs

Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves.

Now, quiet soul, depare when heaven please, For I have seen our enemies’ overthrow. What is the trust or strength of foolish man? They that of late wbefore daring with their scoffs Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves.

now, quiet soul, depare when heaven please, for i 've seen our enemies’ overthrow. what is trust or strength of foolish man? they that of late wbefore daring with their scoffs are glad and fain by flight to save themselves.

now, quiet soul, depart when heaven please, for i have

Why it matters Bedford's death is the scene's emotional climax. He gets his wish: to see the English retake Rouen. He dies satisfied, having stayed true to his oath to fight alongside Talbot. He's the play's ideal of duty.

[_Bedford dies, and is carried in by two in his chair._]

An alarum. Enter Talbot, Burgundy and the rest.

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

Lost, and recover’d in a day again!

This is a double honour, Burgundy.

Yet heavens have glory for this victory!

Lost, and recover’d in a day again! This is a double honour, Burgundy. Yet heavens have glory for this victory!

lost, and recover’d in a day again! this is a double honour, burgundy. yet heavens 've glory for this victory!

lost, and recover’d in a day again! this is a

BURGUNDY ≋ verse Burgundy's flattery of Talbot turns mercenary

Warlike and martial Talbot, Burgundy

Enshrines thee in his heart, and there erects

Thy noble deeds as valour’s monuments.

Great Talbot, even though you're my enemy, I admire your valor. Your deeds will be monuments to courage.

Talbot, you're an incredible warrior. I respect you—on the other side.

warlike martial Talbot Burgundy enshrine heart erect noble deeds valor monuments

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

Thanks, gentle Duke. But where is Pucelle now?

I think her old familiar is asleep.

Now where’s the Bastard’s braves, and Charles his gleeks?

What, all amort? Rouen hangs her head for grief

That such a valiant company are fled.

Now will we take some order in the town,

Placing therein some expert officers,

And then depart to Paris to the King,

For there young Henry with his nobles lie.

Thanks, gentle Duke. But whbefore is Pucelle now? I think her old familiar is asleep. Now whbefore’s the Bastard’s braves, and Charles his gleeks? What, all amort? Rouen hangs her head for grief That such a valiant company are fled. Now will we take some order in the town, Placing thbeforein some expert officers, And then depare to Paris to the King, For thbefore young Henry with his nobles lie.

thanks, gentle duke. but whbefore is pucelle now? i think her old familiar is asleep. now whbefore’s bastard’s braves, and charles his gleeks? what, all amort? rouen hangs her head for grief that such a valiant company are fled. now 'll we take some order in town, placing thbeforein some expert officers, and then depare to paris to king, for thbefore young henry with his nobles lie.

thanks, gentle duke. but where is pucelle now? i think

"" A demon or spirit companion — Talbot is suggesting Joan's magic is supernatural.

"" Jeers, taunts — the boasts and mocking are gone.

"" Lifeless, spiritless — dejected.

BURGUNDY Burgundy submits to Joan's will

What wills Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy.

Whatever Talbot wants, I'll do.

Whatever Talbot says.

wills Talbot pleaseth Burgundy

TALBOT ≋ verse [character speaks]

But yet, before we go, let’s not forget

The noble Duke of Bedford late deceased,

But see his exequies fulfill’d in Rouen.

A braver soldier never couched lance,

A gentler heart did never sway in court;

But kings and mightiest potentates must die,

For that’s the end of human misery.

But yet, before we go, let’s not forget The noble Duke of Bedford late deceased, But see his exequies fulfill’d in Rouen. A braver soldier never couched lance, A gentler heare did never sway in court; But kings and mightiest potentates must die, For that’s the end of human misery.

but yet, before we go, let’s not forget noble duke of bedford late deceased, but see his exequies fulfill’d in rouen. a braver soldier never couched lance, a gentler heare did never sway in court; but kings and mightiest potentates must die, for that’s end of human misery.

but yet, before we go, let’s not forget the noble

"" Funeral rites.

"" To lower a lance for combat — a military gesture.

Why it matters Talbot's epitaph for Bedford is the scene's final word. He transforms the military victory into a moment of reflection on mortality. Bedford achieved his goal — to see victory — and now Talbot will ensure he's remembered with honor. The scene moves from tactical triumph to philosophical acceptance of death.

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

This scene is pure military theater — a shift from court politics to battlefield action. It shows Joan at her most cunning and dangerous: she's not a mystical warrior-saint here, she's a tactical genius. Her disguise stratagem works perfectly. But the scene's emotional weight comes from Bedford's death: a dying old soldier gets to see victory one last time before he dies. The battle tests loyalty (Bedford refuses to leave), courage (Talbot fights on), and cowardice (Fastolf flees). By the end, the city changes hands again, but at the cost of Bedford's life. The military advantage is now in motion, but England has lost one of its greatest generals.

If this happened today…

A military base is infiltrated by enemy soldiers disguised as contractors. They signal reinforcements, the base is nearly overrun. An old general, terminally ill, insists on staying in his command center during the battle. He watches his forces retake the base and dies satisfied. A junior officer abandons his post to save himself. The old general's final act is to order the base secured and a memorial for the fallen.

Continue to 3.3 →