Charles here is military-focused and energized by the news that Talbot is dead. He's a better commander than a politician, but he's about to learn that in the 1460s, politics wins wars.
These news, my lords, may cheer our drooping spirits:
’Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French.
ALENÇON.
Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France,
And keep not back your powers in dalliance.
My lords, this news gives me hope. Paris is said to be rebelling and turning back to us. We should march there immediately and not delay.
This is good news. Paris wants to rejoin us. Let's move—no waiting.
paris rebels joins us let's move no delays
Pucelle is still boasting about her magical power and France's destiny. In the next scene, she'll be captured. Her confidence here makes her capture all the more humiliating.
Peace be amongst them, if they turn to us;
Else ruin combat with their palaces!
May they find peace if they turn to us. Otherwise, ruin will meet them at their walls.
If they join us, all is well. Otherwise, war.
join us be at peace refuse and burn
Success unto our valiant general,
And happiness to his accomplices!
I wish success to our brave general and happiness to all who serve him.
Good luck to our commander and all his soldiers.
success to our general
What tidings send our scouts? I prithee, speak.
What news do you bring from your scouts? Tell me.
What have you got for me?
what news from scouts
The English army, that divided was
Into two parties, is now conjoin’d in one,
And means to give you battle presently.
The English army, which was divided into two groups, has now united and will engage you in battle soon.
The English are combining their forces. They'll be ready to fight right away.
english united battle soon
Somewhat too sudden, sirs, the warning is;
But we will presently provide for them.
This warning comes very suddenly, but we'll be ready. We'll prepare our forces for them.
Fast warning, but we can handle it. We'll be ready.
sudden but we'll manage prepare forces
Burgundy's comment about Talbot being dead is the only thing keeping his courage up. He's not a coward, but he fears Talbot specifically. Now that Talbot is gone, Burgundy feels confident. This will turn out to be premature.
I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there.
Now he is gone, my lord, you need not fear.
I trust we won't have Talbot's ghost to haunt us. Now that he's dead, you need not fear anything.
Talbot's gone. We've got nothing to worry about now.
talbot's dead no fear wewin
Of all base passions, fear is most accursed.
Command the conquest, Charles, it shall be thine;
Let Henry fret and all the world repine.
Fear is the basest of all emotions. Charles, command the victory—it will be yours. Let Henry weep while the world rebels against him.
Fear is for cowards. You'll win, Charles. Henry can cry while everyone else turns against him.
fear is nothing victory is yours let henry weep while his world falls apart
Then on, my lords; and France be fortunate!
Then forward, my lords. May France be victorious!
Let's go. France will win.
forward france victory
The Reckoning
This is a short scene of military preparation and false confidence. The French believe they've won because Talbot is dead. But the scene happens right after Henry agrees to peace — meaning Charles and the English are about to negotiate. The military preparations will amount to nothing; the war is being won by Suffolk's marriage negotiation, not by swords. The scene shows that the play now operates on two levels: the surface level of military action (which no longer matters) and the deeper level of political maneuvering (which will reshape the kingdom). Pucelle's boastfulness here is almost pathetic — she thinks military victory is still the measure of things.
If this happened today…
An army general hears his enemy's greatest general is dead and begins planning a final invasion. Meanwhile, back in the capital, the peace negotiators are already agreeing to terms that will end the war without another battle. The general's military success becomes irrelevant because the outcome has already been determined by diplomacy.