William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, First Part

ACT FIFTH 4. SCENE IV. Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou. (continued)

PUCELLE.
First, let me tell you whom you have condemn'd:
Not me begotten of a shepherd swain,
But issued from the progeny of kings;
Virtuous and holy; chosen from above,
By inspiration of celestial grace,
To work exceeding miracles on earth.
I never had to do with wicked spirits:
But you, that are polluted with your lusts,
Stain'd with the guiltless blood of innocents,
Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices,
Because you want the grace that others have,
You judge it straight a thing impossible
To compass wonders but by help of devils.
No, misconceived! Joan of Arc hath been
A virgin from her tender infancy,
Chaste and immaculate in very thought;
Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effused,
Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.

YORK.
Aye, aye: away with her to execution!

WARWICK.
And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid,
Spare for no faggots, let there be enow:
Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,
That so her torture may be shortened.

PUCELLE.
Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?
Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity,
That warranteth by law to be thy privilege.
I am with child, ye bloody homicides:
Murder not then the fruit within my womb,
Although ye hale me to a violent death.

YORK.
Now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child!

WARWICK.
The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought:
Is all your strict preciseness come to this?

YORK.
She and the Dauphin have been juggling:
I did imagine what would be her refuge.

WARWICK.
Well, go to; we'll have no bastards live;
Especially since Charles must father it.

PUCELLE.
You are deceived; my child is none of his:
It was Alencon that enjoy'd my love.

YORK.
Alencon! that notorious Machiavel!
It dies, an if it had a thousand lives.

PUCELLE.
O, give me leave, I have deluded you:
'Twas neither Charles nor yet the duke I named,
But Reignier, king of Naples, that prevail'd.