Resolve on this ; — thou shalt be fortunate
If thou recfeive me for thy warlike mate.
Char. Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high
terms.
Only this proof I'll of thy valour make :
In single combat thou shalt buckle with me.
And if thou vanquishest, thy words are true ;
Otherwise I renounce aU confidence.
Puc. I am prepar'd. Here is my keen-edg'd
sword,
Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side :



SC. II. KING HENRY VI. 161

The which, at Touraine, in Saint Katharine's church-
yard,
Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth.
Char. Then come, o' God's name : I fear no wo-
man.
Puc. And, while I live, I'll ne'er fly from a man.
IThey fight.
Char. Stay, stay thy hands ! thou art an Amazon,
And fightest with the sword of Deborah.
Puc. Christ's mother helps me, else I were too

weak.
Char. Whoe'er helps thee, 'tis thou that must
help me.
Impatiently I burn with thy desire ;
My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.
Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so.
Let me thy servant, and not sovereign, be :
'Tis the French Dolphin sueth to thee thus.
Puc. I must not yield to any rites of love,
For my profession's sacred, from above :
When I have chased all thy foes from hence.
Then wiU I think upon a recompense.
Char. Mean time look gracious on thy prostrate

thrall.
Reig. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.
Alen. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her
smock ;
Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.
