University of Virginia Library

Scene i

Bretagne. Camp of the English.
Forces under the Earl of Salisbury; Salisbury's Tent. Enter Salisbury; to him, Lord Mountford, attended, a coronet in his hand.

Mountford
My Lord of Salisbury, since by your aid
Mine enemy Sir Charles of Blois is slain,
And I again am quietly possess'd
In Britain's dukedom, know that I resolve,
For this kind furth'rance of your king and you,
To swear allegiance to his majesty:
In sign whereof, receive this coronet.
Bear it unto him, and withal mine oath,
Never to be but Edward's faithful friend.

Salisbury
I take it, Mountford: thus, I hope, ere long
The whole dominions of the realm of France
Will be surrender'd to his conquering hand.
Exeunt Mountford and Train.
Now, if I knew but safely how to pass,
I would to Calice gladly meet his grace,
Whither I am by letters certified
That he intends to have his host remov'd.
It shall be so : this policy will serve : —
Ho, who's within? Bring Villiers to me.—
Enter Villiers.
Villiers, thou know'st, thou art my prisoner,
And that I might for ransom, if I would,
Require of thee a hundred thousand franks,
Or else retain and keep thee captive still:
But so it is, that for a smaller charge
Thou may'st be quit, an if thou wilt thyself;
And this it is, procure me but a passport
Of Charles the Duke of Normandy, that I
Without restraint may have recourse to Calice
Through all the countries where he hath to do,
(Which thou may'st easily obtain, I think,
By reason I have often heard thee say,
He and thyself were students once together)
And then thou shalt be set at liberty.
How say'st thou? wilt thou undertake to do it?

Villiers
I will, my lord; but I must speak with him.

Salisbury
Why, so thou shalt; take horse, and post from hence:
Only, before thou go'st, swear by thy faith
That, if thou canst not compass my desire,
Thou wilt return my prisoner back again;
And that shall be sufficient warrant for me.

Villiers
To that condition I agree, my lord,
And will unfeignedly perform the same.

Salisbury
Farewell, Villiers.—
Exit Villiers
This once I mean to try a Frenchman's faith.