Auvergne. The Castle.
 Enter the COUNTESS and her PORTER.

Countess	Porter, remember what I gave in charge;
	And when you have done so, bring the keys to me.

Porter	Madam, I will.
													[Exit.
Countess	The plot is laid; if all things fall out right,
	I shall as famous be by this exploit
	As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death.
	Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight,
	And his achievements of no less account.
	Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
	To give their censure of these rare reports.

                     Enter her MESSENGER and TALBOT.

Messenger	Madam, according as your ladyship desired,
	By message craved, so is Lord Talbot come.

Countess	And he is welcome. What, is this the man?

Messenger	Madam, it is.

Countess					Is this the scourge of France?
	Is this the Talbot so much feared abroad
	That with his name the mothers still their babes?
	I see report is fabulous and false.
	I thought I should have seen some Hercules,
	A second Hector, for his grim aspect
	And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs.
	Alas, this is a child, a silly dwarf!
	It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
	Should strike such terror to his enemies.

Talbot	Madam, I have been bold to trouble you;
	But since your ladyship is not at leisure,
	I'll sort some other time to visit you.
													[Going.
Countess	What means he now? Go ask him whither he goes.

Messenger	Stay, my Lord Talbot, for my lady craves
	To know the cause of your abrupt departure.

Talbot	Marry, for that she's in a wrong belief,
	I go to certify her Talbot's here.

                        Re-enter PORTER with keys.

Countess	If thou be he, then art thou prisoner.

Talbot	Prisoner! To whom?

Countess							To me, bloodthirsty lord;
	And for that cause I trained thee to my house.
	Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me,
	For in my gallery thy picture hangs;
	But now the substance shall endure the like,
	And I will chain these legs and arms of thine,
	That hast by tyranny these many years
	Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
	And sent our sons and husbands captivate.

Talbot	Ha, ha, ha!

Countess	Laughest thou, wretch? Thy mirth shall turn to moan.

Talbot	I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
	To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow
	Whereon to practise your severity.

Countess	Why, art not thou the man?

Talbot								I am indeed.

Countess	Then have I substance too.

Talbot	No, no, I am but shadow of myself:
	You are deceived, my substance is not here;
	For what you see is but the smallest part
	And least proportion of humanity.
	I tell you, madam, were the whole frame here,
	It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
	Your roof were not sufficient to contain't.

Countess	This is a riddling merchant for the nonce:
	He will be here, and yet he is not here.
	How can these contrarieties agree?

Talbot	That will I show you presently.

         He winds his horn; drums strike up; a peal of ordnance.
                         Enter English SOLDIERS.

	How say you, madam? Are you now persuaded
	That Talbot is but shadow of himself?
	These are his substance, sinews, arms, and strength,
	With which he yoketh your rebellious necks,
	Razeth your cities, and subverts your towns,
	And in a moment makes them desolate.

Countess	Victorious Talbot, pardon my abuse:
	I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited,
	And more than may be gathered by thy shape.
	Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath,
	For I am sorry that with reverence
	I did not entertain thee as thou art.

Talbot	Be not dismayed, fair lady, nor misconster
	The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
	The outward composition of his body.
	What you have done hath not offended me;
	Nor other satisfaction do I crave
	But only, with your patience, that we may
	Taste of your wine and see what cates you have;
	For soldiers' stomachs always serve them well.

Countess	With all my heart, and think me honourd
	To feast so great a warrior in my house.
													[Exeunt.
