nigh achieved, And madly now would you renounce your work? Here stand your allies. Your salvation lies In an indissoluble bond with England? BURGUNDY. Far is my thought from treaty with the Dauphin; But the contempt and insolent demeanor Of haughty England I will not endure. ISABEL. Come, noble duke? Excuse a hasty word. Heavy the grief which bows the general down, And well you know misfortune makes unjust. Come! come! embrace; let me this fatal breach Repair at once, ere it becomes eternal. TALBOT. What think you, Burgundy? A noble heart, By reason vanquished, doth confess its fault. A wise and prudent word the queen hath spoken; Come, let my hand with friendly pressure heal The wound inflicted by my angry tongue. BURGUNDY. Discreet the counsel offered by the queen! My just wrath yieldeth to necessity. ISABEL.    'Tis well! Now, with a brotherly embrace Confirm and seal the new-established bond; And may the winds disperse what hath been spoken.        [BURGUNDY and TALBOT embrace. LIONEL (contemplating the group aside). Hail to an union by the furies planned! ISABEL. Fate hath proved adverse, we have lost a battle, But do not, therefore, let your courage sink. The Dauphin, in despair of heavenly aid, Doth make alliance with the powers of hell; Vainly his soul he forfeits to the devil, For hell itself cannot deliver him. A conquering maiden leads the hostile force; Yours, I myself will lead; to you I'll stand In place of maiden or of prophetess. LIONEL. Madame, return to Paris! We desire To war with trusty weapons, not with women. TALBOT. GO! go! Since your arrival in the camp, Fortune hath fled our banners, and our course Hath still been retrograde. Depart at once! BURGUNDY. Your presence here doth scandalize the host. ISABEL (looks from one to the other with astonishment). This, Burgundy, from you? Do you take part Against me with these thankless English lords? BURGUNDY. Go! go! The thought of combating for you Unnerves the courage of the bravest men. ISABEL. I scarce among you have established peace, And you already form a league against me! TALBOT. Go, in God's name. When you have left the camp No devil will again appal our troops. ISABEL. Say, am I not your true confederate? Are we not banded in a common cause? TALBOT. Thank God! your cause of quarrel is not ours. We combat in an honorable strife. BURGUNDY. A father's bloody murder I avenge. Stern filial duty consecrates my arms. TALBOT. Confess at once. Your conduct towards the Dauphin Is an offence alike to God and man. ISABEL. Curses blast him and his posterity!    

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