Speeches (Lines) for Duke of Alencon
in "Henry VI, Part I"
Total: 18

1

I,2,199

Charles, King of France. Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens
So in the earth, to this day is not known:
Late did he shine upon the English side;
Now we are victors; upon us he smiles.
What towns of any moment but we have?
At pleasure here we lie near Orleans;
Otherwhiles the famish'd English, like pale ghosts,
Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.

Duke of Alencon. They want their porridge and their fat bull-beeves:
Either they must be dieted like mules
And have their provender tied to their mouths
Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.

2

I,2,222

Reignier. Salisbury is a desperate homicide;
He fighteth as one weary of his life.
The other lords, like lions wanting food,
Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.

Duke of Alencon. Froissart, a countryman of ours, records,
England all Olivers and Rowlands bred,
During the time Edward the Third did reign.
More truly now may this be verified;
For none but Samsons and Goliases
It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten!
Lean, raw-boned rascals! who would e'er suppose
They had such courage and audacity?

3

I,2,238

Reignier. I think, by some odd gimmors or device
Their arms are set like clocks, stiff to strike on;
Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do.
By my consent, we'll even let them alone.

Duke of Alencon. Be it so.

4

I,2,318

Reignier. My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.

Duke of Alencon. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock;
Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.

5

I,2,321

Reignier. Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean?

Duke of Alencon. He may mean more than we poor men do know:
These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.

6

I,2,345

Charles, King of France. Was Mahomet inspired with a dove?
Thou with an eagle art inspired then.
Helen, the mother of great Constantine,
Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters, were like thee.
Bright star of Venus, fall'n down on the earth,
How may I reverently worship thee enough?

Duke of Alencon. Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.

7

I,6,643

Reignier. Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town?
Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires
And feast and banquet in the open streets,
To celebrate the joy that God hath given us.

Duke of Alencon. All France will be replete with mirth and joy,
When they shall hear how we have play'd the men.

8

II,1,710

Sentinels. Arm! arm! the enemy doth make assault!
[Cry: 'St. George,' 'A Talbot.']
[The French leap over the walls in their shirts.]
Enter, several ways, the BASTARD OF ORLEANS,
ALENCON, and REIGNIER, half ready, and half unready]

Duke of Alencon. How now, my lords! what, all unready so?

9

II,1,714

Reignier. 'Twas time, I trow, to wake and leave our beds,
Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors.

Duke of Alencon. Of all exploits since first I follow'd arms,
Ne'er heard I of a warlike enterprise
More venturous or desperate than this.

10

II,1,719

Reignier. If not of hell, the heavens, sure, favour him.

Duke of Alencon. Here cometh Charles: I marvel how he sped.

11

II,1,735

Charles, King of France. Duke of Alencon, this was your default,
That, being captain of the watch to-night,
Did look no better to that weighty charge.

Duke of Alencon. Had all your quarters been as safely kept
As that whereof I had the government,
We had not been thus shamefully surprised.

12

III,2,1521

Lord Talbot/Earl of Shrewsbury. I speak not to that railing Hecate,
But unto thee, Alencon, and the rest;
Will ye, like soldiers, come and fight it out?

Duke of Alencon. Signior, no.

13

III,3,1619

Bastard of Orleans. Search out thy wit for secret policies,
And we will make thee famous through the world.

Duke of Alencon. We'll set thy statue in some holy place,
And have thee reverenced like a blessed saint:
Employ thee then, sweet virgin, for our good.

14

III,3,1630

Charles, King of France. Ay, marry, sweeting, if we could do that,
France were no place for Henry's warriors;
Nor should that nation boast it so with us,
But be extirped from our provinces.

Duke of Alencon. For ever should they be expulsed from France
And not have title of an earldom here.

15

III,3,1698

Bastard of Orleans. And doth beget new courage in our breasts.

Duke of Alencon. Pucelle hath bravely play'd her part in this,
And doth deserve a coronet of gold.

16

V,2,2426

Charles, King of France. These news, my lord, may cheer our drooping spirits:
'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French.

Duke of Alencon. Then march to Paris, royal Charles of France,
And keep not back your powers in dalliance.

17

V,4,2808

Winchester. Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus:
That, in regard King Henry gives consent,
Of mere compassion and of lenity,
To ease your country of distressful war,
And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,
You shall become true liegemen to his crown:
And Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear
To pay him tribute, submit thyself,
Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him,
And still enjoy thy regal dignity.

Duke of Alencon. Must he be then as shadow of himself?
Adorn his temples with a coronet,
And yet, in substance and authority,
Retain but privilege of a private man?
This proffer is absurd and reasonless.

18

V,4,2834

Reignier. My lord, you do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract:
If once it be neglected, ten to one
We shall not find like opportunity.

Duke of Alencon. To say the truth, it is your policy
To save your subjects from such massacre
And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen
By our proceeding in hostility;
And therefore take this compact of a truce,
Although you break it when your pleasure serves.