Part 406 (2/2)
Before him on the ground I flung thy glove, And said: ”Thou wouldst forget thy majesty, And like a knight do battle for thy realm.”
He scornfully rejoined ”He needed not To fight for that which he possessed already, But if thou wert so eager for the fray, Before the walls of Orleans thou wouldst find him, Whither he purposed going on the morrow;”
Thereon he laughing turned his back upon me.
CHARLES.
Say, did not justice raise her sacred voice, Within the precincts of my parliament?
LA HIRE.
The rage of party, sire, hath silenced her.
An edict of the parliament declares Thee and thy race excluded from the throne.
DUNOIS.
These upstart burghers' haughty insolence!
CHARLES.
Hast thou attempted with my mother aught?
LA HIRE.
With her?
CHARLES.
Ay! How did she demean herself?
LA HIRE (after a few moments' reflection).
I chanced to step within St. Denis' walls Precisely at the royal coronation.
The crowds were dressed as for a festival; Triumphal arches rose in every street Through which the English monarch was to pa.s.s.
The way was strewed with flowers, and with huzzas, As France some brilliant conquest had achieved, The people thronged around the royal car.
SOREL.
They could huzza--huzza, while trampling thus Upon a gracious sovereign's loving heart!
LA HIRE.
I saw young Harry Lancaster--the boy-- On good St. Lewis' regal chair enthroned; On either side his haughty uncles stood, Bedford and Gloucester, and before him kneeled, To render homage for his lands, Duke Philip.
CHARLES.
Oh, peer dishonored! Oh, unworthy cousin!
LA HIRE.
The child was timid, and his footing lost As up the steps he mounted towards the throne.
An evil omen! murmured forth the crowd, And scornful laughter burst on every side.
Then forward stepped Queen Isabel--thy mother, And--but it angers me to utter it!
CHARLES.
Say on.
LA HIRE.
Within her arms she clasped the boy, And herself placed him on thy father's throne.
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