by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
Translation by François-Victor Hugo (1828 - 1873)
Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to...
Language: English
JOAN LA PUCELLE Reignier, is't thou that thinkest to beguile me? Where is the Dauphin? Come, come from behind; I know thee well, though never seen before. Be not amazed, there's nothing hid from me: In private will I talk with thee apart. Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. REIGNIER She takes upon her bravely at first dash. JOAN LA PUCELLE Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter, My wit untrain'd in any kind of art. Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased To shine on my contemptible estate: Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs, And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks, God's mother deigned to appear to me And in a vision full of majesty Will'd me to leave my base vocation And free my country from calamity: Her aid she promised and assured success: In complete glory she reveal'd herself; And, whereas I was black and swart before, With those clear rays which she infused on me That beauty am I bless'd with which you see. Ask me what question thou canst possible, And I will answer unpremeditated: My courage try by combat, if thou darest, And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex. Resolve on this, thou shalt be fortunate, If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
About the headline (FAQ)
Excerpt from Henry VI, Part 1, Act I, Scene II.
Authorship:
- by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), no title, appears in Henry VI, Part I [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, [adaptation] ; composed by Elizabeth Walton Vercoe.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English [an adaptation]
- FRE French (Français) (François-Victor Hugo) , no title
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2019-02-23
Line count: 31
Word count: 220
René, est‑ce toi qui crois me mystifier...
Language: French (Français)  after the English
LA PUCELLE. René, est-ce toi qui crois me mystifier ? Où est le Dauphin ?… Allons, sors de ta retraite. Je te connais sans t’avoir jamais vu. Ne sois pas ébahi ; rien ne m’est caché. Je veux te parler en particulier. Écartez-vous, seigneurs, et laissez-nous seuls un moment. RENÉ. Pour son premier début, elle se comporte hardiment. LA PUCELLE. Dauphin, je suis, par ma naissance, la fille d’un berger, et mon esprit n’a été initié à aucune espèce d’art. Il a plu au ciel et à Notre-Dame-de-Grâce d’illuminer ma misérable condition. Un jour que je gardais mes tendres agneaux, exposant mes joues à la brillante chaleur du soleil, la mère de Dieu daigna m’apparaître, et, dans une vision pleine de majesté, m’enjoignit de quitter ma basse condition et d’affranchir mon pays de ses calamités. Elle me promit son aide et m’assura le succès : elle se révéla dans toute sa gloire ; jusque-là j’étais noire et basanée ; les rayons splendides qu’elle a répandus sur moi m’ont parée de cette beauté que vous me voyez. Adresse-moi toutes les questions possibles, et j’y répondrai à l’improviste. Éprouve mon courage, si tu l’oses, par le combat, et tu reconnaîtras que je suis au-dessus de mon sexe ! Sois-en convaincu, tu seras fortuné, si tu me reçois pour ta martiale compagne.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by François-Victor Hugo (1828 - 1873), no title [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), no title, appears in Henry VI, Part I
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2019-02-24
Line count: 31
Word count: 219