The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 435

[To JOHANNA.

Drink, n.o.ble maiden! may G.o.d bless it to you!

CHARCOAL-BURNER (to his son).

Art come, Anet? What news?

[The boy looks at JOHANNA, who is just raising the bowl to her lips; he recognizes her, steps forward, and s.n.a.t.c.hes it from her.

BOY.

Oh, mother! mother!

Whom do you entertain? This is the witch Of Orleans!

CHARCOAL-BURNER (and his WIFE).

G.o.d be gracious to our souls!

[They cross themselves and fly.

SCENE IV.

RAIMOND, JOHANNA.

JOHANNA (calmly and gently) Thou seest, I am followed by the curse, And all fly from me. Do thou leave me, too; Seek safety for thyself.

RAIMOND.

I leave thee! now Alas, who then would bear thee company?

JOHANNA.

I am not unaccompanied. Thou hast Heard the loud thunder rolling o'er my head-- My destiny conducts me. Do not fear; Without my seeking I shall reach the goal.

RAIMOND.

And whither wouldst thou go? Here stand our foes, Who have against thee b.l.o.o.d.y vengeance sworn-- There stand our people who have banished thee.

JOHANNA.

Naught will befall me but what heaven ordains.

RAIMOND.

Who will provide thee food? and who protect thee From savage beasts, and still more savage men?

Who cherish thee in sickness and in grief?

JOHANNA.

I know all roots and healing herbs; my sheep Taught me to know the poisonous from the wholesome.

I understand the movements of the stars, And the clouds' flight; I also hear the sound Of hidden springs. Man hath not many wants, And nature richly ministers to life.

RAIMOND (seizing her hand).

Wilt thou not look within? Oh, wilt thou not Repent thy sin, be reconciled to G.o.d, And to the bosom of the church return?

JOHANNA.

Thou hold'st me guilty of this heavy sin?

RAIMOND.

Needs must I--thou didst silently confess----

JOHANNA.

Thou, who hast followed me in misery, The only being who continued true, Who slave to me when all the world forsook, Thou also hold'st me for a reprobate Who hath renounced her G.o.d---- [RAIMOND is silent.

Oh, this is hard!

RAIMOND (in astonishment).

And thou wert really then no sorceress?

JOHANNA.

A sorceress!

RAIMOND.

And all these miracles Thou hast accomplished through the power of G.o.d And of his holy saints?

JOHANNA.

Through whom besides?

RAIMOND.

And thou wert silent to that fearful charge?

Thou speakest now, and yet before the king, When words would have availed thee, thou wert dumb!

JOHANNA.

I silently submitted to the doom Which G.o.d, my lord and master, o'er me hung.

RAIMOND.

Thou couldst not to thy father aught reply?

JOHANNA.

Coming from him, methought it came from G.o.d; And fatherly the chastis.e.m.e.nt will prove.

RAIMOND.

The heavens themselves bore witness to thy guilt!

JOHANNA.

The heavens spoke, and therefore I was silent.

RAIMOND.

Thou with one word couldst clear thyself, and hast In this unhappy error left the world?

JOHANNA.

It was no error--'twas the will of heaven.

RAIMOND.

Thou innocently sufferedst this shame, And no complaint proceeded from thy lips!

--I am amazed at thee, I stand o'erwhelmed.

My heart is troubled in its inmost depths.

Most gladly I receive the word as truth, For to believe thy guilt was hard indeed.