The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 424

SCENE VII.

CHARLES, BURGUNDY, DUNOIS, DUCHATEL, and Soldiers.

BURGUNDY.

The trench is stormed!

DUNOIS.

The victory is ours!

CHARLES (perceiving TALBOT.) Look! Who is he, who yonder of the sun Taketh reluctant, sorrowful farewell?

His armor indicates no common man; Go, succor him, if aid may yet avail.

[Soldiers of the KING'S retinue step forward.

FASTOLFE.

Back! Stand apart! Respect the mighty dead, Whom ye in life ne'er ventured to approach!

BURGUNDY.

What do I see? Lord Talbot in his blood!

[He approaches him. TALBOT gazes fixedly at him, and dies.

FASTOLFE.

Traitor, avaunt! Let not the sight of thee Poison the dying hero's parting glance.

DUNOIS.

Resistless hero! Dread-inspiring Talbot!

Does such a narrow s.p.a.ce suffice thee now, And this vast kingdom could not satisfy The large ambition of thy giant soul!

Now first I can salute you, sire, as king: The diadem but tottered on your brow, While yet a spirit tenanted this clay.

CHARLES (after contemplating the body in silence).

A higher power hath vanquished him, not we!

He lies upon the soil of France, as lies The hero on the s.h.i.+eld he would not quit.

Well, peace be with his ashes! Bear him hence!

[Soldiers take up the body and carry it away.

Here in the heart of France, where his career Of conquest ended, let his relics lie!

So far no hostile sword attained before.

A fitting tomb shall memorize his name; His epitaph the spot whereon he fell.

FASTOLFE (yielding his sword).

I am your prisoner, sir.

CHARLES (returning his sword).

Not so! Rude war Respects each pious office; you are free To render the last honors to the dead, Go now, Duchatel--still my Agnes trembles-- Hasten to s.n.a.t.c.h her from anxiety-- Bring her the tidings of our victory, And usher her in triumph into Rheims!

[Exit DUCHATEL.

SCENE VIII.

The same. LA HIRE.

DUNOIS.

La Hire, where is the maiden?

LA HIRE.

That I ask Of you; I left her fighting by your side.

DUNOIS.

I thought she was protected by your arm, When I departed to a.s.sist the king.

BURGUNDY.

Not long ago I saw her banner wave Amidst the thickest of the hostile ranks.

DUNOIS.

Alas! where is she? Evil I forebode?

Come, let us haste to rescue her. I fear Her daring soul hath led her on too far; Alone she combats in the midst of foes, And without succor yieldeth to the crowd.

CHARLES.

Haste to her rescue!

LA HIRE.

Come!

BURGUNDY.

We follow all!

[Exit.

[They retire in haste. A deserted part of the battle-field. In the distance are seen the towers of Rheims illumined by the sun.

SCENE IX.

A KNIGHT in black armor, with closed visor. JOHANNA follows him to the front of the stage, where he stops and awaits her.

JOHANNA.

Deluder! now I see thy stratagem!

Thou hast deceitfully, through seeming flight, Allured me from the battle, doom and death Averting thus from many a British head.

Destruction now doth overtake thyself.

BLACK KNIGHT.

Why dost thou follow after me and track My steps with quenchless rage? I am not doomed To perish by thy hand.