Joan of Arc Part 18

XAINT. Thou'rt wounded!

JOAN. Heed it not! tarry no longer; 'Tis of slight moment. Du Nois!--this faintness-- Leave me here. Cut through thy way to join him, And all may yet be well!

XAINT. 'Tis our last chance.

JOAN. Save him, Heaven! never more shall I behold him!

Oh! I am faint almost to death!

[_Leans on a tree._

_Enter ENGLISH OFFICERS and SOLDIERS._

OFF. 'Tis she!

Yield thee our prisoner!

JOAN. Never whilst strength Remains. (_s.h.i.+elds herself._)

OFF. Seize her!

JOAN. Stand off! nor dare to touch me!

My life, if Heaven have so decreed, be yours; Free have I lived! free will I die!

[_As she is beaten on her knees VALANCOUR enters._

VAL. Forbear!

JOAN. It is too late! deserved I this? I pardon-- [_Faints--the Soldiers bear her off._

_Enter DU NOIS._

DU N. Turn, traitor! villain!

Stand on thy guard!

VAL. Seekst thou revenge!--'tis thine!

Here in the shout that rings upon my ear, Here in the glance that curst me with forgiveness.

I will not fight with thee, Du Nois! nor will I face an honourable man again.

[_Exit._

DU NOIS. Go to thy fate!

While I will never sheathe this sword till I Have rescued or avenged her!

END OF THE FOURTH ACT.

ACT V.

SCENE I.

CHARLES. LOUVEL. BERTHA.

CHA. We need no supplication from a friend: Thine own desire to pluck her from such fate Is not more strong than ours. But what devise?

LOU. In truth, your grace, I know not what to urge.

BER. Thou wilt not leave her! Make not one attempt!

LOU. Pardon, my liege, the vehemence of grief: Terror will oft, unconscious of offence, Start forth before respect.

BER. Oh! forgive me.

CHA. Shame on the heart that needs excuse for words Drawn forth by sudden anguish. Banish fear.

If aught within our power can rescue her, No matter what the cost, she shall be freed!

Ourself will write to Bedford.

LOU. But in vain.

CHA. That shall be proved. The offer we will make, E'en policy like his may scorn the slighting.

Retire;--rely upon thy monarch's word:-- Doth this not comfort thee?

BER. Alas! the hope Such promise brings burns bright, but quickly dies!

CHA. And is our honour doubted?

BER. No, my liege, The fault lies here. I would, but cannot smile, Yet bless thee for the hope which finds no home.

[_Exit._

CHA. Prepare a faithful messenger, and charge He give the packet into Bedford's hands.

Lose not a moment--this concerns us much.

If by her loss or death our crown we buy, Would that our brow had never felt its pressure.

[_Exit._

LOU. No; never here must she return. My own Disgrace or death would be the consequence.

I dread her growing influence with the king, The evil will of disappointed minds, Who now exult in her captivity.

Yet hath she borne the glory she has won With such humility--so well hath won it.

So little love of self hath ever shown; And with such n.o.ble heart distinctions waved, Which others would have sold a soul to purchase.

No matter--when Ambition wakes, then Justice And Pity too must sleep. No packet leaves These walls, nor intercessions reach thee.

SCENE II.--_An Apartment in the Keep at Rouen._

BEDFORD. BEAUVAIS.

BEAU. But good, my lord, the interest of the state-- Justice demands.

BED. I question not the policy-- No, nor justice of the step: be it so; It is enough for me, my word is pledged.