The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 13

ISABEL.

What must I hear? This fatal strife forbear!

What brain-bewildering planet o'er your minds Sheds dire perplexity? When unity Alone can save you, will you part in hate, And, warring 'mong yourselves, prepare your doom?-- I do entreat you, n.o.ble duke, recall Your hasty order. You, renowned Talbot, Seek to appease an irritated friend!

Come, Lionel, aid me to reconcile These haughty spirits and establish peace.

LIONEL.

Not I, madame. It is all one to me.

'Tis my belief, when things are misallied, The sooner they part company the better.

ISABEL.

How? Do the arts of h.e.l.l, which on the field Wrought such disastrous ruin, even here Bewilder and befool us? Who began This fatal quarrel? Speak! Lord-general!

Your own advantage did you so forget, As to offend your worthy friend and ally?

What could you do without his powerful arm?

'Twas he who placed your monarch on the throne, He holds him there, and he can hurl him thence; His army strengthens you--still more his name.

Were England all her citizens to pour Upon our coasts, she never o'er this realm Would gain dominion did she stand alone; No! France can only be subdued by France!

TALBOT.

A faithful friend we honor as we ought; Discretion warns us to beware the false.

BURGUNDY.

The liar's brazen front beseemeth him Who would absolve himself from grat.i.tude.

ISABEL.

How, n.o.ble duke? Could you so far renounce Your princely honor, and your sense of shame, As clasp the hand of him who slew your sire?

Are you so mad to entertain the thought Of cordial reconcilement with the Dauphin, Whom you yourself have hurled to ruin's brink?

His overthrow you have well nigh achieved, And madly now would you renounce your work?

Here stand your allies. Your salvation lies In an indissoluble bond with England?

BURGUNDY.

Far is my thought from treaty with the Dauphin; But the contempt and insolent demeanor Of haughty England I will not endure.

ISABEL.

Come, n.o.ble duke? Excuse a hasty word.

Heavy the grief which bows the general down, And well you know misfortune makes unjust.

Come! come! embrace; let me this fatal breach Repair at once, ere it becomes eternal.

TALBOT.

What think you, Burgundy? A n.o.ble heart, By reason vanquished, doth confess its fault.

A wise and prudent word the queen hath spoken; Come, let my hand with friendly pressure heal The wound inflicted by my angry tongue.

BURGUNDY.

Discreet the counsel offered by the queen!

My just wrath yieldeth to necessity.

ISABEL.

'Tis well! Now, with a brotherly embrace Confirm and seal the new-established bond; And may the winds disperse what hath been spoken.

[BURGUNDY and TALBOT embrace.

LIONEL (contemplating the group aside).

Hail to an union by the furies planned!

ISABEL.

Fate hath proved adverse, we have lost a battle, But do not, therefore, let your courage sink.

The Dauphin, in despair of heavenly aid, Doth make alliance with the powers of h.e.l.l; Vainly his soul he forfeits to the devil, For h.e.l.l itself cannot deliver him.

A conquering maiden leads the hostile force; Yours, I myself will lead; to you I'll stand In place of maiden or of prophetess.

LIONEL.

Madame, return to Paris! We desire To war with trusty weapons, not with women.

TALBOT.

GO! go! Since your arrival in the camp, Fortune hath fled our banners, and our course Hath still been retrograde. Depart at once!

BURGUNDY.

Your presence here doth scandalize the host.

ISABEL (looks from one to the other with astonishment).

This, Burgundy, from you? Do you take part Against me with these thankless English lords?

BURGUNDY.

Go! go! The thought of combating for you Unnerves the courage of the bravest men.

ISABEL.

I scarce among you have established peace, And you already form a league against me!

TALBOT.

Go, in G.o.d's name. When you have left the camp No devil will again appal our troops.

ISABEL.

Say, am I not your true confederate?

Are we not banded in a common cause?

TALBOT.

Thank G.o.d! your cause of quarrel is not ours.

We combat in an honorable strife.

BURGUNDY.

A father's b.l.o.o.d.y murder I avenge.

Stern filial duty consecrates my arms.

TALBOT.

Confess at once. Your conduct towards the Dauphin Is an offence alike to G.o.d and man.

ISABEL.

Curses blast him and his posterity!

The shameless son who sins against his mother!

BURGUNDY.

Ay! to avenge a husband and a father!