The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 15

BURGUNDY.

Make not too sure.

TALBOT.

If she encounter me, I shall not give her such a soft embrace.

Come now, exhausted nature to restore Through gentle sleep. At daybreak we set forth.

[They go out.

SCENE IV.

JOHANNA with her banner, in a helmet and breastplate, otherwise attired as a woman. DUNOIS, LA HIRE, knights and soldiers appear above upon the rocky path, pa.s.s silently over, and appear immediately after on the scene.

JOHANNA (to the knights who surround her while the procession continues above).

The wall is scaled and we are in the camp!

Now fling aside the mantle of still night, Which hitherto hath veiled your silent march, And your dread presence to the foe proclaim.

By your loud battle-cry--G.o.d and the maiden!

ALL (exclaim aloud, amidst the loud clang of arms).

G.o.d and the maiden!

[Drums and trumpets.

SENTINELS (behind the scene).

The foe! The foe! The foe!

JOHANNA.

Ho! torches here. Hurl fire into the tents!

Let the devouring flames augment the horror, While threatening death doth compa.s.s them around!

[Soldiers hasten on, she is about to follow.

DUNOIS (holding her back).

Thy part thou hast accomplished now, Johanna!

Into the camp thou hast conducted us, The foe thou hast delivered in our hands, Now from the rush of war remain apart!

The b.l.o.o.d.y consummation leave to us.

LA HIRE.

Point out the path of conquest to the host; Before us, in pure hand, the banner bear.

But wield the fatal weapon not thyself; Tempt not the treacherous G.o.d of battle, for He rageth blindly, and he spareth not.

JOHANNA.

Who dares impede my progress? Who presume The spirit to control which guideth me?

Still must the arrow wing its destined flight!

Where danger is, there must Johanna be; Nor now, nor here, am I foredoomed to fall; Our monarch's royal brow I first must see Invested with the round of sovereignty.

No hostile power can rob me of my life, Till I've accomplished the commands of G.o.d.

[She goes out.

LA HIRE.

Come, let us follow after her, Dunois, And let our valiant bosoms be her s.h.i.+eld!

[Exit.

SCENE V.

ENGLISH SOLDIERS hurry over the stage.

Afterwards TALBOT.

1 SOLDIER.

The maiden in the camp!

2 SOLDIER.

Impossible!

It cannot be! How came she in the camp?

3 SOLDIER.

Why, through the air! The devil aided her!

4 AND 5 SOLDIERS.

Fly! fly! We are dead men!

TALBOT (enters).

They heed me not! They stay not at my call!

The sacred bands of discipline are loosed!

As h.e.l.l had poured her d.a.m.ned legions forth, A wild, distracting impulse whirls along, In one mad throng, the cowardly and brave.

I cannot rally e'en the smallest troop To form a bulwark gainst the hostile flood, Whose raging billows press into our camp!

Do I alone retain my sober senses, While all around in wild delirium rave?

To fly before these weak, degenerate Frenchmen Whom we in twenty battles have overthrown?

Who is she then--the irresistible-- The dread-inspiring G.o.ddess, who doth turn At once the tide of battle, and transform The lions bold a herd of timid deer?

A juggling minx, who plays the well-learned part Of heroine, thus to appal the brave?

A woman s.n.a.t.c.h from me all martial fame?

SOLDIER (rus.h.i.+ng in).

The maiden comes! Fly, general, fly! fly!

TALBOT (strikes him down).

Fly thou, thyself, to h.e.l.l! This sword shall pierce Who talks to me of fear, or coward flight!

[He goes out.

SCENE VI.