The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 30

She recognized us not! She did not feel That we, her sisters, were so near to her.

She looked upon the ground, and seemed so pale, And trembled so beneath her banner's weight When I beheld her, I could not rejoice.

MARGOT.

So now, arrayed in splendor and in pomp, I have beheld our sister--who in dreams Would ever have imagined or conceived, When on our native hills she drove the flock, That we should see her in such majesty?

LOUISON.

Our father's dream is realized, that we In Rheims before our sister should bow down.

That is the church, which in his dream he saw And each particular is now fulfilled.

But images of woe he also saw!

Alas! I'm grieved to see her raised so high!

BERTRAND.

Why stand we idly here? Let's to the church To view the coronation!

MARGOT.

Yes! perchance We there may meet our sister; let us go!

LOUISON.

We have beheld her. Let us now return Back to our village.

MARGOT.

How? Ere we with her Have interchanged a word?

LOUISON.

She doth belong To us no longer; she with princes stands And monarchs. Who are we, that we should seek With foolish vanity to near her state?

She was a stranger while she dwelt with us!

MARGOT.

Will she despise, and treat us with contempt?

BERTRAND.

The king himself is not ashamed of us, He kindly greets the meanest of the crowd.

How high soever she may be exalted, The king is raised still higher!

[Trumpets and kettle-drums are heard from the church.

CLAUDE MARIE.

Let's to the church!

[They hasten to the background, where they are lost among the crowd.

SCENE VIII.

THIBAUT enters, clad in black. RAIMOND follows him, and tries to hold him back.

RAIMOND.

Stay, father Thibaut! Do not join the crowds!

Here, at this joyous festival you meet None but the happy, whom your grief offends.

Come! Let us quit the town with hasty steps.

THIBAUT.

Hast thou beheld my child? My wretched child?

Didst thou observe her?

RAIMMOND.

I entreat you, fly!

THIBAUT.

Didst mark her tottering and uncertain steps, Her countenance, so pallid and disturbed?

She feels her dreadful state; the hour is come To save my child, and I will not neglect it.

[He is about to retire.

RAIMOND.

What would you do?

THIBAUT.

Surprise her, hurl her down From her vain happiness, and forcibly Restore her to the G.o.d whom she denies.

RAIMOND.

Oh, do not work the ruin of your child!

THIBAUT.

If her soul lives, her mortal part may die.

[JOHANNA rushes out of the church, without her banner.

The people press around her, wors.h.i.+p her, and kiss her garments. She is detained in the background by the crowd.

She comes! 'tis she! She rushes from the church.

Her troubled conscience drives her from the fane!

'Tis visibly the judgment of her G.o.d!

RAIMOND.

Farewell! Require not my attendance further!

Hopeful I came, and sorrowful depart.

Your daughter once again I have beheld, And feel again that she is lost to me!

[He goes out. THIBAUT retires on the opposite side.

SCENE IX.

JOHANNA, People. Afterwards her Sisters.

JOHANNA (she has freed herself from the crowd and comes forward).

Remain I cannot--spirits chase me forth!