The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 33

Most horrible!

Yet we must needs believe a father's words Who 'gainst his daughter gives his evidence.

DUNOIS.

The madman cannot be believed Who in his child brings shame upon himself.

SOREL (to JOHANNA).

Oh, maiden, speak! this fatal silence break!

We firmly trust thee! we believe in thee!

One syllable from thee, one single word Shall be sufficient. Speak! annihilate This horrid accusation. But declare Thine innocence, and we will all believe thee.

[JOHANNA remains motionless; AGNES steps back with horror.

LA HIRE.

She's frightened. Horror and astonishment Impede her utterance. Before a charge So horrible e'en innocence must tremble.

[He approaches her.

Collect thyself, Johanna! innocence Hath a triumphant look, whose lightning flash Strikes slander to the earth! In n.o.ble wrath Arise! look up, and punish this base doubt, An insult to thy holy innocence.

[JOHANNA remains motionless; LA HIRE steps back; the excitement increases.

DUNOIS.

Why do the people fear, the princes tremble?

I'll stake my honor on her innocence!

Here on the ground I throw my knightly gage; Who now will venture to maintain her guilt?

[A loud clap of thunder; all are horror-struck.

THIBAUT.

Answer, by Him whose thunders roll above!

Give me the lie! Proclaim thine innocence; Say that the enemy hath not thy heart!

[Another clap of thunder, louder than the first; the people fly on all sides.

BURGUNDY.

G.o.d guard and save us! What appalling signs!

DUCHATEL (to the KING).

Come, come, my king! Forsake this fearful place!

ARCHBISHOP (to JOHANNA).

I ask thee in G.o.d's name. Art thou thus silent From consciousness of innocence or guilt?

If in thy favor the dread thunder speaks, Touch with thy hand this cross, and give a sign!

[JOHANNA remains motionless. More violent peals of thunder.

The KING, AGNES SOREL, the ARCHBISHOP, BURGUNDY, LA HIRE, DUCHATEL retire.

SCENE XII.

DUNOIS, JOHANNA.

DUNOIS.

Thou art my wife; I have believed in thee From the first glance, and I am still unchanged.

In thee I have more faith than in these signs, Than in the thunder's voice, which speaks above.

In n.o.ble anger thou art silent thus; Enveloped in thy holy innocence, Thou scornest to refute so base a charge.

Still scorn it, maiden, but confide in me; I never doubted of thine innocence.

Speak not one word; only extend thy hand In pledge and token that thou wilt confide In my protection and thine own good cause.

[He extends his hand to her; she turns from him with a convulsive motion; he remains transfixed with horror.

SCENE XIII.

JOHANNA, DUCHATEL, DUNOIS, afterwards RAIMOND.

DUCHATEL (returning).

Johanna d'Arc! uninjured from the town The king permits you to depart. The gates Stand open to you. Fear no injury,-- You are protected by the royal word.

Come follow me, Dunois! You cannot here Longer abide with honor. What an issue!

[He retires. DUNOIS recovers from his stupor, casts one look upon JOHANNA, and retires. She remains standing for a moment quite alone. At length RAIMOND appears; he regards her for a time with silent sorrow, and then approaching takes her hand.

RAIMOND.

Embrace this opportunity. The streets Are empty now. Your hand! I will conduct you.

[On perceiving him, she gives the first sign of consciousness.

She gazes on him fixedly, and looks up to heaven; then taking his hand she retires.

ACT V.

A wild wood: charcoal-burners' huts in the distance.

It is quite dark; violent thunder and lightning; firing heard at intervals.

SCENE I.

CHARCOAL-BURNER and his WIFE.

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

This is a fearful storm, the heavens seem As if they would vent themselves in streams of fire; So thick the darkness which usurps the day, That one might see the stars. The angry winds Bl.u.s.ter and howl like spirits loosed from h.e.l.l.

The firm earth trembles, and the aged elms Groaning, bow down their venerable tops.

Yet this terrific tumult, o'er our heads, Which teacheth gentleness to savage beasts, So that they seek the shelter of their caves, Appeaseth not the b.l.o.o.d.y strife of men-- Amidst the raging of the wind and storm At intervals is heard the cannon's roar; So near the hostile armaments approach, The wood alone doth part them; any hour May see them mingle in the shock of battle.