The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 36

RAIMOND.

Alas! the foe!

[The soldiers advance, and perceiving JOBANNA fall back in terror.

ISABEL.

What now obstructs the march?

SOLDIERS.

May G.o.d protect us!

ISABEL.

Do ye see a spirit?

How! Are ye soldiers! Ye are cowards all!

[She presses forward, but starts back on beholding the MAIDEN.

What do I see!

[She collects herself quickly and approaches her.

Submit thyself! Thou art My prisoner!

JOHANNA.

I am.

[RAIMOND flies in despair.

ISABEL (to the soldiers).

Lay her in chains!

[The soldiers timidly approach the MAIDEN; she extends her arms and is chained.

Is this the mighty, the terrific one, Who chased your warriors like a flock of lambs, Who, powerless now, cannot protect herself?

Doth she work miracles with credulous fools, And lose her influence when she meets a man?

[To the MAIDEN.

Why didst thou leave the army? Where's Dunois, Thy knight and thy protector.

JOHANNA.

I am banished.

[ISABEL, stepping back astonished.

ISABEL.

What say'st thou? Thou art banished? By the Dauphin?

JOHANNA.

Inquire no further! I am in thy power, Decide my fate.

ISABEL.

Banished, because thou hast s.n.a.t.c.hed him from ruin, placed upon his brow The crown at Rheims, and made him King of France?

Banished! Therein I recognize my son!

--Conduct her to the camp, and let the host Behold the phantom before whom they trembled!

She a magician? Her sole magic lies In your delusion and your cowardice!

She is a fool who sacrificed herself To save her king, and reapeth for her pains A king's reward. Bear her to Lionel.

The fortune of the French! send him bound; I'll follow anon.

JOHANNA.

To Lionel?

Slay me at once, ere send me unto him.

ISABEL (to the soldiers).

Obey your orders, soldiers! Bear her hence.

[Exit.

SCENE VI.

JOHANNA, SOLDIERS.

JOHANNA (to the soldiers).

Ye English, suffer not that I escape Alive out of your hands! Revenge yourselves!

Unsheath your weapons, plunge them in my heart, And drag me lifeless to your general's feet!

Remember it was I who slew your heroes, Who never showed compa.s.sion, who poured forth Torrents of English blood, who from your sons s.n.a.t.c.hed the sweet pleasure of returning home!

Take now a b.l.o.o.d.y vengeance! Murder me!

I now am in your power; I may perchance Not always be so weak.

CONDUCTOR OF THE SOLDIERS.

Obey the queen!

JOHANNA.

Must I be yet more wretched than I was!

Unpitying Virgin! Heavy is thy hand Hast thou completely thrust me from thy favor?

No G.o.d appears, no angel shows himself; Closed are heaven's portals, miracles have ceased.

[She follows the SOLDIERS.

SCENE VII.

The French Camp.

DUNOIS, between the ARCHBISHOP and DUCHATEL.

ARCHBISHOP.

Conquer your sullen indignation, prince!

Return with us! Come back unto your king!

In this emergency abandon not The general cause, when we are sorely pressed, And stand in need of your heroic arm.