The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 38

Her blood alone will satisfy the host.

ISABEL (coming in).

With ladders they begin to scale the walls.

Appease the angry people! Will you wait Till in blind fury they o'erthrow the tower, And we beneath its towers are destroyed?

Protect her here you cannot. Give her up!

LIONEL.

Let them storm on. In fury let them rage!

Firm is this castle, and beneath its ruins I will be buried ere I yield to them.

--Johanna, answer me! only be mine, And I will s.h.i.+eld thee 'gainst a world in arms.

ISABEL.

Are you a man?

LIONEL.

Thy friends have cast thee off.

To thy ungrateful country then dost owe Duty and faith no longer. The false cowards Who sought thy hand, forsake thee in thy need.

They for thy honor venture not the fight, But I, against my people and 'gainst thine, Will be thy champion. Once thou didst confess My life was dear to thee; in combat then I stood before thee as thine enemy-- Thou hast not now a single friend but me.

JOHANNA.

Thou art my people's enemy and mine.

Between us there can be no fellows.h.i.+p.

Thee I can never love, but if thy heart Cherish affection for me, let it bring A blessing on my people. Lead thy troops Far from the borders of my fatherland; Give up the keys of all the captured towns, Restore the booty, set the captives free, Send hostages the compact to confirm, And peace I offer thee in my king's name.

ISABEL.

Wilt thou, a captive, dictate laws to us?

JOHANNA.

It must be done; 'tis useless to delay.

Never, oh never, will this land endure The English yoke; sooner will France become A mighty sepulchre for England's hosts.

Fallen in battle are your bravest chiefs.

Think how you may achieve a safe retreat; Your fame is forfeited, your power is lost.

ISABEL.

Can you endure her raving insolence?

SCENE X.

A CAPTAIN enters hastily.

CAPTAIN.

Haste, general! Prepare the host for battle.

The French with flying banners come this way, Their s.h.i.+ning weapons glitter in the vale.

JOHANNA (with enthusiasm).

My people come this way! Proud England now Forth in the field! now boldly must you fight!

FASTOLFE.

Deluded woman, moderate your joy!

You will not see the issue of this day.

JOHANNA.

My friends will win the fight and I shall die!

The gallant heroes need my arm no more.

LIONEL.

These dastard enemies I scorn. They have In twenty battles fled before our arms, Ere this heroic maiden fought for them.

All the whole nation I despise, save one, And this one they have banished. Come, Fastolfe, We soon will give them such another day As that of Poictiers and of Agincourt.

Do you remain with the fortress, queen, And guard the maiden till the fight is o'er.

I leave for your protection fifty knights.

FASTOLFE.

How! general, shall we march against the foe And leave this raging fury in our rear?

JOHANNA.

What! can a fettered woman frighten thee?

LIONEL.

Promise, Johanna, not to free thyself.

JOHANNA.

To free myself is now my only wish.

ISABEL.

Bind her with triple chains. I pledged my life That she shall not escape.

[She is bound with heavy chains.

LIONEL (to JOHANNA).

Thou will'st it so!

Thou dost compel us! still it rests with thee!

Renounce the French--the English banner bear, And thou art free, and these rude, savage men Who now desire thy blood shall do thy will.

FASTOLFE (urgently).

Away, away, my general!

JOHANNA.

Spare thy words, The French are drawing near. Defend thyself!

[Trumpets sound, LIONEL hastens forth.

FASTOLFE.

You know your duty, queen! if fate declares Against us, should you see our people fly.

ISABEL (showing a dagger).

Fear not. She shall not live to see our fall.