The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 40

SOLDIER.

They loose his helmet--it is Count Dunois.

JOHANNA (seizes her fetters with convulsive violence).

And I am nothing but a fettered woman!

SOLDIER.

Look yonder! Who the azure mantle wears Bordered with gold?

JOHANNA.

That is my lord, the king.

SOLDIER.

His horse is restive, plunges, rears and falls-- He struggles hard to extricate himself.

[JOHANNA accompanies these words with pa.s.sionate movements.

Our troops are pressing on in full career, They near him, reach him--they surround him now.

JOHANNA.

Oh, have the heavens above no angels more!

ISABEL (laughing scornfully).

Now is the time, deliverer--now deliver!

JOHANNA (throws herself upon her knees, and prays with pa.s.sionate violence).

Hear me, O G.o.d, in my extremity!

In fervent supplication up to Thee, Up to thy heaven above I send my soul.

The fragile texture of a spider's web, As a s.h.i.+p's cable, thou canst render strong; Easy it is to thine omnipotence To change these fetters into spider's webs-- Command it, and these ma.s.sy chains shall fall, And these thick walls be rent, Thou, Lord of old, Didst strengthen Samson, when enchained and blind He bore the bitter scorn of his proud foes.

Trusting in thee, he seized with mighty power The pillars of his prison, bowed himself, And overthrew the structure.

SOLDIER.

Triumph!

ISABEL.

How?

SOLDIER.

The king is taken!

JOHANNA (springing up).

Then G.o.d be gracious to me!

[She seizes her chains violently with both hands, and breaks them asunder. At the same moment rus.h.i.+ng upon the nearest soldier, she seizes his sword and hurries out.

All gaze after her, transfixed with astonishment.

SCENE XII.

The same, without JOHANNA.

ISABEL (after a long pause).

How was it? Did I dream? Where is she gone?

How did she break these ponderous iron chains?

A world could not have made me credit it, If I had not beheld it with these eyes.

SOLDIER (from the tower).

How? Hath she wings? Hath the wind borne her down?

ISABEL.

Is she below?

SOLDIER.

She strides amidst the fight: Her course outspeeds my sight--now she is here-- Now there--I see her everywhere at once!

--She separates the troops--all yield to her: The scattered French collect--they form anew!

--Alas! what do I see! Our people cast Their weapons to the ground, our banners sink----

ISABEL.

What? Will she s.n.a.t.c.h from us the victory?

SOLDIER.

She presses forward, right towards the king.

She reaches him--she bears him from the fight-- Lord Fastolfe falls--the general is taken!

ISABEL.

I'll hear no more! Come down!

SOLDIER.

Fly, queen! you will be taken by surprise.

Armed soldiers are advancing tow'rds the tower.

[He comes down.

ISABEL (drawing her sword).

Then fight, ye cowards!

SCENE IV.

LA HIRE with soldiers. At his entrance the people of the QUEEN lay down their arms.

LA HIRE (approaching her respectfully).

Queen, submit yourself-- Your knights have yielded--to resist is vain!

--Accept my proffered services. Command Where you would be conducted.

ISABEL.

Every place The same, where I encounter not the Dauphin.