The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 8

Thou giv'st this counsel, and thy blood alone Can ratify this peace.

DUCHATEL.

Here is my head.

I oft have risked it for thee in the fight, And with a joyful spirit I, for thee, Would lay it down upon the block of death.

Conciliate the duke! Deliver me To the full measure of his wrath, and let My flowing blood appease the ancient hate.

CHARLES (looks at him for some time in silence, and with deep emotion).

Can it be true? Am I, then, sunk so low, That even friends, who read my inmost heart, Point out for my escape the path of shame?

Yes, now I recognize my abject fall.

My honor is no more confided in.

DUCHATEL.

Reflect----

CHARLES.

Be silent, and incense me not!

Had I ten realms, on which to turn my back, With my friend's life I would not purchase them.

Do what I have commanded. Hence, and see My equipage embarked.

DUCHATEL.

'Twill speedily Be done.

[He stands up and retires. AGNES SOREL weeps pa.s.sionately.

SCENE VII.

The royal palace at Chinon.

CHARLES, AGNES SOREL.

CHARLES (seizing the hand of AGNES).

My Agnes, be not sorrowful!

Beyond the Loire we still shall find a France; We are departing to a happier land, Where laughs a milder, an unclouded sky, And gales more genial blow; we there shall meet More gentle manners; song abideth there, And love and life in richer beauty bloom.

SOREL.

Oh, must I contemplate this day of woe!

The king must roam in banishment! the son Depart, an exile from his father's house, And turn his back upon his childhood's home!

Oh, pleasant, happy land that we forsake, Ne'er shall we tread thee joyously again.

SCENE VIII.

LA HIRE returns, CHARLES, SOREL.

SOREL.

You come alone? You do not bring him back?

[Observing him more closely.

La Hire! What news? What does that look announce?

Some new calamity?

LA HIRE.

Calamity Hath spent itself; suns.h.i.+ne is now returned.

SOREL.

What is it? I implore you.

LA HIRE (to the KING).

Summon back The delegates from Orleans.

CHARLES.

Why? What is it?

LA HIRE.

Summon them back! Thy fortune is reversed.

A battle has been fought, and thou hast conquered.

SOREL.

Conquered! Oh, heavenly music of that word!

CHARLES.

La Hire! A fabulous report deceives thee; Conquered! In conquest I believe no more.

LA HIRE.

Still greater wonders thou wilt soon believe.

Here cometh the archbishop. To thine arms He leadeth back Dunois.

SOREL.

O beauteous flower Of victory, which doth the heavenly fruits Of peace and reconcilement bear at once!

SCENE IX.

The same, ARCHBISHOP of RHEIMS, DUNOIS, DUCHATEL, with RAOUL, a Knight in armor.

ARCHBISHOP (leading DUNOIS to the KING, and joining their hands).

Princes, embrace! Let rage and discord cease, Since Heaven itself hath for our cause declared.

[DUNOIS embraces the KING.

CHARLES.

Relieve my wonder and perplexity.

What may this solemn earnestness portend?

Whence this unlooked-for change of fortune?

ARCHBISHOP (leads the KNIGHT forward, and presents him to the KING).

Speak!