The Maid of Orleans
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SCENE VIII
JOHANNA (alone) To death thy foot did bear thee – fare thee well![She steps away from him and remains absorbed in thought. Virgin, thou workest mightily in me! My feeble arm thou dost endue with strength, And steep'st my woman's heart in cruelty. In pity melts the soul and the hand trembles, As it did violate some sacred fane, To mar the goodly person of the foe. Once I did shudder at the polished sheath, But when 'tis needed, I'm possessed with strength, And as it were itself a thing of life, The fatal weapon, in my trembling grasp, Self-swayed, inflicteth the unerring stroke.SCENE IX
A KNIGHT with closed visor, JOHANNA.
KNIGHT Accursed one! thy hour of death has come! Long have I sought thee on the battle-field, Fatal delusion! get thee back to hell, Whence thou didst issue forth.JOHANNA Say, who art thou, Whom his bad genius sendeth in my way? Princely thy port, no Briton dost thou seem, For the Burgundian colors stripe thy shield, Before the which my sword inclines its point.KNIGHT Vile castaway! Thou all unworthy art To fall beneath a prince's noble hand. The hangman's axe should thy accursed head Cleave from thy trunk, unfit for such vile use The royal Duke of Burgundy's brave sword.JOHANNA Art thou indeed that noble duke himself?KNIGHT (raises his visor) I'm he, vile creature, tremble and despair! The arts of hell shall not protect thee more. Thou hast till now weak dastards overcome; Now thou dost meet a man.SCENE X
DUNOIS and LA HIRE. The same.
DUNOIS Hold, Burgundy! Turn! combat now with men, and not with maids.LA HIRE We will defend the holy prophetess; First must thy weapon penetrate this breast.BURGUNDY I fear not this seducing Circe; no, Nor you, whom she hath changed so shamefully! Oh, blush, Dunois! and do thou blush, La Hire To stoop thy valor to these hellish arts — To be shield-bearer to a sorceress! Come one – come all! He only who despairs Of heaven's protection seeks the aid of hell.[They prepare for combat, JOHANNA steps between.JOHANNA Forbear!BURGUNDY Dost tremble for thy lover? Thus Before thine eyes he shall —[He makes a thrust at DUNOIS.JOHANNA Dunois, forbear! Part them, La Hire! no blood of France must flow: Not hostile weapons must this strife decide, Above the stars 'tis otherwise decreed. Fall back! I say. Attend and venerate The Spirit which hath seized, which speaks through me!DUNOIS Why, maiden, now hold back my upraised arm? Why check the just decision of the sword? My weapon pants to deal the fatal blow Which shall avenge and heal the woes of France.[She places herself in the midst and separates the parties.JOHANNA Fall back, Dunois! Stand where thou art, La Hire! Somewhat I have to say to Burgundy.[When all is quiet. What wouldst thou, Burgundy? Who is the foe Whom eagerly thy murderous glances seek? This prince is, like thyself, a son of France, — This hero is thy countryman, thy friend; I am a daughter of thy fatherland. We all, whom thou art eager to destroy, Are of thy friends; – our longing arms prepare To clasp, our bending knees to honor thee. Our sword 'gainst thee is pointless, and that face E'en in a hostile helm is dear to us, For there we trace the features of our king.BURGUNDY What, syren! wilt thou with seducing words Allure thy victim? Cunning sorceress, Me thou deludest not. Mine ears are closed Against thy treacherous words; and vainly dart Thy fiery glances 'gainst this mail of proof. To arms, Dunois! With weapons let us fight, and not with words.DUNOIS First words, then weapons, Burgundy! Do words With dread inspire thee? 'Tis a coward's fear, And the betrayer of an evil cause.JOHANNA 'Tis not imperious necessity Which throws us at thy feet! We do not come As suppliants before thee. Look around! The English tents are level with the ground, And all the field is covered with your slain. Hark! the war-trumpets of the French resound; God hath decided – ours the victory! Our new-culled laurel garland with our friend We fain would share. Come, noble fugitive! Oh, come where justice and where victory dwell! Even I, the messenger of heaven, extend A sister's hand to thee. I fain would save And draw thee over to our righteous cause! Heaven hath declared for France! Angelic powers, Unseen by thee, do battle for our king; With lilies are the holy ones adorned, Pure as this radiant banner is our cause; Its blessed symbol is the queen of heaven.BURGUNDY Falsehood's fallacious words are full of guile, But hers are pure and simple as a child's. If evil spirits borrow this disguise, They copy innocence triumphantly. I'll hear no more. To arms, Dunois! to arms! Mine ear, I feel, is weaker than mine arm.JOHANNA You call me an enchantress, and accuse Of hellish arts. Is it the work of hell To heal dissension and to foster peace? Comes holy concord from the depths below? Say, what is holy, innocent, and good, If not to combat for our fatherland? Since when hath nature been so self-opposed That heaven forsakes the just and righteous cause, While hell protects it? If my words are true, Whence could I draw them but from heaven above? Who ever sought me in my shepherd-walks, To teach the humble maid affairs of state? I ne'er have stood with princes, to these lips Unknown the arts of eloquence. Yet now, When I have need of it to touch thy heart, Insight and varied knowledge I possess; The fate of empires and the doom of kings Lie clearly spread before my childish mind, And words of thunder issue from my mouth.BURGUNDY (greatly moved, looks at her with emotion and astonishment) How is it with me? Doth some heavenly power Thus strangely stir my spirit's inmost depths? This pure, this gentle creature cannot lie! No, if enchantment blinds me, 'tis from heaven. My spirit tells me she is sent from God.JOHANNA Oh, he is moved! I have not prayed in vain, Wrath's thunder-cloud dissolves in gentle tears, And leaves his brow, while mercy's golden beams Break from his eyes and gently promise peace. Away with arms, now clasp him to your hearts, He weeps – he's conquered, he is ours once more![Her sword and banner fall; she hastens to him with outstretched arms, and embraces him in great agitation.LA HIRE and DUNOIS throw down their swords, and hasten also to embrace him.ACT III
Residence of the KING at Chalons on the Marne.
SCENE I
DUNOIS, LA HIRE.
DUNOIS We have been true heart-friends, brothers in arms, Still have we battled in a common cause, And held together amid toil and death. Let not the love of woman rend the bond Which hath resisted every stroke of fate.LA HIRE Hear me, my prince!DUNOIS You love the wondrous maid, And well I know the purpose of your heart. You think without delay to seek the king, And to entreat him to bestow on you Her hand in marriage. Of your bravery The well-earned guerdon he cannot refuse But know, – ere I behold her in the arms Of any other —LA HIRE Listen to me, prince!DUNOIS 'Tis not the fleeting passion of the eye Attracts me to her. My unconquered sense Had set at naught the fiery shafts of love Till I beheld this wondrous maiden, sent By a divine appointment to become The savior of this kingdom, and my wife; And on the instant in my heart I vowed A sacred oath, to bear her home, my bride. For she alone who is endowed with strength Can be the strong man's friend. This glowing heart Longs to repose upon a kindred breast, Which can sustain and comprehend its strength.LA HIRE How dare I venture, prince, my poor deserts To measure with your name's heroic fame! When Count Dunois appeareth in the lists, Each humbler suitor must forsake the field; Still it doth ill become a shepherd maid To stand as consort by your princely side. The royal current in your veins would scorn To mix with blood of baser quality.DUNOIS She, like myself, is holy Nature's child, A child divine – hence we by birth are equal. She bring dishonor on a prince's hand, Who is the holy angel's bride, whose head Is by a heavenly glory circled round, Whose radiance far outshineth earthly crowns, Who seeth lying far beneath her feet All that is greatest, highest of this earth! For thrones on thrones, ascending to the stars, Would fail to reach the height where she abides In angel majesty!LA HIRE Our monarch must decide.DUNOIS Not so! she must Decide! Free hath she made this realm of France, And she herself must freely give her heart.LA HIRE Here comes the king!SCENE II
CHARLES, AGNES, SOREL, DUCHATEL, and CHATILLON.
The same.
CHARLES (to CHATILLON) He comes! My title he will recognize, And do me homage as his sovereign liege?CHATILLON Here, in his royal town of Chalons, sire, The duke, my master, will fall down before thee. He did command me, as my lord and king, To give thee greeting. He'll be here anon.SOREL He comes! Hail beauteous and auspicious day, Which bringeth joy, and peace, and reconcilement!CHATILLON The duke, attended by two hundred knights, Will hither come; he at thy feet will kneel; But he expecteth not that thou to him Should yield the cordial greeting of a kinsman.CHARLES I long to clasp him to my throbbing heart.CHATILLON The duke entreats that at this interview, No word be spoken of the ancient strife!CHARLES In Lethe be the past forever sunk! The smiling future now invites our gaze.CHATILLON All who have combated for Burgundy Shall be included in the amnesty.CHARLES So shall my realm be doubled in extent!CHATILLON Queen Isabel, if she consent thereto, Shall also be included in the peace.CHARLES She maketh war on me, not I on her. With her alone it rests to end our quarrel.CHATILLON Twelve knights shall answer for thy royal word.CHARLES My word is sacred.CHATILLON The archbishop shall Between you break the consecrated host, As pledge and seal of cordial reconcilement.CHARLES Let my eternal weal be forfeited, If my hand's friendly grasp belie my heart. What other surety doth the duke require?CHATILLON (glancing at DUCHATEL) I see one standing here, whose presence, sire, Perchance might poison the first interview.[DUCHATEL retires in silence.CHARLES Depart, Duchatel, and remain concealed Until the duke can bear thee in his sight.[He follows him with his eye, then hastens after and embraces him. True-hearted friend! Thou wouldst far more than this Have done for my repose![Exit DUCHATEL.CHATILLON This instrument doth name the other points.CHARLES (to the ARCHBISHOP) Let it be settled. We agree to all. We count no price too high to gain a friend. Go now, Dunois, and with a hundred knights, Give courteous conduct to the noble duke. Let the troops, garlanded with verdant boughs, Receive their comrades with a joyous welcome. Be the whole town arrayed in festive pomp, And let the bells with joyous peal, proclaim That France and Burgundy are reconciled.[A PAGE enters. Trumpets sound. Hark! What importeth that loud trumpet's call?PAGE The Duke of Burgundy hath stayed his march.[Exit.DUNOIS Up! forth to meet him![Exit with LA HIRE and CHATILLON.CHARLES (to SOREL) My Agnes! thou dost weep! Even my strength Doth almost fail me at this interview. How many victims have been doomed to fall Ere we could meet in peace and reconcilement! But every storm at length suspends its rage, Day follows on the murkiest night; and still When comes the hour, the latest fruits mature!ARCHBISHOP (at the window) The thronging crowds impede the duke's advance; He scarce can free himself. They lift him now From off his horse; they kiss his spurs, his mantle.CHARLES They're a good people, in whom love flames forth As suddenly as wrath. In how brief space They do forget that 'tis this very duke Who slew, in fight, their fathers and their sons; The moment swallows up the whole of life! Be tranquil, Sorel. E'en thy passionate joy Perchance might to his conscience prove a thorn. Nothing should either shame or grieve him here.SCENE III
The DUKE OF BURGUNDY, DUNOIS, LA HIRE, CHATILLON, and two other knights of the DUKE'S train. The DUKE remains standing at the door; the KING inclines towards him; BURGUNDY immediately advances, and in the moment when he is about to throw himself upon his knees, the KING receives him in his arms.
CHARLES You have surprised us; it was our intent To fetch you hither, but your steeds are fleet.BURGUNDY They bore me to my duty.[He embraces SOREL, and kisses her brow. With your leave! At Arras, niece, it is our privilege, And no fair damsel may exemption claim.CHARLES Rumor doth speak your court the seat of love, The mart where all that's beautiful must tarry.BURGUNDY We are a traffic-loving people, sire; Whate'er of costly earth's wide realms produce, For show and for enjoyment, is displayed Upon our mart at Bruges; but above all There woman's beauty is pre-eminent.SOREL More precious far is woman's truth; but it Appeareth not upon the public mart.CHARLES Kinsman, 'tis rumored to your prejudice That woman's fairest virtue you despise.BURGUNDY The heresy inflicteth on itself The heaviest penalty. 'Tis well for you, From your own heart, my king, you learned betimes What a wild life hath late revealed to me.[He perceives the ARCHBISHOP, and extends his hand. Most reverend minister of God! your blessing! You still are to be found on duty's path, Where those must walk who would encounter you.ARCHBISHOP Now let my Master call me when he will; My heart is full, I can with joy depart, Since that mine eyes have seen this day!BURGUNDY (to SOREL) 'Tis said That of your precious stones you robbed yourself, Therefrom to forge 'gainst me the tools of war! Bear you a soul so martial? Were you then So resolute to work my overthrow? Well, now our strife is over; what was lost Will in due season all be found again. Even your jewels have returned to you. Against me to make war they were designed; Receive them from me as a pledge of peace.[He receives a casket from one of the attendants, and presents it to her to open. SOREL, embarrassed, looks at the KING.CHARLES Receive this present; 'tis a twofold pledge Of reconcilement and of fairest love.BURGUNDY (placing a diamond rose in her hair) Why, is it not the diadem of France? With full as glad a spirit I would place The golden circle on this lovely brow.[Taking her hand significantly. And count on me if, at some future time You should require a friend.[AGNES SOREL bursts into tears, and steps aside. THE KING struggles with his feelings. The bystanders contemplate the two princes with emotion.BURGUNDY (after gazing round the circle, throws himself into the KING'S arms) Oh, my king![At the same moment the three Burgundian knights hasten to DUNOIS, LA HIRE, and the ARCHBISHOP. They embrace each other. The two PRINCES remain for a time speechless in each other's arms. I could renounce you! I could bear your hate!CHARLES Hush! hush! No further!BURGUNDY I this English king Could crown! Swear fealty to this foreigner! And you, my sovereign, into ruin plunge!CHARLES Forget it! Everything's forgiven now! This single moment doth obliterate all. 'Twas a malignant star! A destiny!BURGUNDY (grasps his hand) Believe me, sire, I'll make amends for all. Your bitter sorrow I will compensate; You shall receive your kingdom back entire, A solitary village shall not fail!CHARLES We are united. Now I fear no foe.BURGUNDY Trust me, it was not with a joyous spirit That I bore arms against you. Did you know? Oh, wherefore sent you not this messenger?[Pointing to SOREL. I must have yielded to her gentle tears. Henceforth, since breast to breast we have embraced, No power of hell again shall sever us! My erring course ends here. His sovereign's heart Is the true resting-place for Burgundy.ARCHBISHOP (steps between them) Ye are united, princes! France doth rise A renovated phoenix from its ashes. The auspicious future greets us with a smile. The country's bleeding wounds will heal again, The villages, the desolated towns, Rise in new splendor from their ruined heaps, The fields array themselves in beauteous green; But those who, victims of your quarrel, fell, The dead, rise not again; the bitter tears, Caused by your strife, remain forever wept! One generation hath been doomed to woe; On their descendants dawns a brighter day; The gladness of the son wakes not the sire. This the dire fruitage of your brother-strife! Oh, princes, learn from hence to pause with dread, Ere from its scabbard ye unsheath the sword. The man of power lets loose the god of war, But not, obedient, as from fields of air Returns the falcon to the sportsman's hand, Doth the wild deity obey the call Of mortal voice; nor will the Saviour's hand A second time forth issue from the clouds.BURGUNDY Oh, sire! an angel walketh by your side. Where is she? Why do I behold her not?CHARLES Where is Johanna? Wherefore faileth she To grace the festival we owe to her?ARCHBISHOP She loves not, sire, the idleness of the court, And when the heavenly mandate calls her not Forth to the world's observance, she retires, And doth avoid the notice of the crowd. Doubtless, unless the welfare of the realm Claims her regard, she communes with her God, For still a blessing on her steps attends.SCENE IV
The same.
JOHANNA enters. She is clad in armor, and wears a garland in her hair.
CHARLES Thou comest as a priestess decked, Johanna, To consecrate the union formed by thee!BURGUNDY How dreadful was the maiden in the fight! How lovely circled by the beams of peace! My word, Johanna, have I now fulfilled? Art thou contented? Have I thine applause?JOHANNA The greatest favor thou hast shown thyself. Arrayed in blessed light thou shinest now, Who didst erewhile with bloody, ominous ray, Hang like a moon of terror in the heavens.[Looking round. Many brave knights I find assembled here, And joy's glad radiance beams in every eye; One mourner, one alone I have encountered; He must conceal himself, where all rejoice.BURGUNDY And who is conscious of such heavy guilt, That of our favor he must needs despair?JOHANNA May he approach? Oh, tell me that he may; Complete thy merit. Void the reconcilement That frees not the whole heart. A drop of hate Remaining in the cup of joy converts The blessed draught to poison. Let there be No deed so stained with blood that Burgundy Cannot forgive it on this day of joy.BURGUNDY Ha! now I understand!JOHANNA And thou'lt forgive? Thou wilt indeed forgive? Come in, Duchatel![She opens the door and leads in DUCHATEL, who remains standing at a distance. The duke is reconciled to all his foes, And he is so to thee.[DUCHATEL approaches a few steps nearer, and tries to read the countenance of the DUKE.BURGUNDY What makest thou Of me, Johanna? Know'st thou what thou askest?JOHANNA A gracious sovereign throws his portals wide, Admitting every guest, excluding none; As freely as the firmament the world, So mercy must encircle friend and foe. Impartially the sun pours forth his beams Through all the regions of infinity; The heaven's reviving dew falls everywhere, And brings refreshment to each thirsty plant; Whate'er is good, and cometh from on high, Is universal, and without reserve; But in the heart's recesses darkness dwells!BURGUNDY Oh, she can mould me to her wish; my heart Is in her forming hand like melted wax. – Duchatel, I forgive thee – come, embrace me! Shade of my sire! oh, not with wrathful eye Behold me clasp the hand that shed thy blood. Ye death-gods, reckon not to my account, That my dread oath of vengeance I abjure. With you, in yon drear realm of endless night, There beats no human heart, and all remains Eternal, steadfast, and immovable. Here in the light of day 'tis otherwise. Man, living, feeling man, is aye the sport Of the o'ermastering present.CHARLES (to JOHANNA) Lofty maid! What owe I not to thee! How truly now Hast thou fulfilled thy word, – how rapidly Reversed my destiny! Thou hast appeased My friends, and in the dust o'erwhelmed my foes; From foreign yoke redeemed my cities. Thou Hast all achieved. Speak, how can I reward thee?JOHANNA Sire, in prosperity be still humane, As in misfortune thou hast ever been; And on the height of greatness ne'er forget The value of a friend in times of need; Thou hast approved it in adversity. Refuse not to the lowest of thy people The claims of justice and humanity, For thy deliverer from the fold was called. Beneath thy royal sceptre thou shalt gather The realm entire of France. Thou shalt become The root and ancestor of mighty kings; Succeeding monarchs, in their regal state, Shall those outshine, who filled the throne before. Thy stock, in majesty shall bloom so long As it stands rooted in the people's love. Pride only can achieve its overthrow, And from the lowly station, whence to-day God summoned thy deliverer, ruin dire Obscurely threats thy crime-polluted sons!BURGUNDY Exalted maid! Possessed with sacred fire! If thou canst look into the gulf of time, Speak also of my race! Shall coming years With ampler honors crown my princely line!JOHANNA High as the throne, thou, Burgundy, hast built Thy seat of power, and thy aspiring heart Would raise still higher, even to the clouds, The lofty edifice. But from on high A hand omnipotent shall check its rise. Fear thou not hence the downfall of thy house! Its glory in a maiden shall survive; Upon her breast shall sceptre-bearing kings, The people's shepherds, bloom. Their ample sway Shall o'er two realms extend, they shall ordain Laws to control the known world, and the new, Which God still veils behind the pathless waves.CHARLES Oh, if the Spirit doth reveal it, speak; Shall this alliance which we now renew In distant ages still unite our sons?JOHANNA (after a pause) Sovereigns and kings! disunion shun with dread! Wake not contention from the murky cave Where he doth lie asleep, for once aroused He cannot soon be quelled? He doth beget An iron brood, a ruthless progeny; Wildly the sweeping conflagration spreads. – Be satisfied! Seek not to question further In the glad present let your hearts rejoice, The future let me shroud!SOREL Exalted maid! Thou canst explore my heart, thou readest there If after worldly greatness it aspires, To me to give a joyous oracle.JOHANNA Of empires only I discern the doom; In thine own bosom lies thy destiny!DUNOIS What, holy maid, will be thy destiny? Doubtless, for thee, who art beloved of heaven, The fairest earthly happiness shall bloom, For thou art pure and holy.JOHANNA Happiness Abideth yonder, with our God, in heaven.CHARLES Thy fortune be henceforth thy monarch's care! For I will glorify thy name in France, And the remotest age shall call thee blest. Thus I fulfil my word. Kneel down![He draws his sword and touches her with it. And rise! A noble! I, thy monarch, from the dust Of thy mean birth exalt thee. In the grave Thy fathers I ennoble – thou shalt bear Upon thy shield the fleur-de-lis, and be Of equal lineage with the best in France. Only the royal blood of Valois shall Be nobler than thine own! The highest peer Shall feel himself exalted by thy hand; To wed thee nobly, maid, shall be my care!DUNOIS (advancing) My heart made choice of her when she was lowly. The recent honor which encircles her, Neither exalts her merit nor my love. Here in my sovereign's presence, and before This holy bishop, maid, I tender thee My hand, and take thee as my princely wife, If thou esteem me worthy to be thine.CHARLES Resistless maiden! wonder thou dost add To wonder! Yes, I now believe that naught's Impossible to thee! Thou hast subdued This haughty heart, which still hath scoffed till now At love's omnipotence.LA HIRE (advancing) If I have read Aright Johanna's soul, her modest heart's Her fairest jewel. She deserveth well The homage of the great, but her desires Soar not so high. She striveth not to reach A giddy eminence; an honest heart's True love content's her, and the quiet lot Which with this hand I humbly proffer her.CHARLES Thou, too, La Hire! two brave competitors, — Peers in heroic virtue and renown! – Wilt thou, who hast appeased mine enemies, My realms united, part my dearest friends? One only can possess her; I esteem Each to be justly worthy such a prize. Speak, maid! thy heart alone must here decide.SOREL The noble maiden is surprised, her cheek Is crimsoned over with a modest blush. Let her have leisure to consult her heart, And in confiding friendship to unseal Her long-closed bosom. Now the hour is come When, with a sister's love, I also may Approach the maid severe, and offer her This silent, faithful breast. Permit us women Alone to weigh this womanly affair; Do you await the issue.CHARLES (about to retire) Be it so!JOHANNA No, sire, not so! the crimson on my cheek Is not the blush of bashful modesty. Naught have I for this noble lady's ear Which in this presence I may not proclaim. The choice of these brave knights much honors me, But I did not forsake my shepherd-walks, To chase vain worldly splendor, nor array My tender frame in panoply of war, To twine the bridal garland in my hair. Far other labor is assigned to me, Which a pure maiden can alone achieve. I am the soldier of the Lord of Hosts, And to no mortal man can I be wife.ARCHBISHOP To be a fond companion unto man Is woman born – when nature she obeys, Most wisely she fulfils high heaven's decree! When His behest who called thee to the field Shall be accomplished, thou'lt resign thy arms, And once again rejoin the softer sex, Whose gentle nature thou dost now forego, And which from war's stern duties is exempt.JOHANNA Most reverend sir! as yet I cannot say What work the Spirit will enjoin on me. But when the time comes round, his guiding voice Will not be mute, and it I will obey. Now he commands me to complete my task; My royal master's brow is still uncrowned, 'Twere better for me I had ne'er been born! Henceforth no more of this, unless ye would Provoke the Spirit's wrath who in me dwells! The eye of man, regarding me with love, To me is horror and profanity.CHARLES Forbear! It is in vain to urge her further.JOHANNA Command the trumpets of the war to sound! This stillness doth perplex and harass me; An inward impulse drives me from repose, It still impels me to achieve my work, And sternly beckons me to meet my doom.