The Maid of Orleans
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SCENE V
QUEEN ISABEL, with soldiers, appears in the background.
ISABEL (behind the scene)This is the way toward the English camp!RAIMOND Alas! the foe![The soldiers advance, and perceiving JOBANNA fall back in terror.ISABEL What now obstructs the march?SOLDIERS May God 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 Snatched 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 compassion, who poured forth Torrents of English blood, who from your sons Snatched the sweet pleasure of returning home! Take now a bloody 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 God 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.DUNOIS Why are ye sorely pressed? Why doth the foe Again exalt himself? all was achieved; — France was triumphant – war was at an end; — The savior you have banished; you henceforth May save yourselves; I'll not again behold The camp wherein the maid abideth not.DUCHATEL Think better of it, prince! Dismiss us not With such an answer!DUNOIS Silence, Duchatel! You're hateful to me; I'll hear naught from you; You were the first who doubted of her truth.ARCHBISHOP Who had not wavered on that fatal day, And been bewildered, when so many signs Bore evidence against her! We were stunned, Our hearts were crushed beneath the sudden blow. – Who in that hour of dread could weigh the proofs? Our calmer judgment now returns to us, We see the maid as when she walked with us, Nor have we any fault to charge her with. We are perplexed – we fear that we have done A grievous wrong. The king is penitent, The duke remorseful, comfortless La Hire, And every heart doth shroud itself in woe.DUNOIS She a deluder? If celestial truth Would clothe herself in a corporeal form, She needs must choose the features of the maiden. If purity of heart, faith, innocence, Dwell anywhere on earth, upon her lips And in her eyes' clear depths they find their home.ARCHBISHOP May the Almighty, through a miracle, Shed light upon this awful mystery, Which baffles human insight. Howsoe'er This sad perplexity may be resolved, One of two grievous sins we have committed! Either in fight we have availed ourselves Of hellish arms, or banished hence a saint! And both call down upon this wretched land The vengeance and the punishment of heaven.SCENE VIII
The same, a NOBLEMAN, afterwards RAIMOND.
NOBLEMAN A shepherd youth inquires after your highness, He urgently entreats an interview, He says he cometh from the maiden —DUNOIS Haste! Conduct him hither! He doth come from her![The NOBLEMAN opens the door to RAIMOND, DUNOIS hastens to meet him. Where is she? Where is the maid?RAIMOND Hail! noble prince! And blessed am I that I find with you This holy man, the shield of the oppressed, The father of the poor and destitute!DUNOIS Where is the maiden?ARCHBISHOP Speak, my son, inform us!RAIMOND She is not, sir, a wicked sorceress! To God and all his saints I make appeal. An error blinds the people. You've cast forth God's messenger, you've banished innocence!DUNOIS Where is she?RAIMOND I accompanied her flight Towards the woods of Ardennes; there she hath Revealed to me her spirit's inmost depths. In torture I'll expire, and will resign My hopes of everlasting happiness, If she's not guiltless, sir, of every sin!DUNOIS The sun in heaven is not more pure than she! Where is she? Speak!RAIMOND If God hath turned your hearts, Oh hasten, I entreat you – rescue her She is a prisoner in the English camp.DUNOIS A prisoner say you?ARCHBISHOP Poor unfortunate!RAIMOND There in the forest as we sought for shelter, We were encountered by Queen Isabel, Who seized and sent her to the English host. Oh, from a cruel death deliver her Who hath full many a time delivered you!DUNOIS Sound an alarm! to arms! up! beat the drums. Forth to the field! Let France appear in arms! The crown and the palladium are at stake! Our honor is in pledge! risk blood and life! She must be rescued ere the day is done![Exit.SCENE IX
A watch-tower – an opening above. JOHANNA and LIONEL.
FASTOLFE (entering hastily) The people can no longer be restrained. With fury they demand the maiden's death. In vain your opposition. Let her die And throw her head down from the battlements! 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 shield 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 fellowship. 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 shining 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.FASTOLFE (to JOHANNA) Thou knowest what awaits thee, now implore A blessing on the weapons of thy people.[Exit.SCENE XI
ISABEL, JOHANNA, SOLDIERS.
JOHANNA Ay! that I will! no power can hinder me. Hark to that sound, the war-march of my people! How its triumphant notes inspire my heart! Ruin to England! victory to France! Up, valiant countrymen! The maid is near; She cannot, as of yore, before you bear Her banner – she is bound with heavy chains; But freely from her prison soars her soul, Upon the pinions of your battle-song.ISABEL (to a SOLDIER) Ascend the watch-tower which commands the field, And thence report the progress of the fight.[SOLDIER ascends.JOHANNA Courage, my people! 'Tis the final struggle — Another victory, and the foe lies low!ISABEL What see'st thou?SOLDIER They're already in close fight. A furious warrior on a Barbary steed, In tiger's skin, leads forward the gens d'armes.JOHANNA That's Count Dunois! on, gallant warrior! Conquest goes with thee.SOLDIER The Burgundian duke Attacks the bridge.ISABEL Would that ten hostile spears Might his perfidious heart transfix, the traitor!SOLDIER Lord Fastolfe gallantly opposes him. Now they dismount – they combat man to man Our people and the troops of Burgundy.ISABEL Behold'st thou not the Dauphin? See'st thou not The royal wave?SOLDIER A cloud of dust Shrouds everything. I can distinguish naught.JOHANNA Had he my eyes, or stood I there aloft, The smallest speck would not elude my gaze! The wild fowl I can number on the wing, And mark the falcon in his towering flight.SOLDIER There is a fearful tumult near the trench; The chiefs, it seems, the nobles, combat there.ISABEL Still doth our banner wave?SOLDIER It proudly floats.JOHANNA Could I look through the loopholes of the wall, I with my lance the battle would control.SOLDIER Alas! What do I see? Our general's Surrounded by the foe!ISABEL (points the dagger at JOHANNA) Die, wretch!SOLDIER (quickly) He's free! The gallant Fastolfe in the rear attacks The enemy – he breaks their serried ranks.ISABEL (withdrawing the dagger) There spoke thy angel!SOLDIER Victory! They fly.ISABEL Who fly?SOLDIER The French and the Burgundians fly; The field is covered o'er with fugitives.JOHANNA My God! Thou wilt not thus abandon me!SOLDIER Yonder they lead a sorely wounded knight; The people rush to aid him – he's a prince.ISABEL One of our country, or a son of France?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 passionate 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 passionate violence) Hear me, O God, 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 ship's cable, thou canst render strong; Easy it is to thine omnipotence To change these fetters into spider's webs — Command it, and these massy 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 God be gracious to me![She seizes her chains violently with both hands, and breaks them asunder. At the same moment rushing 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 snatch 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 XIII
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.[She resigns her sword, and follows him with the soldiers. The Scene changes to the battle-field.SCENE XIV
Soldiers with flying banners occupy the background. Before them the KING and the DUKE OF BURGUNDY appear, bearing JOHANNA in their arms; she is mortally wounded, and apparently lifeless. They advance slowly to the front of the stage. AGNES SOREL rushes in.
SOREL (throwing herself on the bosom of the KING) You're free – you live – I have you back again!KING Yes, I am free – I am so at this price![Pointing to JOHANNA.SOREL Johanna! God! she's dying!BURGUNDY She is gone An angel passeth hence! See, how she lies, Easy and tranquil, like a sleeping child! The peace of heaven around her features plays, The breath of life no longer heaves her breast, But vital warmth still lingers in her hand.KING She's gone! She never will awaken more, Her eye will gaze no more on earthly things. She soars on high, a spirit glorified, She seeth not our grief, our penitence.SOREL Her eyes unclose – she lives!BURGUNDY (in astonishment) Can she return Back from the grave, triumphant e'en o'er death? She riseth up! She standeth!JOHANNA (standing up, and looking round) Where am I?BURGUNDY With thine own people, maiden – with thy friends!KING Supported by thy friend, and by thy king.JOHANNA (after looking at him fixedly for some time) No! I am not a sorceress! Indeed I am not one.KING Thou'rt holy, as an angel; A cloud of error dimmed our mental sight.JOHANNA (gazing round her with a joyful smile) And am I really, then, among my friends, And am no more rejected and despised? They curse me not – kindly they look on me! – Yes, all around me now seems clear again! That is my king! – the banners these of France! My banner I behold not – where is it? Without my banner I dare not appear; To me it was confided by my Lord, And I before his throne must lay it down; I there may show it, for I bore it truly.KING (averting his face) Give her the banner![It is given to her. She stands quite unsupported, the banner in her hand. The heaven is illumined by a rosy light.JOHANNA See you the rainbow yonder in the air? Its golden portals heaven doth wide unfold, Amid the angel choir she radiant stands, The eternal Son she claspeth to her breast, Her arms she stretcheth forth to me in love. How is it with me? Light clouds bear me up — My ponderous mail becomes a winged robe; I mount – I fly – back rolls the dwindling earth — Brief is the sorrow – endless is the joy![Her banner falls and she sinks lifeless on the ground.All remain for some time in speechless sorrow. Upon a signal from the KING, all the banners are gently placed over her, so that she is entirely concealed by them.