University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—The Ruined Chapel of St. Agnes—Moonlight. At the back of the scene a large window is left standing; on the pillars, and the statue of St. Agnes on the L., the light falls vividly, a broken flat tomb, R. in front.
Joan enters at the L.U.E. and gradually comes forward.
Joan.
I us'd to find peace here—'tis fled from all,
The world is one wide wreck! I will not think
Of what has been. I have lov'd! and he I lov'd
Abets my brother's murder!—Guards the spoilers
Of my own sister. I am an accomplice
In all! I spar'd!—I sav'd him! There are things
To show whom mercy is a wicked cruelty—
The snake, the wolf, the man who trades in blood,
There's but one word for “Kill!” they but tempt Heav'n
Who spare them. There are spectres in my eyes,
That will not leave them. Darkness, or the light,
Open, or clos'd, there is the bleeding Claude,
And there the pale, sham'd, silent Madelon.
How can I sear this horror from my heart?
What offering of life, or more than life,
Can pluck the guilt out? Oh, that by this hand,
Weak, but devoted by my soul, the sword
Of vengeance and protection might be wielded
To guard the future, and revenge the past,
How gladly would I grasp on martyrdom,
And own no thought, no hope, no pain, no fear,
But for my righteous task. Oh, that my will
Could pluck down power, thought it crush'd myself,
To exterminate the invaders!
(Joan returns to C.)
(A very low sweet organ peal is heard.)
Strange! and yet
I have dreamed so sometimes, when I could scarce
Distinguish truth from fancy.
(It swells and then dies away.)
Is it gone?
I could weep, for it, 'twas so beautiful!
[She kneels before the statue.
Oh, do not leave me, holy, happy thoughts
Which these sounds brought to me. Here have I knelt
Before, and found sweet answers to my prayer;
Be gracious, holy Agnes, to me now.

(She falls asleep, the moon becomes obscured. A voice is heard from the statue.)
Voice.
Maiden, the prayer thou hast preferred,
Is by supernal powers heard;
I can thy inmost wishes see,
Thy thoughts shall answer be to me.
Thou shalt have all that thou dost ask,
If thou dar'st accept the task;
Devoting all thou hast and art,
Even the weakness of thy heart.
High spirits wait on thy command,
All power is thine to save the land;
But if for thine own selfish ends,
Thou usest that which Heaven lends;
Thy glory shall depart, thy soul
Fall under evil powers' controul;
Thy country perish in the strife,
Unless 'tis ransom'd with thy life.
(A few sustained notes on the organ.)
I read thy heart—the means, behold!

The arched window becomes transparent and behind it is presented a Tableau vivant of the King's court, with Joan led in by Dunois.
Chorus
invisible.
Maiden! fear not! the bravest knight shall bring
Thee and thy cause before thy country's king.

(The Tableau dissolves.)
Voice.
Thy arms, the banner thou'lt unfold,
Shall to thy sight now present be;
The sword, which pictur'd thou wilt see
Command be taken from a cell,
In which the mouldering buried dwell,
Beneath St. Katharine's altar stone,
Nor shall the sword be there alone.
As tokens they to thee are given,
Thy country's fetters shall be riven,
And every friend and every foe,
Thee for her great avenger know.
See Orleans, Charles's hope and tower,
From England rescued by thy power.

The Second tableau. Joan on her coal-black horse before the burning forts raised against Orleans.
Chorus.
Hail to thee, maiden. Hail!
These shall thy triumphs be.
Hail to thee, maiden. Hail,
All shall thy glory see!

Statue.
Now to thy grateful country's praise,
Maiden, thy rapt senses raise!
Behold the holiest festival;
The land redeem'd from foreign thrall
By thee: behold thy great reward.
Chosen upon her sovereign lord
To place the French imperial crown.
Behold and joy the unmatch'd renown.

Third Tableau. The Coronation of Charles by Joan in the Cathedral of Rheims.
Chorus
invisible.
Maiden behold thy native country free!
Next heav'n, thy king shall hold his crown from thee.

The chorus dies away. The tableau dissolves, the organ peal is heard while the moon shines out upon the pillars and statue, and all resumes the appearance of the scene as at its opening.
Joan.
(Rushing from her sleep.)
I accept, I claim the task! Twas no mere dream!
I feel the strong assurance in my soul—
I am not as I was—the immortal sights
Have made me part of them! Spirits of the slain,
Rejoice ye, for I come in vengeance arm'd
With power to chase your murderers from the land.
The glow of battle circles in my veins,
Eternal Heavens! I am your instrument!
Up France and strike—I bring deliverance!

[Exit L.