University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

—The Interior of the Cathedral at Rheims. All the French party attending on the Coronation. The Third Chorus is sung, then great shouts.
Charles.
(Advancing C.)
This is the solemn seal of our success,
That from the hand that has won back our kingdom;
We shall receive its crown.
And now, look round thee,
Advance! (To Thibaut and Madelon.)
Behold, who share thy honours with thee,
Rejoice for them!

Joan.
(Throwing herself into Thibaut's arms, R.)
My father!

Thi.
My blest child!

Charles.
Blest be the daughter in her father's blessing!
Next to our royal house thy house shall be
First in the land, and on thy shield the arms
Of France be borne, that henceforth thy alliance
May add a dignity to proudest nobles.
Choose thou a prince,
Be he the highest, it shall be his glory
To call thee his!

Dun.
(R.)
Before my king and France,
I here proclaim such were my proudest honour;
Nor for the glory only do I seek her,
But as the dearest, gentlest, fondest wish,
Can fill with happiness a brave man's heart!

Joan.
(R.C.)
It must not be. Spare me, I am unworthy;
My father, and my king, and brave Dunois,
Pardon me all! Know when the might was given me,
By which the land is freed, I cast aside
All that could tempt me from the sacred cause
For which my power was given; the weal of France
Is my vow'd, sole, and, all engrossing hope,
There is no love with which this heart can beat,
That were not sin 'gainst that heav'n answer'd vow,
I am sworn to it!
With me death, sin, and love are one!
(A shout is heard without.)
That shout!
What means it?

Charles.
Are the foe on us again?

Joan.
It struck upon my heart
With a more fatal fear.
Is't so? Must we to arms?

La Hire.
(Returning from the side.)
'Tis but the people!
Incensed with the long cruelties of war,
Striving to wreak their vengeance on a prisoner!

Charles.
A prisoner!

La Hire.
It is not well now to contend with them,
Nor is it safe—their sufferings have earn'd
The right to slay him!

Charles.
Slay! Who is that prisoner?

La Hire.
The one, (To Joan.)
at Orleans, whom your mercy spared—
The English leader, Lionel!

Joan.
Is't he?
Do none of you feel pity for a youth
Slain cowardly by the hands of ruffians, hopelessly
Led to the slaughter?

Dun,
He's an Englishman!
We must not tempt the people.

Joan.
In the church
Of heaven, he says this—King, and you brave knights,
Say you as he does, or—all silent! all!
Will none go forth?

Charles.
The guards will do their duty.

Joan.
Have thy guards done their duty, when to save
Thy kingdom was their office?

Charles.
Does thy heart
Turn from its office? Thou hast led us on
With words of vengeance, thou hast told us slaughter
Became a righteous deed!

Joan.
I did! I did!
It was, it is my office. Must this be?
(Appealing to Heaven. Another shout.)
How now?

La Hire.
They break the prison gates!

Joan.
Merciful Heaven!
Do no brave hearts oppose them?

La Hire.
All are borne
Away in the great tide—the doors are burst;

Joan.
They'll slay him! and I have the power
To save! Will none follow me?
Great shouts—Lionel rushes in followed by Colbert, Gravelle, and the mob, whom Arnaud and Montfort, endeavour to keep back. Joan interposes and stand before him
Forbear, you stand
Before your king!—before a greater power!
You are within the church!

Col.
He slew your brother!
Down with him!

All.
Down with him!

Joan.
Give me your hand,
Life, death, weal, woe eternal, all for thee!
King, thou has given me thy royal word
That whatsoe'er I ask is mine. In recompence
Of all thou deemest worthy thanks—grant me
His life!

Mob.
No, no, he shall not live!—Strike!—Down with him!

Charles.
Silence!—You hear the people—hear the cry
Of blood that calls for blood to answer it!
For safety and for right he must be yielded.

Joan.
Is there no truth, no mercy, justice, honour,
Left in thy heart great king! Here, Lionel,
Cling to the altar rails—Keep back from him!
He is within the sanctuary of heaven!
Now cower ye whom fear alone can teach,
Or slay us both upon the holy altar.
King, shall the sacred oil that should anoint thee
Be mingled with man's blood? Wilt thou have shrieks
Of death ring where the solemn strain of blessing
Should peal? Wilt thou declare to man
And heaven, a murder, for thy reign's first act?
Or shall a deed of mercy hallow thee
A monarch, consecrate thy rule to peace?

Charles.
If we might spare—

Joan.
Might! Art thou not a king?
I do not urge what I have done to save
Thee and thy realm; but if thou dost deny me
My task is done. I lay upon this altar.
The symbols heaven has lent me—in its name,
No more I lead the bands to victory,
That know not how to spare a fallen foe!

Charles.
My people! You and I owe all to her,
Let him be spared, let him pass freely hence.
We must not war with heaven!

Joan.
Bless thee, king!
And blessings on ye all—my countrymen!
Do not your hearts feel blessed in this act?
Cannot you now pour out pure thanks for peace
Restored—upheld by mercy! Take thy crown—
With it all love—Long live the king!

Chorus—The King is crowned—the groupes forming Third Tableau in Vision.

SCENE II.

—A gloomy Cavern. The path is indicated on the upper part of the scene R, by a few blighted shrubs, on which the camp fires reflect: further in is seen a subterranean waterfall
Enter Isabel and Colambert R.
Isa.
Deny me not—no word of hesitation—
I need thy aid.

Col.
Thou fearless-hearted woman,
'Tis such as thou control the powers of darkness
And make them slaves to their brave purposes.

Isa.
Summon some fiend to wreak my wrath on her—
The prophetess—the wondrous maid of Orleans!
And he shall have the worship of my life;
And thou such guerdon as beseems a queen.

Wizard.
The maiden giving all to save her country,
Without one selfish thought to invite temptation,
Smiles at the powers infernal. Yet though it pierce me
With all the agonies of envying malice—
Yet against hope—I'll do thy bidding queen!
But be prepared to encounter fearful wrath,
From those we summon vainly.
He collects weeds and makes a small fire before the waterfall, into which he throws a powder; as the smoke passes the waterfall becomes illuminated with a dim, murky redness, and the shadow of Joan appears in it in an attitude of despair. Low mournful wild music.
Ha! is it so?

Isa.
What strange joy flashes in thine eyes?

Wizard.
Peace, peace!
She thinks in sorrow; if she thinks in sin,
'Tis mine to know her thoughts.
He throws in another powder, the shade of Lionel appears
Her vow is broken
Within her heart if not in very deed!
Dread powers! answer me! Shew me the past!
I may not ask the future, but the past
Shall shew me that.
He throws in another powder. Joan is seen rescuing Lionel.
Look, look! what she hath done!
Against her vow she hath saved her enemy,
The enemy of her land.
Joan gives him the sword; he departs after leavetaking, as they speak.
And now, dost see

Isa.
She gives a sword

Wizard.
It is the sword she bore,
The gift of miracle. With that she yields
The fortunes of your foes.

Isa.
Dost thou speak true?

Wizard.
Look at her own despair! She hath cast aside
Her glory and her oath.
He throws in another powder, the rescue of Lionel is seen, as in the 1st. scene, but in the same dim, gloomy firelight.
Queen! I will call the fiend.
She hath been assisted by supernal powers,
The heart of flesh betrays her now to us.
Waves his hand, throws in fresh fuel.

Chorus
heard, invisible.
Open the flaming portals wide,
Go forth on the lava tide,
Go! our blessing is a ban,
Go wreak evil upon man!

Thunder and lightning. The rockbursts with noise and flame. The Black Knight with his visor closed appears before them.
Black Knight.
(C)
I know my errand. Queen, I'll to thy leaders.
Stir not to cross me. See here is thy signet,
Which they obey. Stir not and she is thine,
And all that follow her.

(He vanishes R.U.E.)
Wizard.
Thy wish is granted.

Isa.
Let her be mine, and all that thou canst wish
Shall be the price. But whither goes that man?

Wizard.
That man! already he hath done whate'er
Is needed in thy camp. Already is he
With her.

Isa.
With her! what will he do?

Wizard.
I cannot
Shew thee the future, but whatever is
May be before thee, see.

(Throws powder on the fire.)
The shadows appear acting the language spoken, to low melancholy music,
Isa.
The knight and she
Converse. Who is that youth dissuading her,
And watching with suspicion him you sent?

Wizard.
It is her lover, Raimond.

Isa.
See she assents
To the Black Knight.

Wizard.
What ear could close itself
Against the melody of his persuasion,
He knows each thought she owns, and answers it,
And guides it to his purpose.

Isa.
(in ecstacy.)
She comes with him!

Wizard.
But the youth looks on high and follows her.
The vision passes.

Isa.
More!

Wizard.
Cease woman, cease,
He has appealed against us—the event
Must shew the rest.

Isa.
More!

Wizard.
No, my brain is dizzied!
Thou knowest not of these tasks—give me the air—
The fumes we breathe are not the airs of earth,
They madden and destroy. Come, come, I say.

[He draws her with him from the cave R.

SCENE III.

—A Rocky defile.
The Black Knight is discovered C. at the extremity of the pass, he comes slowly forward, followed by Joan; about half way from the front, she stops.
Joan.
(C)
Must we pass further on this desolate track?
[The Black Knight L. points onward.
'Tis wild.
[The Knight motions her to return if she fears.
No! no! 'tis my appointed task.
[They continue to advance to the front of the stage.
Here stand and answer me, where is the foe
Whom thou hast promis'd to deliver up?
Thou camest to me, a Traitor to thy country,
I have but the pledge of a false word to trust thee,
Speak! show me straight the enemy.
[The Knight, L. still points onwards.
We are here
Alone!—speak to me, but a word—one word,
To break this horrid silence—
Why thou hast brought me hither? In this hand
Death hath ere now been wielded,
[The Knight points to her sword, and indicates contempt.
Thou knowest all—
My shame to change that sword! Mysterious man
Who hath informed thee of that unknown deed!
Thou art not he, for whom that change was made?
[The Knight answers no.
He hath not told thee!
[The Knight answers no.
Thou shalt speak to me,
Be what thou wilt! I'll force my soul to mate thee—
Speak!—I will cleave thee dead.
[The Knight advances, and drops his arms, as if to receive the blow.
Dost brave my wrath?
My arm was never powerless till now—
My breath came never heavily, nor dews
Clay-cold burst from my forehead. I am weak.
What is there in his presence, that should awe me,
Mute and defenceless as he stands before me!
And yet—thou wilt not speak—show me thy face,
I do adjure thee by—
(The Knight opens his visor, she stands for a moment transfixed C.)
Or man or demon,
I will not fly thee! Ho, advance! advance!

(The Knight sounds his bugle, a distant answer is heard.)
The English headed by Talbot and Lionel enter, preventing the advance of the French Soldiers C.
Joan.
The fiend hath conquer'd us.
Yet 'twas foretold, my death should save my country.

Tal.
Throw down your arms! the first that strikes a blow,
Dooms not alone himself, but all his fellows
To instant death. Yield all, or all shall die.

Joan.
Here is your mark—this breast!
I am the prophetess—the Maid of Orleans!

Tal.
No, not upon her!
Let not one
Peril her life, but seize on her and bind her.

Joan.
If it must be,
Perhaps it is my lot so to endure,
I can endure for France!

(The English Soldiers advance, the French lay down their arms, Lionel passes silently to Joan.)
Lion.
I will be near thee!

Joan.
Away, thou art my bane! it is for thee
That I have sold my country!

Lion.
My preserver!

Joan,
Leave me!

Lion.
I'll never leave the hope to free thee.

(Goes from her.)
Joan.
On to my death! To shame and death at once!
Why does your vengeance tarry? I shall 'scape you!
There is but one temptation that can slay
My soul, and it is here. Lead to my death!

(They form to lead up the Prisoners, and the Scene closes.)

SCENE IV.

—A Prison.
Isabel enters, with the Gaolor and an Officer.
Isa.
(C)
Safe in my power! safe! Now France is mine!
Mine for the very sport of cruelty.
(To Officer.)
Go you from me to the great Earl of Bedford,
Tell him it is my will, our cause's safety,
He urge her fate on with extremest speed.
There are those who pity, we must care for them
Nor have our prey snatch'd from our very clutch.
Exit Officer C.
Bring her along. This dungeon be her palace!
Sirrah! (To Gaoler.)
you know your office, or you had not
Been chosen for this task. But guard her safely.
Or all I can devise to quell her soul
Shall be pour'd out on thee.

[Exit, followed by Gaoler, the door is heard to be barred
Enter Joan, R. guarded.
Joan.
It must be borne.
They can but slay,
Yet to be led by stern, malicious butchers,
To the public scaffold!
And to see them gloat
On every thrill of agony. Great heaven!
Must I endure this? He! he promis'd me
He said he would release me. No, no, no!
It must not be. If he could save me, innocent!
But I have perill'd all, I must bear all.

Thi.
(Without.)
You'll give me way,

Joan.
My father's voice! Oh, let him
I pray you, let him pass to me. I'll be
Obedient to whatever you exact.

Gaoler.
Go in!

Enter Thibaut, R.
Joan.
There yet is mercy, since you come to me
To pray with me, and cheer me.

Thi.
Stand from me;
I lov'd thee, honour'd thee, as one whose nature
Was above mine, rever'd the child was born to me
I live to curse the hour thou saw'st the light.

Joan.
Father!

Thi.
Thou hast traffic'd with the spirits of evil.
They shout it loudly in the market-place,
Even now the nobles, and the holy prelates
Pass judgment on thee. They, and all men say,
Thou hast made a compact to destroy thy soul.

Joan.
They are my enemies, they foully lie!
They dare not call me to their court of justice,
One look of truth should wither their hypocrisy?
What have my deeds been?
Father, father!
Thou'lt madden me.
Let the King, let France,
Speak for me.

Thi.
All believe thou art accurs'd
Thou led'st the army to the enemy's toils.

Joan.
(Kneeling taking hls hand.)
And thou! thou hast known me from my very birth,
Thou hast nurs'd me! seen me as an innocent child,
Thou hast in me a memory of my mother,
I am to thee as part of thy own self.
My thoughts have been thy training. In my prayers
Thou hast knelt by me; thou can'st not believe
Thy child is such a wretch.
Oh! powers of wrath,
Can I contend with this? What ho! without there!
I must not pause! without there!
Enter Gaoler C.
Speed to Lionel,
Speed to your leader, Lionel! He said
That he would save me. Speed! He'll give thee gold.
Tell him my fate approaches.

Gaoler.
It were useless
The Queen has sent him far from Rouen, he
Will not return to day.

Joan.
(C.)
Not! not return.
All's past! There is no hope for me but heaven!
And that I'll palter with no more,
Speak not to me!
No further hope on earth.—I'll make atonement
For the vow I have broken. I'll not die dishonour'd!
I will save France, and so renew my glory!

Enter Talbot with Attendants (C.)
Tal.
(C.)
Come forth, sorceress!
The insulted power which claiming thou hast mock'd,
Demands thy life be sacrificed, the council
Hath doom'd thy instant death!

Joan.
I thank you for the mercy that you show me
In this my instant doom! 'Tis hard to die
With all men's hatred ringing in my ears,
Without one heart believing in my truth,
But by my death the truth shall be declared,
Slay me, and perish by your own injustice!

Tal.
Thy threats are vain!

Joan.
Now would I have them vain,
If threats you deem them—upon this last trial
I place my fame, my country's gratitude,
My father's love!
Look on me, dear father, does my cheek blanch
As if I fear'd?
Come! Fate has never led me to a glory
Such as ye now prepare for me. Behold
What I am by the event!

[Exeunt C.

SCENE V.

—The Market place of Rouen. Before the Cathedral, a pile and stake are raised C. On the other side. (upper entrances) walls and a gate with portcullis and drawbridge. Guards round the pile. Crowds expecting the execution. Isabel L. with the English.
Isa.
They loiter!

(Shouts)
Officer.
(L.)
They are arriving from the prison,
The people throng about her path to mock her.
(Nearer Shouts.)
Now, now they bring her on.

Isa.
The witch's banner
Place on the pile beside her, let all perish
That speaks a memory of her.

Enter Talbot, Guards and Joan. Thibaut, L.
Tal.
Thy minutes
Are few, declare before the assembled people
The justice of thy sentence, and thy torments
The executioner shall shorten—Sorceress!
Confess thy crimes!

(She is silent.)
Isa.
(R.)
Why ask her own avowal? Is she not
Condemned?

Tal.
Her tongue is mute. That she may put no spells
Upon us—to the stake!

Joan,
(C.)
All, all forsake me,
'Tis well that I should die when not a heart
On earth cleaves to me,
Bind me, and bring the brands, and fire the pile!
You, my father,
When you shall see the truth, it will be sweet
To you, to know that even for the wrong
You do me in my death, I had no thought
But pity!
The ingratitude of all I've lov'd and served,
The maledictions even of those I fall for,
Have taught me I have nought to mourn on earth.

Tal.
Bind her—to the stake!

Lionel rushes in, R.U.E..
Lion.
(L.)
Hold, hold your hands!
Queen, the French press around us, and the embassy
Thou didst command, no daring could accomplish,
But well I guess wherefore you framed that errand,
The intent is frustrate now—Give me her freedom!

Isa.
Not for the crown of France!

Joan.
Why do you loiter?

Lion.
Thou shalt not die! 'twere shame to English honour
That she, who twice has spared an English leader,
Cannot by him be saved from a foul death.
Twice has she peril'd all for me. Who now
Will meet the sword which honest thankfulness
Draws to defend her life?

Isa.
Love draws that sword,
Aye, love for a foul witch!

Lion.
There is no blush,
Proud lady, on my cheek, if love it be,
My passion is my glory!

Tal.
Quick, disarm him!
(They approach.)
Petulant boy! think'st thou that England's weal
Waits on thy passions?

Lion.
Or in life, or death,
We are henceforth one!

Isa.
Poor youth, would'st stain thy lineag
By an alliance with a peasant sorceress?
If so,
We'll spare her for thy sake. Call her thy wife,
Let her become allegiant to our cause,
And wield the sword for us but in one fight,
Her life is spar'd!

Lion.
Then break her bonds at once,
I claim her as my own!

(They advance to release her.)
Joan.
(L.)
Set fire to the pile!

Lion.
Thou art free!—thou art mine!—Did not the peril speak
Which thou hast run for me, that thou did'st love me?
Give me thy hand, and here before my peers
Accept my solemn plight!

Joan.
Lead on to death!

Lion.
Keep back! Oh, think upon thy fearful fate,
Think on the heart would gladly meet it for thee,
Hast thou no tender touch of womanly feeling?
Oh, hast thou never thought upon the bliss
Souls fram'd for love receive? Twice hast thou saved me
Would'st see me perish now in tenfold pain
Because the throes are thine? Speak, do not scorn me;
I never wept a tear yet for myself,
But thou so young, so innocent, so kind,
To die!

Joan.
Thou dost believe me innocent?

Lion.
Can'st ask it?

Joan.
Thou dost love me!

Lion.
All my soul!
Is thine? And thou?

Joan.
I have lov'd thee, Lionel,
Even since first I saw thee!

Lion.
Blessedwords,
She will live for me?

Joan.
No, I die the happier,
To hear all that thou say'st. My love was sin,
When it spar'd my country's foe, and broke the vow
That gave me power. Now it is atonement,
When here upon the altar of my country,
I yield even that, and crave death at your hands,
To save my native land!

Lion.
It cannot be;

Joan.
It will be, you will see it,
Lionel belov'd! Farewell!

Lion.
I'll clasp thee thus
And bear thee from their power.

(A shout.) Enter Officer.
Tal.
What noise is that?

Officer.
The French come on

Lion.
If I can guard thee till they rescue thee.

Tal.
Bring brands and fire the pile

Isa.
Hence with that boy and loiter not!

Tal.
Secure him,
And let her die at once!

Lionel is disarmed.
Lion.
Bind me beside her,
For henceforth I'm your enemy as deadly
As ever she has been.

(Shouts much louder.)
Tal.
Hasten you slaves,
For while the witch lives, her foul cause may prosper.
I'll stem the torrent while you speed her fate.
(Nearer Shouts.—Talbot rushes to the gate.)
They hew the drawbridge chains. (Noise)
It falls! to arms!
She will be rescued!

Joan.
Fear not that. (Seizes her banner.)
On, Frenchmen!
Once more I call to victory!

Tal.
(Stabbing her.)
Die, wretch!

(At that moment, all the walls are scaled, the Portcullis is drawn up, and the wholo town appears in possession of the French. Charles and the French Nobles rush in. The Soldiers break down the stake, and seize the burning brands.)
Joan.
Fools! slaying me you have destroyed yourselves,
All is accomplished now—My friends! my countrymen!
Father! you see the event which I foretold!
King, once more France is free, I was but woman!
And falter'd in the task I dar'd assume;
But now I am forgiven! I am happy!
My death is the deliverance of France!

(Dies.)