The Maid of Orleans

SCENE V

A KNIGHT, entering hastily.

CHARLES

 
   What tidings? Speak!
 

KNIGHT

 
               The foe has crossed the Marne,
   And marshalleth his army for the fight.
 

JOHANNA (inspired).

 
   Battle and tumult! Now my soul is free.
   Arm, warriors, arm! while I prepare the troops.
 

[She goes out.

CHARLES

 
   Follow, La Hire! E'en at the gates of Rheims
   They will compel us to dispute the crown!
 

DUNOIS

 
   No genuine courage prompts them. This essay
   Is the last effort of enraged despair.
 

CHARLES

 
   I do not urge you, duke. To-day's the time
   To compensate the errors of the past.
 

BURGUNDY

 
   You shall be satisfied with me.
 

CHARLES

 
                    Myself
   Will march before you on the path of fame;
   Here, with my royal town of Rheims in view,
   I'll fight, and gallantry achieve the crown.
   Thy knight, my Agnes, bids thee now farewell!
 

AGNES (embracing him)

 
   I do not weep, I do not tremble for thee;
   My faith, unshaken, cleaveth unto God!
   Heaven, were we doomed to failure, had not given
   So many gracious pledges of success!
   My heart doth whisper me that, victory-crowned,
   In conquered Rheims, I shall embrace my king.
 

[Trumpets sound with a spirited tone, and while the scene is changing pass into a wild martial strain. When the scene opens, the orchestra joins in, accompanied by warlike instruments behind the scene.

SCENE VI

The scene changes to an open country skirted with trees. During the music soldiers are seen retreating hastily across the background.

TALBOT, leaning on FASTOLFE, and accompanied by soldiers. Soon after, LIONEL.

TALBOT

 
   Here lay me down beneath the trees, and then
   Betake you back, with speed, unto the fight;
   I need no aid to die.
 

FASTOLFE

 
               Oh, woful day!
 

[LIONEL enters.

 
   Behold what sign awaits you, Lionel!
   Here lies our general wounded unto death.
 

LIONEL

 
   Now, God forbid! My noble lord, arise!
   No moment this to falter and to sink.
   Yield not to death. By your all-powerful will
   Command your ebbing spirit still to live.
 

TALBOT

 
   In vain! The day of destiny is come,
   Which will o'erthrow the English power in France.
   In desperate combat I have vainly risked
   The remnant of our force to ward it off.
   Struck by the thunderbolt I prostrate lie,
   Never to rise again. Rheims now is lost,
   Hasten to succor Paris!
 

LIONEL

 
   Paris is with the Dauphin reconciled;
   A courier even now has brought the news.
 

TALBOT (tearing off his bandages)

 
   Then freely flow, ye currents of my blood,
   For Talbot now is weary of the sun!
 

LIONEL

 
   I may no longer tarry: Fastolfe, haste!
   Convey our leader to a place of safety.
   No longer now can we maintain this post;
   Our flying troops disperse on every side,
   On, with resistless might, the maiden comes.
 

TALBOT

 
   Folly, thou conquerest, and I must yield!
   Against stupidity the very gods.
   Themselves contend in vain. Exalted reason,
   Resplendent daughter of the head divine,
   Wise foundress of the system of the world,
   Guide of the stars, who art thou then if thou,
   Bound to the tail of folly's uncurbed steed,
   Must, vainly shrieking with the drunken crowd,
   Eyes open, plunge down headlong in the abyss.
   Accursed, who striveth after noble ends,
   And with deliberate wisdom forms his plans!
   To the fool-king belongs the world.
 

LIONEL

 
                      My lord,
   But for a few brief moments can you live —
   Think of your Maker!
 

TALBOT

 
              Had we, like brave men,
   Been vanquished by the brave, we might, indeed,
   Console ourselves that 'twas the common lot;
   For fickle fortune aye revolves her wheel.
   But to be baffled by such juggling arts!
   Deserved our earnest and laborious life
   Not a more earnest issue?
 

LIONEL (extends his hand to him)

 
                 Fare you well!
   The debt of honest tears I will discharge
   After the battle – if I then survive.
   Now Fate doth call me hence, where on the field
   Her web she waveth, and dispenseth doom.
   We in another world shall meet again;
   For our long friendship, this a brief farewell.
 

[Exit.

TALBOT

 
   Soon is the struggle past, and to the earth,
   To the eternal sun, I render back
   These atoms, joined in me for pain and pleasure.
   And of the mighty Talbot, who the world
   Filled with his martial glory, there remains
   Naught save a modicum of senseless dust.
   Such is the end of man – the only spoil
   We carry with us from life's battle-field,
   Is but an insight into nothingness,
   And utter scorn of all which once appeared
   To us exalted and desirable.
 

SCENE VII

CHARLES, BURGUNDY, DUNOIS, DUCHATEL, and Soldiers.

BURGUNDY

 
   The trench is stormed!
 

DUNOIS

 
               The victory is ours!
 

CHARLES (perceiving TALBOT.)

 
   Look! Who is he, who yonder of the sun
   Taketh reluctant, sorrowful farewell?
   His armor indicates no common man;
   Go, succor him, if aid may yet avail.
 

[Soldiers of the KING'S retinue step forward.

FASTOLFE

 
   Back! Stand apart! Respect the mighty dead,
   Whom ye in life ne'er ventured to approach!
 

BURGUNDY

 
   What do I see? Lord Talbot in his blood!
 

[He approaches him. TALBOT gazes fixedly at him, and dies.

FASTOLFE

 
   Traitor, avaunt! Let not the sight of thee
   Poison the dying hero's parting glance.
 

DUNOIS

 
   Resistless hero! Dread-inspiring Talbot!
   Does such a narrow space suffice thee now,
   And this vast kingdom could not satisfy
   The large ambition of thy giant soul!
   Now first I can salute you, sire, as king:
   The diadem but tottered on your brow,
   While yet a spirit tenanted this clay.
 

CHARLES (after contemplating the body in silence)

 
   A higher power hath vanquished him, not we!
   He lies upon the soil of France, as lies
   The hero on the shield he would not quit.
   Well, peace be with his ashes! Bear him hence!
 

[Soldiers take up the body and carry it away.

 
   Here in the heart of France, where his career
   Of conquest ended, let his relics lie!
   So far no hostile sword attained before.
   A fitting tomb shall memorize his name;
   His epitaph the spot whereon he fell.
 

FASTOLFE (yielding his sword)

 
   I am your prisoner, sir.
 

CHARLES (returning his sword)

 
                Not so! Rude war
   Respects each pious office; you are free
   To render the last honors to the dead,
   Go now, Duchatel – still my Agnes trembles —
   Hasten to snatch her from anxiety —
   Bring her the tidings of our victory,
   And usher her in triumph into Rheims!
 

[Exit DUCHATEL.

SCENE VIII

The same. LA HIRE.

 

DUNOIS

 
   La Hire, where is the maiden?
 

LA HIRE

 
                   That I ask
   Of you; I left her fighting by your side.
 

DUNOIS

 
   I thought she was protected by your arm,
   When I departed to assist the king.
 

BURGUNDY

 
   Not long ago I saw her banner wave
   Amidst the thickest of the hostile ranks.
 

DUNOIS

 
   Alas! where is she? Evil I forebode?
   Come, let us haste to rescue her. I fear
   Her daring soul hath led her on too far;
   Alone she combats in the midst of foes,
   And without succor yieldeth to the crowd.
 

CHARLES

 
   Haste to her rescue!
 

LA HIRE

 
              Come!
 

BURGUNDY

 
                  We follow all!
 

[Exit.

[They retire in haste. A deserted part of the battle-field. In the distance are seen the towers of Rheims illumined by the sun.

SCENE IX

A KNIGHT in black armor, with closed visor. JOHANNA follows him to the front of the stage, where he stops and awaits her.

JOHANNA

 
   Deluder! now I see thy stratagem!
   Thou hast deceitfully, through seeming flight,
   Allured me from the battle, doom and death
   Averting thus from many a British head.
   Destruction now doth overtake thyself.
 

BLACK KNIGHT

 
   Why dost thou follow after me and track
   My steps with quenchless rage? I am not doomed
   To perish by thy hand.
 

JOHANNA

 
               Deep in my soul
   I hate thee as the night, which is thy color;
   To blot thee out from the fair light of day
   An irresistible desire impels me.
   Who art thou? Raise thy visor. I had said
   That thou wert Talbot had I not myself
   Seen warlike Talbot in the battle fall.
 

BLACK KNIGHT

 
   Is the divining-spirit mute in thee?
 

JOHANNA

 
   His voice speaks loudly in my spirit's depth
   The near approach of woe.
 

BLACK KNIGHT

 
                 Johanna D'Arc!
   Borne on the wings of conquest, thou hast reached
   The gates of Rheims. Let thy achieved renown
   Content thee. Fortune, like thy slave, till now
   Hath followed thee; dismiss her, ere in wrath
   She free herself; fidelity she hates;
   She serveth none with constancy till death.
 

JOHANNA

 
   Why check me in the midst of my career?
   Why bid me falter and forsake my work?
   I will complete it and fulfil my vow!
 

BLACK KNIGHT

 
   Nothing can thee, thou mighty one, withstand,
   In battle thou art aye invincible.
   But henceforth shun the fight; attend my warning.
 

JOHANNA

 
   Not from my hand will I resign this sword
   Till haughty England's prostrate in the dust.
 

BLACK KNIGHT

 
   Behold! there Rheims ariseth with its towers,
   The goal and end of thy career. Thou seest
   The lofty minster's sun-illumined dome;
   Thou in triumphal pomp wouldst enter there,
   Thy monarch crown, and ratify thy vow.
   Enter not there! Return! Attend my warning!
 

JOHANNA

 
   What art thou, double-tongued, deceitful being,
   Who wouldst bewilder and appal me? Speak!
   By what authority dost thou presume
   To greet me with fallacious oracles?
 

[The BLACK KNIGHT is about to depart, she steps in his way.

 
   No, thou shalt speak, or perish by my hand!
 

[She endeavors to strike him.

BLACK KNIGHT (touches her with his hand, she remains motionless)

 
   Slay what is mortal!
 

[Darkness, thunder and lightning. The KNIGHT sinks into the earth.

JOHANNA (stands at first in amazement, but soon recovers herself)

 
   'Twas nothing living. 'Twas a base delusion,
   An instrument of hell, a juggling fiend,
   Uprisen hither from the fiery pool
   To shake and terrify my steadfast heart.
   Wielding the sword of God, whom should I fear!
   I will triumphantly achieve my work.
   My courage should not waver, should not fail
   Were hell itself to champion me to fight!
 

[She is about to depart.

SCENE X

LIONEL, JOHANNA.

LIONEL

 
   Accursed one, prepare thee for the fight!
   Not both of us shall quit this field alive.
   Thou hast destroyed the bravest of our host
   The noble Talbot hath his mighty soul
   Breathed forth upon my bosom. I'll avenge
   The hero, or participate his doom.
   And wouldst thou know who brings thee glory now,
   Whether he live or die, – I'm Lionel,
   The sole survivor of the English chiefs,
   And still unconquered is this valiant arm.
 

[He rushes upon her; after a short combat she strikes the sword out of his hand.

 
   Perfidious fortune!
 

[He wrestles with her. JOHANNA seizes him by the crest and tears open his helmet; his face is thus exposed; at the same time she draws her sword with her right hand.

JOHANNA

 
              Suffer, what thou soughtest!
   The Virgin sacrifices thee through me!
 

[At this moment she gazes in his face. His aspect softens her, she remains motionless and slowly lets her arm sink.

LIONEL

 
   Why linger, why withhold the stroke of death?
   My glory thou hast taken – take my life!
   I want no mercy, I am in thy power.
 

[She makes him a sign with her hand to fly.

 
   How! shall I fly and owe my life to thee?
   No, I would rather die.
 

JOHANNA (with averted face)

 
                I will not know
   That ever thou didst owe thy life to me.
 

LIONEL

 
   I hate alike thee and thy proffered gift.
   I want no mercy – kill thine enemy
   Who loathes and would have slain thee.
 

JOHANNA

 
                       Slay me, then,
   And fly!
 

LIONEL

 
        Ha! What is this?
 

JOHANNA (hiding her face)

 
                  Woe's me!
 

LIONEL (approaching her)

 
                        'Tis said
   Thou killest all the English whom thy sword
   Subdues in battle – why spare me alone?
 

JOHANNA (raises her sword with a rapid movement as if to strike him, but lets it fall quickly when she gazes on his face)

 
   Oh, Holy Virgin!
 

LIONEL

 
            Wherefore namest thou
   The Holy Virgin? she knows naught of thee;
   Heaven hath no part in thee.
 

JOHANNA (in the greatest anxiety)

 
                  What have I done?
   Alas! I've broke my vow!
 

[She wrings her hands in despair.

LIONEL (looks at her with sympathy and approaches her)

 
                 Unhappy maid!
   I pity thee! Thy sorrow touches me;
   Thou hast shown mercy unto me alone,
   My hatred yielded unto sympathy!
   Who art thou, and whence comest thou?
 

JOHANNA

 
                       Away!
 

LIONEL

 
   Thy youth, thy beauty, move my soul to pity!
   Thy look sinks in my heart. I fain would save thee!
   How may I do so? tell me. Come! oh, come!
   Renounce this fearful league – throw down these arms!
 

JOHANNA

 
   I am unworthy now to carry them!
 

LIONEL

 
   Then throw them from thee – quick! come, follow me!
 

JOHANNA (with horror)

 
   How! follow thee!
 

LIONEL

 
             Thou may'st be saved. Oh, come!
   I will deliver thee, but linger not.
   Strange sorrow for thy sake doth seize my heart,
   Unspeakable desire to rescue thee —
 

[He seizes her arm.

JOHANNA

 
   The Bastard comes! 'Tis they! They seek for me!
   If they should find thee —
 

LIONEL

 
                 I'll defend thee, maid.
 

JOHANNA

 
   I die if thou shouldst perish by their hands!
 

LIONEL

 
   Am I then dear to thee?
 

JOHANNA

 
                Ye heavenly powers!
 

LIONEL

 
   Shall I again behold thee – hear from thee?
 

JOHANNA

 
   No! never!
 

LIONEL

 
         Thus this sword I seize in pledge
   That I again behold thee!
 

[He snatches her sword.

JOHANNA

 
                 Madman, hold!
   Thou darest?
 

LIONEL

 
   Now I yield to force – again
   I'll see thee!
 

[He retires.

SCENE XI

JOHANNA, DUNOIS, LA HIRE.

 

LA HIRE

 
           It is she! The maiden lives!
 

DUNOIS

 
   Fear not, Johanna! friends are at thy side.
 

LA HIRE

 
   Is not that Lionel who yonder flies?
 

DUNOIS

 
   Let him escape! Maiden, the righteous cause
   Hath triumphed now. Rheims opens wide its gates;
   The joyous crowds pour forth to meet their king.
 

LA HIRE

 
   What ails thee, maiden? She grows pale – she sinks!
 

[JOHANNA grows dizzy, and is about to fall.

DUNOIS

 
   She's wounded – rend her breastplate – 'tis her arm!
   The wound is not severe.
 

LA HIRE

 
                Her blood doth flow.
 

JOHANNA

 
   Oh, that my life would stream forth with my blood!
 

[She lies senseless in LA HIRE'S arms.

ACT IV

A hall adorned as for a festival; the columns are hung with garlands; behind the scene flutes and hautboys.

SCENE I

JOHANNA

 
   Hushed is the din of arms, war's storms subside,
   Glad songs and dance succeed the bloody fray,
   Through all the streets joy echoes far and wide,
   Altar and church are decked in rich array,
   Triumphal arches rise in vernal pride,
   Wreathes round the columns wind their flowery way,
   Wide Rheims cannot contain the mighty throng,
   Which to joyous pageant rolls along.
 
 
   One thought alone doth every heart possess,
   One rapt'rous feeling o'er each breast preside.
   And those to-day are linked in happiness
   Whom bloody hatred did erewhile divide.
   All who themselves of Gallic race confess
   The name of Frenchman own with conscious pride,
   France sees the splendor of her ancient crown,
   And to her monarch's son bows humbly down.
 
 
   Yet I, the author of this wide delight,
   The joy, myself created, cannot share;
   My heart is changed, in sad and dreary plight
   It flies the festive pageant in despair;
   Still to the British camp it taketh flight,
   Against my will my gaze still wanders there,
   And from the throng I steal, with grief oppressed,
   To hide the guilt which weighs upon my breast!
 
 
   What! I permit a human form
   To haunt my bosom's sacred cell?
   And there, where heavenly radiance shone,
   Doth earthly love presume to dwell?
   The savior of my country, I,
   The warrior of God most high,
   Burn for my country's foeman? Dare I name
   Heaven's holy light, nor feel o'erwhelmed with shame?
 

[The music behind the scene passes into a soft and moving melody.

 
      Woe is me! Those melting tones!
       They distract my 'wildered brain!
      Every note, his voice recalling,
       Conjures up his form again
 
 
      Would that spears were whizzing round!
       Would that battle's thunder roared!
      'Midst the wild tumultuous sound
       My former strength were then restored.
 
 
      These sweet tones, these melting voices,
       With seductive power are fraught!
      They dissolve, in gentle longing,
       Every feeling, every thought,
      Waking tears of plaintive sadness.
 

[After a pause, with more energy.

 
   Should I have killed him? Could I, when I gazed
   Upon his face? Killed him? Oh, rather far
   Would I have turned my weapon 'gainst myself!
   And am I culpable because humane?
   Is pity sinful? Pity! Didst then hear
   The voice of pity and humanity
   When others fell the victims of thy sword?
   Why was she silent when the gentle youth
   From Wales entreated thee to spare his life?
   Oh, cunning heart! Thou liest before high heaven!
   It is not pity's voice impels thee now!
   Why was I doomed to look into his eyes!
   To mark his noble features! With that glance,
   Thy crime, thy woe commenced. Unhappy one!
   A sightless instrument thy God demands,
   Blindly thou must accomplish his behest!
   When thou didst see, God's shield abandoned thee,
   And the dire snares of hell around thee pressed!
 

[Flutes are again heard, and she subsides into a quiet melancholy.

 
      Harmless staff! Oh, that I ne'er
       Had for the sword abandoned thee!
      Had voices never reached mine ear,
       From thy branches, sacred tree!
      High queen of heaven! Oh, would that thou
       Hadst ne'er revealed thyself to me!
      Take back – I dare not claim it now —
       Take back thy crown, 'tis not for me!
 
 
      I saw the heavens open wide,
       I gazed upon that face of love!
      Yet here on earth my hopes abide,
       They do not dwell in heaven above!
      Why, Holy One, on me impose
       This dread vocation? Could I steel,
      And to each soft emotion close
       This heart, by nature formed to feel?
 
 
      Wouldst thou proclaim thy high command,
       Make choice of those who, free from sin,
      In thy eternal mansions stand;
       Send forth thy flaming cherubim!
      Immortal ones, thy law they keep,
      They do not feel, they do not weep!
      Choose not a tender woman's aid,
      Not the frail soul of shepherd maid!
 
 
      Was I concerned with warlike things,
      With battles or the strife of kings?
      In innocence I led my sheep
      Adown the mountain's silent steep,
      But thou didst send me into life,
      Midst princely halls and scenes of strife,
      To lose my spirit's tender bloom
      Alas, I did not seek my doom!
 

SCENE II

AGNES SOREL, JOHANNA.

SOREL (advances joyfully. When she perceives JOHANNA she hastens to her and falls upon her neck; then suddenly recollecting herself; she relinquishes her hold, and falls down before her)

 
   No! no! not so! Before thee in the dust —
 

JOHANNA (trying to raise her)

 
   Arise! Thou dost forget thyself and me.
 

SOREL

 
   Forbid me not! 'tis the excess of joy
   Which throws me at thy feet – I must pour forth
   My o'ercharged heart in gratitude to God;
   I worship the Invisible in thee.
   Thou art the angel who has led my lord
   To Rheims, to crown him with the royal crown.
   What I ne'er dreamed to see is realized!
   The coronation march will soon set forth;
   Arrayed in festal pomp the monarch stands;
   Assembled are the nobles of the realm,
   The mighty peers to bear the insignia;
   To the cathedral rolls the billowy crowd;
   Glad songs resound, the bells unite their peal:
   Oh, this excess of joy I cannot bear!
 

[JOHANNA gently raises her. AGNES SOREL pauses a moment, and surveys the MAIDEN more narrowly.

 
   Yet thou remainest ever grave and stern;
   Thou canst create delight, yet share it not.
   Thy heart is cold, thou feelest not our joy,
   Thou hast beheld the glories of the skies;
   No earthly interest moveth thy pure breast.
 

[JOHANNA seizes her hand passionately, but soon lets it fall again.

 
   Oh, couldst thou own a woman's feeling heart!
   Put off this armor, war is over now,
   Confess thy union with the softer sex!
   My loving heart shrinks timidly from thee,
   While thus thou wearest Pallas' brow severe.
 

JOHANNA

 
   What wouldst thou have me do?
 

SOREL

 
                   Unarm thyself!
   Put off this coat of mail! The God of Love
   Fears to approach a bosom clad in steel.
   Oh, be a woman, thou wilt feel his power!
 

JOHANNA

 
   What, now unarm myself? Midst battle's roar
   I'll bare my bosom to the stroke of death!
   Not now! Would that a sevenfold wall of brass
   Could hide me from your revels, from myself!
 

SOREL

 
   Thou'rt loved by Count Dunois. His noble heart,
   Which virtue and renown alone inspire,
   With pure and holy passion glows for thee.
   Oh, it is sweet to know oneself beloved
   By such a hero – sweeter still to love him!
 

[JOHANNA turns away with aversion.

 
   Thou hatest him? – No, no, thou only canst
   Not love him: – how could hatred stir thy breast!
   Those who would tear us from the one we love,
   We hate alone; but none can claim thy love.
   Thy heart is tranquil – if it could but feel —
 

JOHANNA

 
   Oh, pity me! Lament my hapless fate!
 

SOREL

 
   What can be wanting to complete thy joy?
   Thou hast fulfilled thy promise, France is free,
   To Rheims, in triumph, thou hast led the king,
   Thy mighty deeds have gained thee high renown,
   A happy people praise and worship thee;
   Thy name, the honored theme of every tongue;
   Thou art the goddess of this festival;
   The monarch, with his crown and regal state,
   Shines not with greater majesty than thou!
 

JOHANNA

 
   Oh, could I hide me in the depths of earth!
 

SOREL

 
   Why this emotion? Whence this strange distress?
   Who may to-day look up without a fear
   If thou dost cast thine eyes upon the ground!
   It is for me to blush, me, who near thee
   Feel all my littleness; I cannot reach
   The lofty virtue, thy heroic strength!
   For – all my weakness shall I own to thee?
   Not the renown of France, my Fatherland,
   Not the new splendor of the monarch's crow,
   Not the triumphant gladness of the crowds,
   Engage this woman's heart. One only form
   Is in its depths enshrined; it hath no room
   For any feeling save for one alone:
   He is the idol, him the people bless,
   Him they extol, for him they strew these flowers,
   And he is mine, he is my own true love!
 

JOHANNA

 
   Oh, thou art happy! thou art blessed indeed!
   Thou lovest, where all love. Thou may'st, unblamed
   Pour forth thy rapture, and thine inmost heart,
   Fearless discover to the gaze of man!
   Thy country's triumph is thy lover's too.
   The vast, innumerable multitudes,
   Who, rolling onward, crowd within these walls,
   Participate thy joy, they hallow it;
   Thee they salute, for thee they twine the wreath,
   Thou art a portion of the general joy;
   Thou lovest the all-inspiring soul, the sun,
   And what thou seest is thy lover's glory!
 

SOREL (falling on her neck)

 
   Thou dost delight me, thou canst read my heart!
   I did thee wrong, thou knowest what love is,
   Thou tell'st my feelings with a voice of power.
   My heart forgets its fear and its reserve,
   And seeks confidingly to blend with thine —
 

JOHANNA (tearing herself from her with violence)

 
   Forsake me! Turn away! Do not pollute
   Thyself by longer intercourse with me!
   Be happy! go – and in the deepest night
   Leave me to hide my infamy, my woe!
 

SOREL

 
   Thou frighten'st me, I understand thee not,
   I ne'er have understood thee – for from me
   Thy dark mysterious being still was veiled.
   Who may divine what thus disturbs thy heart,
   Thus terrifies thy pure and sacred soul!
 

JOHANNA

 
   Thou art the pure, the holy one! Couldst thou
   Behold mine inmost heart, thou, shuddering,
   Wouldst fly the traitoress, the enemy!