Joan of Arc Part 9

ARL. Our loss is great, and will be greater still If we continue this unhallowed war: Many brave men this day have breathed their last:-- Most I regret young Talbot.

OFF. Is he dead?

I saw brave Warwick rushing to his rescue.

ARL. He came too late. From heaps of slain he s.n.a.t.c.hed him, Then bore him to a distance, yet alive; But dews of death were gathering on his brow, And his dim eye betrayed departure near.

He dared not turn him on his side, lest life From that deep welling wound should 'scape too fast.

He watched the sun go down, and darker shades O'erspread his face. Impatient now become, Often he murmured to himself and said, "It is too late; he will not come, and I Must die at last without my father's blessing."

OFF. Many brave hearts will mourn for him: he was A n.o.ble scion of a n.o.ble stem.

ARL. We thought that he was gone, when the quick step Of his despairing father sounded near.

Stern death relaxed his hold, and for short s.p.a.ce Allowed his spirit to reanimate His chilly frame. He raised him on his side, Clung round his father's neck, and looking on him, Feebly he said, "Have I done well, my father?

Am I John Talbot's son?" "Too well! too well!

My brave"--was all the father could reply; But 'twas enough--the young man caught the sound.

And dropping back his head, he smiled and died.

OFF. And his brave sire?

ARL. As if transfixed, he gazed, And mute--then by the body of his son He threw him down, kissed his cold lips, and oft, Midst sobs, he cried, "And art thou gone so soon?

Thy morning ended ere thy noon begun; And such a noon!" but sudden on his hands He saw the crimson stain of that dear blood, And like a lion maddened at the sight, His grief was checked, and springing on his feet He seized his ma.s.sy sword, and wildly rushed Into the fight.

OFF. See figures in the dusk Moving apace. (_Two soldiers appear._)

ARL. Let's draw aside.

OFF. They make For yonder cottage.

SCENE II.--_A Cottage._

WIDOW OF CAMOUSE.

WID. Half light, half dark. Oh, would that reason's lamp Were utterly extinct, and I could lose The sense that thus I am a tomb to self, Where the dim taper only shows its gloom.

Then I should feel no more, no longer mourn, And my poor heart would cease to throb, my head To burn. One,--three are gone, and now the last.

I have no more to lose!

I'll lay him in the bed these hands have dug, (I've kiss'd his eyes to sleep,) and then I'll seek The spirits of my lord and other boys, And bring them here to see, how, e'en in poverty, I've made a home fitting Camouse's son.

E'en now I lose myself, and at my folly Smile while I weep. But hark! what steps are these?

I must within and guard.

_Enter TWO SOLDIERS._

FIRST SOL. Stay! we are hungry and thirsty.--What have you to give us to eat?

WID. My food is woe; and such my appet.i.te I am not to be cloyed, though e'en to surfeit I've been supplied.

SECOND SOL. Her words are strange--her manner is stranger still.-- Hunger is not nice, to be sure.

FIRST SOL. I see but little chance of satisfying hunger here.

SECOND SOL. Ho! there is a smell of wine!--produce it!--come! quick!

Our master is at hand.

WID. Those arms upon their shields!

Away! no longer blast me with your sight.

FIRST SOL. When we have got what we wish, we will.--The wine, the wine, or look, this shall find it. (_draws his sword._)

WID. Think you I care for threat of you, or yours?

Back with your sword; I fear ye not, I tell you; And mark! a fiercer thirst ye all shall have, Nor find one drop to cool your burning tongue.

SECOND SOL. Don't exasperate her; these are strange times, and--

FIRST SOL. Pshaw! the wine we'll have!

WID. Search for it, then--so wondrous keen your longing.

No need have ye of guide. [_SOLDIERS enter the inner apartment._ Does vengeance sleep?

Or will not e'en the dead arise in wrath, And punish the intrusion? [_SOLDIERS return._ Why that look?

What have ye seen to discompose ye thus?

A ghastly corpse? What's that to men like you?

Hast found the wine? I see ye have.

[_SOLDIERS shudder--she laughs._ How now!

What! was it not delicious to the taste?

The flavour surely should have charmed your palate; Quick to detect its excellence and merit.

Know ye what 'tis? 'Tis blood! blood of my son, Whose sire your treacherous master slew: for blood Ye thirsted once, and blood ye now have drunk.

SOL. She's mad! She does not know what she says.

WID. I tell ye truth. If I be mad, 'tis ye Have made me so.

SOL. 'Tis false! we do not even know you.

WID. No matter if ye don't.

I know you well--too well! Ye're Richemont's slaves.

Yon was my son: time was when I had four; Where are they now? With him your master murdered!

Do maniacs know what wakes their frenzy?

Why then is madness cursed, accursed doubly.

Saw ye his wounds? gaped they not wide? didst mark?

I would have washed them in the stream hard by, Had it not crimson flowed, and the foul taint Of many a blackened corpse corrupted it.

What could I do? I washed them in the wine I had reserved to cheer his bridal day.

I never, never thought ye would have pledged him On his cold bier. Now from my sight be gone, Lest haply I should wither you with curses Before the time. [_Exeunt SOLDIERS._ I am alone--'tis well!

But, oh! this burning brow, the weight that's here!

I'll to the dead--would I were dead also!

But said they not that Richemont too was near?

I'll hang upon his steps, and breathe my vengeance On his head before I die.

SCENE III.--_Baugenci._