The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 10

Enough; I credit thee! This doth surpa.s.s Mere human knowledge: thou art sent by G.o.d!

ARCHBISHOP.

Who art thou, wonderful and holy maid?

What favored region bore thee? What blest pair, Beloved of Heaven, may claim thee as their child?

JOHANNA.

Most reverend father, I am named Johanna, I am a shepherd's lowly daughter, born In Dom Remi, a village of my king.

Included in the diocese of Toul, And from a child I kept my father's sheep.

And much and frequently I heard them tell Of the strange islanders, who o'er the sea Had come to make us slaves, and on us force A foreign lord, who loveth not the people; How the great city, Paris, they had seized, And had usurped dominion o'er the realm.

Then earnestly G.o.d's Mother I implored To save us from the shame of foreign chains, And to preserve to us our lawful king.

Not distant from my native village stands An ancient image of the Virgin blest, To which the pious pilgrims oft repaired; Hard by a holy oak, of blessed power, Standeth, far-famed through wonders manifold.

Beneath the oak's broad shade I loved to sit Tending my flock--my heart still drew me there.

And if by chance among the desert hills A lambkin strayed, 'twas shown me in a dream, When in the shadow of this oak I slept.

And once, when through the night beneath this tree In pious adoration I had sat, Resisting sleep, the Holy One appeared, Bearing a sword and banner, otherwise Clad like a shepherdess, and thus she spake: "'Tis I; arise, Johanna! leave thy flock, The Lord appoints thee to another task!

Receive this banner! Gird thee with this sword!

Therewith exterminate my people's foes; Conduct to Rheims thy royal master's son, And crown him with the kingly diadem!"

And I made answer: "How may I presume To undertake such deeds, a tender maid, Unpractised in the dreadful art of war!"

And she replied: "A maiden pure and chaste Achieves whate'er on earth is glorious If she to earthly love ne'er yields her heart.

Look upon me! a virgin, like thyself; I to the Christ, the Lord divine, gave birth, And am myself divine!" Mine eyelids then She touched, and when I upward turned my amaze, Heaven's wide expanse was filled with angel-boys, Who bore white lilies in their hands, while tones Of sweetest music floated through the air.

And thus on three successive nights appeared The Holy One, and cried,--"Arise, Johanna!

The Lord appoints thee to another task!"

And when the third night she revealed herself, Wrathful she seemed, and chiding spake these words: "Obedience, woman's duty here on earth; Severe endurance is her heavy doom; She must be purified through discipline; Who serveth here, is glorified above!"

While thus she spake, she let her shepherd garb Fail from her, and as Queen of Heaven stood forth Enshrined in radiant light, while golden clouds Upbore her slowly to the realms of bliss.

[All are moved; AGNES SOREL weeping, hides her face on the bosom of the KING.

ARCHBISHOP (after a long pause).

Before divine credentials such as these Each doubt of earthly prudence must subside, Her deeds attest the truth of what she speaks, For G.o.d alone such wonders can achieve.

DUNOIS.

I credit not her wonders, but her eyes Which beam with innocence and purity.

CHARLES.

Am I, a sinner, worthy of such favor?

Infallible, All-searching eye, thou seest Mine inmost heart, my deep humility!

JOHANNA.

Humility shines brightly in the skies; Thou art abased, hence G.o.d exalteth thee.

CHARLES.

Shall I indeed withstand mine enemies?

JOHANNA.

France I will lay submissive at thy feet!

CHARLES.

And Orleans, say'st thou, will not be surrendered?

JOHANNA.

The Loire shall sooner roll its waters back.

CHARLES.

Shall I in triumph enter into Rheims?

JOHANNA.

I through ten thousand foes will lead you there.

[The knights make a noise with their lances and shields, and evince signs of courage.

DUNOIS.

Appoint the maiden to command the host!

We follow blindly whereso'er she leads!

The Holy One's prophetic eye shall guide, And this brave sword from danger shall protect her!

LA HIRE.

A universe in arms we will not fear, If she, the mighty one, precede our troops.

The G.o.d of battle walketh by her side; Let her conduct us on to victory!

[The knights clang their arms and step forward.

CHARLES.

Yes, holy maiden, do thou lead mine host; My chiefs and warriors shall submit to thee.

This sword of matchless temper, proved in war, Sent back in anger by the Constable, Hath found a hand more worthy. Prophetess, Do thou receive it, and henceforward be----

JOHANNA.

No, n.o.ble Dauphin! conquest to my liege Is not accorded through this instrument Of earthly might. I know another sword Wherewith I am to conquer, which to thee, I, as the Spirit taught, will indicate; Let it be hither brought.

CHARLES.

Name it, Johanna.

JOHANNA.

Send to the ancient town of Fierbois; There in Saint Catherine's churchyard is a vault Where lie in heaps the spoils of bygone war.

Among them is the sword which I must use.

It by three golden lilies may be known, Upon the blade impressed. Let it be brought For thou, my liege, shalt conquer through this sword.

CHARLES.

Perform what she commands.

JOHANNA.

And a white banner, Edged with a purple border, let me bear.

Upon this banner let the Queen of Heaven Be pictured with the beauteous Jesus child Floating in glory o'er this earthly ball.

For so the Holy Mother showed it me.

CHARLES.

So be it as thou sayest.

JOHANNA (to the ARCHBISHOP).

Reverend bishop; Lay on my head thy consecrated hands!

p.r.o.nounce a blessing, Father, on thy child!