The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 21

ARCHBISHOP.

She loves not, sire, the idleness of the court, And when the heavenly mandate calls her not Forth to the world's observance, she retires, And doth avoid the notice of the crowd.

Doubtless, unless the welfare of the realm Claims her regard, she communes with her G.o.d, For still a blessing on her steps attends.

SCENE IV.

The same.

JOHANNA enters. She is clad in armor, and wears a garland in her hair.

CHARLES.

Thou comest as a priestess decked, Johanna, To consecrate the union formed by thee!

BURGUNDY.

How dreadful was the maiden in the fight!

How lovely circled by the beams of peace!

My word, Johanna, have I now fulfilled?

Art thou contented? Have I thine applause?

JOHANNA.

The greatest favor thou hast shown thyself.

Arrayed in blessed light thou shinest now, Who didst erewhile with b.l.o.o.d.y, ominous ray, Hang like a moon of terror in the heavens.

[Looking round.

Many brave knights I find a.s.sembled here, And joy's glad radiance beams in every eye; One mourner, one alone I have encountered; He must conceal himself, where all rejoice.

BURGUNDY.

And who is conscious of such heavy guilt, That of our favor he must needs despair?

JOHANNA.

May he approach? Oh, tell me that he may; Complete thy merit. Void the reconcilement That frees not the whole heart. A drop of hate Remaining in the cup of joy converts The blessed draught to poison. Let there be No deed so stained with blood that Burgundy Cannot forgive it on this day of joy.

BURGUNDY.

Ha! now I understand!

JOHANNA.

And thou'lt forgive?

Thou wilt indeed forgive? Come in, Duchatel!

[She opens the door and leads in DUCHATEL, who remains standing at a distance.

The duke is reconciled to all his foes, And he is so to thee.

[DUCHATEL approaches a few steps nearer, and tries to read the countenance of the DUKE.

BURGUNDY.

What makest thou Of me, Johanna? Know'st thou what thou askest?

JOHANNA.

A gracious sovereign throws his portals wide, Admitting every guest, excluding none; As freely as the firmament the world, So mercy must encircle friend and foe.

Impartially the sun pours forth his beams Through all the regions of infinity; The heaven's reviving dew falls everywhere, And brings refreshment to each thirsty plant; Whate'er is good, and cometh from on high, Is universal, and without reserve; But in the heart's recesses darkness dwells!

BURGUNDY.

Oh, she can mould me to her wish; my heart Is in her forming hand like melted wax.

--Duchatel, I forgive thee--come, embrace me!

Shade of my sire! oh, not with wrathful eye Behold me clasp the hand that shed thy blood.

Ye death-G.o.ds, reckon not to my account, That my dread oath of vengeance I abjure.

With you, in yon drear realm of endless night, There beats no human heart, and all remains Eternal, steadfast, and immovable.

Here in the light of day 'tis otherwise.

Man, living, feeling man, is aye the sport Of the o'ermastering present.

CHARLES (to JOHANNA).

Lofty maid!

What owe I not to thee! How truly now Hast thou fulfilled thy word,--how rapidly Reversed my destiny! Thou hast appeased My friends, and in the dust o'erwhelmed my foes; From foreign yoke redeemed my cities. Thou Hast all achieved. Speak, how can I reward thee?

JOHANNA.

Sire, in prosperity be still humane, As in misfortune thou hast ever been; And on the height of greatness ne'er forget The value of a friend in times of need; Thou hast approved it in adversity.

Refuse not to the lowest of thy people The claims of justice and humanity, For thy deliverer from the fold was called.

Beneath thy royal sceptre thou shalt gather The realm entire of France. Thou shalt become The root and ancestor of mighty kings; Succeeding monarchs, in their regal state, Shall those outshine, who filled the throne before.

Thy stock, in majesty shall bloom so long As it stands rooted in the people's love.

Pride only can achieve its overthrow, And from the lowly station, whence to-day G.o.d summoned thy deliverer, ruin dire Obscurely threats thy crime-polluted sons!

BURGUNDY.

Exalted maid! Possessed with sacred fire!

If thou canst look into the gulf of time, Speak also of my race! Shall coming years With ampler honors crown my princely line!

JOHANNA.

High as the throne, thou, Burgundy, hast built Thy seat of power, and thy aspiring heart Would raise still higher, even to the clouds, The lofty edifice. But from on high A hand omnipotent shall check its rise.

Fear thou not hence the downfall of thy house!

Its glory in a maiden shall survive; Upon her breast shall sceptre-bearing kings, The people's shepherds, bloom. Their ample sway Shall o'er two realms extend, they shall ordain Laws to control the known world, and the new, Which G.o.d still veils behind the pathless waves.

CHARLES.

Oh, if the Spirit doth reveal it, speak; Shall this alliance which we now renew In distant ages still unite our sons?

JOHANNA (after a pause).

Sovereigns and kings! disunion shun with dread!

Wake not contention from the murky cave Where he doth lie asleep, for once aroused He cannot soon be quelled? He doth beget An iron brood, a ruthless progeny; Wildly the sweeping conflagration spreads.

--Be satisfied! Seek not to question further In the glad present let your hearts rejoice, The future let me shroud!

SOREL.

Exalted maid!

Thou canst explore my heart, thou readest there If after worldly greatness it aspires, To me to give a joyous oracle.

JOHANNA.

Of empires only I discern the doom; In thine own bosom lies thy destiny!

DUNOIS.

What, holy maid, will be thy destiny?

Doubtless, for thee, who art beloved of heaven, The fairest earthly happiness shall bloom, For thou art pure and holy.