The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy Part 22

JOHANNA.

Happiness Abideth yonder, with our G.o.d, in heaven.

CHARLES.

Thy fortune be henceforth thy monarch's care!

For I will glorify thy name in France, And the remotest age shall call thee blest.

Thus I fulfil my word. Kneel down!

[He draws his sword and touches her with it.

And rise!

A n.o.ble! I, thy monarch, from the dust Of thy mean birth exalt thee. In the grave Thy fathers I enn.o.ble--thou shalt bear Upon thy shield the fleur-de-lis, and be Of equal lineage with the best in France.

Only the royal blood of Valois shall Be n.o.bler than thine own! The highest peer Shall feel himself exalted by thy hand; To wed thee n.o.bly, maid, shall be my care!

DUNOIS (advancing).

My heart made choice of her when she was lowly.

The recent honor which encircles her, Neither exalts her merit nor my love.

Here in my sovereign's presence, and before This holy bishop, maid, I tender thee My hand, and take thee as my princely wife, If thou esteem me worthy to be thine.

CHARLES.

Resistless maiden! wonder thou dost add To wonder! Yes, I now believe that naught's Impossible to thee! Thou hast subdued This haughty heart, which still hath scoffed till now At love's omnipotence.

LA HIRE (advancing).

If I have read Aright Johanna's soul, her modest heart's Her fairest jewel. She deserveth well The homage of the great, but her desires Soar not so high. She striveth not to reach A giddy eminence; an honest heart's True love content's her, and the quiet lot Which with this hand I humbly proffer her.

CHARLES.

Thou, too, La Hire! two brave compet.i.tors,-- Peers in heroic virtue and renown!

--Wilt thou, who hast appeased mine enemies, My realms united, part my dearest friends?

One only can possess her; I esteem Each to be justly worthy such a prize.

Speak, maid! thy heart alone must here decide.

SOREL.

The n.o.ble maiden is surprised, her cheek Is crimsoned over with a modest blush.

Let her have leisure to consult her heart, And in confiding friendship to unseal Her long-closed bosom. Now the hour is come When, with a sister's love, I also may Approach the maid severe, and offer her This silent, faithful breast. Permit us women Alone to weigh this womanly affair; Do you await the issue.

CHARLES (about to retire).

Be it so!

JOHANNA.

No, sire, not so! the crimson on my cheek Is not the blush of bashful modesty.

Naught have I for this n.o.ble lady's ear Which in this presence I may not proclaim.

The choice of these brave knights much honors me, But I did not forsake my shepherd-walks, To chase vain worldly splendor, nor array My tender frame in panoply of war, To twine the bridal garland in my hair.

Far other labor is a.s.signed to me, Which a pure maiden can alone achieve.

I am the soldier of the Lord of Hosts, And to no mortal man can I be wife.

ARCHBISHOP.

To be a fond companion unto man Is woman born--when nature she obeys, Most wisely she fulfils high heaven's decree!

When His behest who called thee to the field Shall be accomplished, thou'lt resign thy arms, And once again rejoin the softer s.e.x, Whose gentle nature thou dost now forego, And which from war's stern duties is exempt.

JOHANNA.

Most reverend sir! as yet I cannot say What work the Spirit will enjoin on me.

But when the time comes round, his guiding voice Will not be mute, and it I will obey.

Now he commands me to complete my task; My royal master's brow is still uncrowned, 'Twere better for me I had ne'er been born!

Henceforth no more of this, unless ye would Provoke the Spirit's wrath who in me dwells!

The eye of man, regarding me with love, To me is horror and profanity.

CHARLES.

Forbear! It is in vain to urge her further.

JOHANNA.

Command the trumpets of the war to sound!

This stillness doth perplex and hara.s.s me; An inward impulse drives me from repose, It still impels me to achieve my work, And sternly beckons me to meet my doom.

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 G.o.d!

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.