The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 434

DUCHATEL (returning).

Johanna d'Arc! uninjured from the town The king permits you to depart. The gates Stand open to you. Fear no injury,-- You are protected by the royal word.

Come follow me, Dunois! You cannot here Longer abide with honor. What an issue!

[He retires. DUNOIS recovers from his stupor, casts one look upon JOHANNA, and retires. She remains standing for a moment quite alone. At length RAIMOND appears; he regards her for a time with silent sorrow, and then approaching takes her hand.

RAIMOND.

Embrace this opportunity. The streets Are empty now. Your hand! I will conduct you.

[On perceiving him, she gives the first sign of consciousness.

She gazes on him fixedly, and looks up to heaven; then taking his hand she retires.

ACT V.

A wild wood: charcoal-burners' huts in the distance.

It is quite dark; violent thunder and lightning; firing heard at intervals.

SCENE I.

CHARCOAL-BURNER and his WIFE.

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

This is a fearful storm, the heavens seem As if they would vent themselves in streams of fire; So thick the darkness which usurps the day, That one might see the stars. The angry winds Bl.u.s.ter and howl like spirits loosed from h.e.l.l.

The firm earth trembles, and the aged elms Groaning, bow down their venerable tops.

Yet this terrific tumult, o'er our heads, Which teacheth gentleness to savage beasts, So that they seek the shelter of their caves, Appeaseth not the b.l.o.o.d.y strife of men-- Amidst the raging of the wind and storm At intervals is heard the cannon's roar; So near the hostile armaments approach, The wood alone doth part them; any hour May see them mingle in the shock of battle.

WIFE.

May G.o.d protect us then! Our enemies, Not long ago, were vanquished and dispersed.

How comes it that they trouble us again?

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

Because they now no longer fear the king, Since that the maid turned out to be a witch At Rheims, the devil aideth us no longer, And things have gone against us.

WIFE.

Who comes here?

SCENE II.

RAIMOND and JOHANNA enter.

RAIMOND.

See! here are cottages; in them at least We may find shelter from the raging storm.

You are not able longer to endure it.

Three days already you have wandered on, Shunning the eye of man--wild herbs and root Your only nourishment. Come, enter in.

These are kind-hearted cottagers.

[The storm subsides; the air grows bright and clear.

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

You seem To need refreshment and repose--you're welcome To what our humble roof can offer you!

WIFE.

What has a tender maid to do with arms?

Yet truly! these are rude and troublous times When even women don the coat of mail!

The queen herself, proud Isabel, 'tis said, Appears in armor in the hostile camp; And a young maid, a shepherd's lowly daughter, Has led the armies of our lord the king.

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

What sayest thou? Enter the hut, and bring A goblet of refreshment for the damsel.

[She enters the hut.

RAIMOND (to JOHANNA).

All men, you see, are not so cruel; here E'en in the wilderness are gentle hearts.

Cheer up! the pelting storm hath spent its rage, And, beaming peacefully, the sun declines.

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

I fancy, as you travel thus in arms, You seek the army of the king. Take heed!

Not far remote the English are encamped, Their troops are roaming idly through the wood.

RAIMOND.

Alas for us! how then can we escape?

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

Stay here till from the town my boy returns.

He shall conduct you safe by secret paths.

You need not fear-we know each hidden way.

RAIMOND (to JOHANNA).

Put off your helmet and your coat-of-mail, They will not now protect you, but betray.

[JOHANNA shakes her head.

CHARCOAL-BURNER.

The maid seems very sad--hush! who comes here?

SCENE III.

CHARCOAL-BURNER'S WIFE comes out of the hut with a bowl. A Boy.

WIFE.

It is our boy whom we expected back.