It cannot be! How came she in the camp?
3 SOLDIER.
Why, through the air! The devil aided her!
4 AND 5 SOLDIERS.
Fly! fly! We are dead men!
TALBOT (enters).
They heed me not! They stay not at my call!
The sacred bands of discipline are loosed!
As h.e.l.l had poured her d.a.m.ned legions forth, A wild, distracting impulse whirls along, In one mad throng, the cowardly and brave.
I cannot rally e"en the smallest troop To form a bulwark gainst the hostile flood, Whose raging billows press into our camp!
Do I alone retain my sober senses, While all around in wild delirium rave?
To fly before these weak, degenerate Frenchmen Whom we in twenty battles have overthrown?
Who is she then--the irresistible-- The dread-inspiring G.o.ddess, who doth turn At once the tide of battle, and transform The lions bold a herd of timid deer?
A juggling minx, who plays the well-learned part Of heroine, thus to appal the brave?
A woman s.n.a.t.c.h from me all martial fame?
SOLDIER (rushing in).
The maiden comes! Fly, general, fly! fly!
TALBOT (strikes him down).
Fly thou, thyself, to h.e.l.l! This sword shall pierce Who talks to me of fear, or coward flight!
[He goes out.
SCENE VI.
The prospect opens. The English camp is seen in flames.
Drums, flight, and pursuit. After a while MONTGOMERY enters.
MONTGOMERY (alone).
Where shall I flee? Foes all around and death! Lo! here The furious general, who with threatening sword, prevents Escape, and drives us back into the jaws of death.
The dreadful maiden there--the terrible--who like Devouring flame, destruction spreads; while all around Appears no bush wherein to hide--no sheltering cave!
Oh, would that o"er the sea I never had come here!
Me miserable--empty dreams deluded me-- Cheap glory to achieve on Gallia"s martial fields.
And I am guided by malignant destiny Into this murderous flight. Oh, were I far, far hence.
Still in my peaceful home, on Severn"s flowery banks, Where in my father"s house, in sorrow and in tears, I left my mother and my fair young bride.
[JOHANNA appears in the distance.
Wo"s me! What do I see! The dreadful form appears!
Arrayed in lurid light, she from the raging fire Issues, as from the jaws of h.e.l.l, a midnight ghost.
Where shall I go? where flee? Already from afar She seizes on me with her eye of fire, and flings Her fatal and unerring coil, whose magic folds With ever-tightening pressure, bind my feet and make Escape impossible! Howe"er my heart rebels, I am compelled to follow with my gaze that form Of dread!
[JOHANNA advances towards him some steps; and again remains standing.
She comes! I will not pa.s.sively await Her furious onset! Imploringly I"ll clasp Her knees! I"ll sue to her for life. She is a woman.
I may perchance to pity move her by my tears!
[While he is on the point of approaching her she draws near.
SCENE VII.
JOHANNA, MONTGOMERY.
JOHANNA.
Prepare to die! A British mother bore thee!
MONTGOMERY (falls at her feet).
Fall back, terrific one! Forbear to strike An unprotected foe! My sword and shield I"ve flung aside, and supplicating fall Defenceless at thy feet. A ransom take!
Extinguish not the precious light of life!
With fair possessions crowned, my father dwells In Wales" fair land, where among verdant meads The winding Severn rolls his silver tide, And fifty villages confess his sway.
With heavy gold he will redeem his son, When he shall hear I"m in the camp of France.
JHANNA.
Deluded mortal! to destruction doomed!
Thou"rt fallen in the maiden"s hand, from which Redemption or deliverance there is none.
Had adverse fortune given thee a prey To the fierce tiger or the crocodile-- Hadst robbed the lion mother of her brood-- Compa.s.sion thou might"st hope to find and pity; But to encounter me is certain death.
For my dread compact with the spirit realm-- The stern inviolable--bindeth me, To slay each living thing whom battle"s G.o.d, Full charged with doom, delivers to my sword.
MONTGOMERY.
Thy speech is fearful, but thy look is mild; Not dreadful art thou to contemplate near; My heart is drawn towards thy lovely form.
Oh! by the mildness of thy gentle s.e.x, Attend my prayer. Compa.s.sionate my youth.
JOHANNA.
Name me not woman! Speak not of my s.e.x!
Like to the bodiless spirits, who know naught Of earth"s humanities, I own no s.e.x; Beneath this vest of steel there beats no heart.
MONTGOMERY.
Oh! by love"s sacred, all-pervading power, To whom all hearts yield homage, I conjure thee.
At home I left behind a gentle bride, Beauteous as thou, and rich in blooming grace: Weeping she waiteth her betrothed"s return.
Oh! if thyself dost ever hope to love, If in thy love thou hopest to be happy, Then ruthless sever not two gentle hearts, Together linked in love"s most holy bond!
JOHANNA.
Thou dost appeal to earthly, unknown G.o.ds, To whom I yield no homage. Of love"s bond, By which thou dost conjure me, I know naught Nor ever will I know his empty service.
Defend thy life, for death doth summon thee.
MONTGOMERY.
Take pity on my sorrowing parents, whom I left at home. Doubtless thou, too, hast left Parents, who feel disquietude for thee.
JOHANNA.
Unhappy man! thou dost remember me How many mothers of this land your arms Have rendered childless and disconsolate; How many gentle children fatherless; How many fair young brides dejected widows!
Let England"s mothers now be taught despair, And learn to weep the bitter tear oft shed By the bereaved and sorrowing wives of France.