But could I ever dream a human heart Would meet in silence such a fearful doom!
JOHANNA.
Should I deserve to be heaven"s messenger Unless the Master"s will I blindly honored?
And I am not so wretched as thou thinkest.
I feel privation--this in humble life Is no misfortune; I"m a fugitive,-- But in the waste I learned to know myself.
When honor"s dazzling radiance round me shone, There was a painful struggle in my breast; I was most wretched, when to all I seemed Most worthy to be envied. Now my mind Is healed once more, and this fierce storm in nature, Which threatened your destruction, was my friend; It purified alike the world and me!
I feel an inward peace--and come, what may, Of no more weakness am I conscious now!
RAIMOND.
Oh, let us hasten! come, let us proclaim Thine innocence aloud to all the world!
JOHANNA.
He who sent this delusion will dispel it!
The fruit of fate falls only when "tis ripe!
A day is coming that will clear my name, When those who now condemn and banish me, Will see their error and will weep my doom.
RAIMOND.
And shall I wait in silence, until chance----
JOHANNA (gently taking her hand).
Thy sense is shrouded by an earthly veil, And dwelleth only on external things, Mine eye hath gazed on the invisible!
--Without permission from our G.o.d no hair Falls from the head of man. Seest thou the sun Declining to the west? So certainly As morn returneth in her radiant light, Infallibly the day of truth shall come!
SCENE V.
QUEEN ISABEL, with soldiers, appears in the background.
ISABEL (behind the scene).
This is the way toward the English camp!
RAIMOND.
Alas! the foe!
[The soldiers advance, and perceiving JOBANNA fall back in terror.
ISABEL.
What now obstructs the march?
SOLDIERS.
May G.o.d protect us!
ISABEL.
Do ye see a spirit?
How! Are ye soldiers! Ye are cowards all!
[She presses forward, but starts back on beholding the MAIDEN.
What do I see!
[She collects herself quickly and approaches her.
Submit thyself! Thou art My prisoner!
JOHANNA.
I am.
[RAIMOND flies in despair.
ISABEL (to the soldiers).
Lay her in chains!
[The soldiers timidly approach the MAIDEN; she extends her arms and is chained.
Is this the mighty, the terrific one, Who chased your warriors like a flock of lambs, Who, powerless now, cannot protect herself?
Doth she work miracles with credulous fools, And lose her influence when she meets a man?
[To the MAIDEN.
Why didst thou leave the army? Where"s Dunois, Thy knight and thy protector.
JOHANNA.
I am banished.
[ISABEL, stepping back astonished.
ISABEL.
What say"st thou? Thou art banished? By the Dauphin?
JOHANNA.
Inquire no further! I am in thy power, Decide my fate.
ISABEL.
Banished, because thou hast s.n.a.t.c.hed him from ruin, placed upon his brow The crown at Rheims, and made him King of France?
Banished! Therein I recognize my son!
--Conduct her to the camp, and let the host Behold the phantom before whom they trembled!
She a magician? Her sole magic lies In your delusion and your cowardice!
She is a fool who sacrificed herself To save her king, and reapeth for her pains A king"s reward. Bear her to Lionel.
The fortune of the French! send him bound; I"ll follow anon.
JOHANNA.
To Lionel?
Slay me at once, ere send me unto him.
ISABEL (to the soldiers).
Obey your orders, soldiers! Bear her hence.
[Exit.
SCENE VI.