Joan of Arc Part 23

_Enter XAINTRAILLES and others._

XAINT. Turn, turn Du Nois!

Make for the eastern gate!

DU N. Is she then safe?

XAINT. It is no time for words: we must be gone.

DU N. Is the maid safe? I ask. Du Nois doth ask.

XAINT. Canst thou be ignorant?

DU N. Say on, or deep Within thy breast--speak!

XAINT. Thy grasp doth choke me.

Release thy hold!

DU N. Now answer me, and quickly.

Where is the maid?

XAINT. Look on yon rising cloud: Safe in its breast her spirit mounts to heaven, That mercy to implore which man denied her.

[_DU NOIS sinks on his knee, and continues to watch the cloud._

OFFICER _to_ XAINT. How calm he is become!

DU N. One speck alone-- Now not a trace remains. (_rises._) How died the maid?

Suppress no circ.u.mstance, no word, no look.

XAINT. Thou hast beheld her in the shock of battle, Midst dangers calm, when stoutest bosoms shook.

Hast often seen, how in such fearful times, She would upraise her speaking eyes to heaven, And stand in silence, while her countenance Reflected beams she thence appeared to catch; Such was her bearing then. Her step was firm, Yet modest, as might properly become One, who in presence of her mighty Judge Must quickly stand. Nor had her wonted smile Forsook her lip, but lingered, loath to part, Its former sweetness mixed with heavenly hope.

Nor scowling eye, (for savage looks were there,) Nor piercing gaze, nor pity's tender glance, Nor urgent priest's dire threats to fright or force Confession from her lips, she heeded once: Save when to the accursed pile fast bound, He pointed to the smoking heap around her, And bade her timely think what hotter flames Awaited one who had been leagued with devils.

Then pa.s.sed a sudden flash o'er her pale cheek, And in those tones so often proved resistless, "Blessed," she said, "is he who hath reserved All judgment to himself. May thy injustice Be forgotten when thou most needest mercy."

A hideous shout was raised--my blood with horror--

DU N. Thou couldst not longer look?

XAINT. I shuddering fled.

The sound of crackling blaze, the trumpet's wail, The groan of thousands ringing in my ear, In dread of what to thee--

DU N. And she is gone, In ignorance of all I felt for her, Or could have done! And nought remains of her That I might see how lovely even death Can show himself, when to the lovely joined; Might cheat my soul awhile she did but sleep, And seal a last, first kiss upon her brow!

Earth not a particle now holds of her, O'er which these stranger drops might fall!

XAINT. Du Nois!

Can this be so?

DU N. I do not hide my face Ashamed thou shouldst behold Du Nois can weep; Or show how grief can bend e'en his stern spirit: But when in after days you speak of this, And I perchance have found a b.l.o.o.d.y grave, Say, nought in life he dared, so awful seemed, As sight of agony which wrung his heart, And sank the soldier in the man.

XAINT. a.s.sist me.

Let's bear him hence.

THE END.