Joan of Arc Part 8

[_Exit._

[A] Sum Talboti, sur vincere inimicos meos.

SCENE VI.--_Field of Battle._--_Thunder and Lightning._

WARWICK.

WAR. Are earth and heaven again in fury met, As late on Orleans' fields? The elements Pour forth their wrath in such tremendous peals, Such bolts of fiery death illume the sky, That earthly weapons seem the lesser ill.

Our soldiers falter.--Ho! look to John Talbot!

Ardour like his will lead him into peril.

[_Exit._

_Enter SOLDIERS, followed by JOHN TALBOT._

JOHN T. Hold! cowards! when did England's sons e'er turn Their backs to Frenchmen--seeking mean safety?

Have ye then quite forgot proud Cressy's field, Poictiers or Agincourt?

SOLDIERS. We will not fight with _her_.

JOHN T. Then back to England, quick, disgrace to men; Tell there your sons ye fled a woman's arm, And ask your wives to welcome back their slaves.

Give them your swords, and take instead their distaffs, And let the colour which has fled your cheeks Rest in hot blushes on the veteran brows Of your more valiant fathers.

Away! ye are not worthy of your name; But in your flight, if ye should meet John Talbot, As like ye may, tell him, "We left your son To wipe out our disgrace in his heart's blood!"

SOL. Lead us back!--A Talbot!

JOHN T. Come on! and when they speak of this in England, Bold ones and brave shall wish they had been with us.

_Another part of the Field._

DU NOIS. JOAN.

DU N. New vigour suddenly hath armed the foe, While our brave troops, fatigued with their own valour, Now sorely pressed, pause in their course, and deal Uncertain blows. The fate of this day's battle Hangs on a point.

JOAN. Is not His promise ours Who leads the hosts of heaven? Who doubts then victory?

Onward, ye brave! yon lightnings be your guide!

The hand that wields them is the patriot's s.h.i.+eld!

_Another part of the Field._

SUFFOLK _and_ WARWICK.

SUF. Our troops at length give way: four times th' attack Has been renewed; bravely as oft repelled.

If Talbot tarry long the day is lost.

WAR. Our bravest veterans are seized with dread, Thinking they fight against a power unearthly.

_Enter SOLDIERS in flight._

WAR. Back to your ranks, base cowards!

SOL. We fight in vain!--John Talbot--

WAR. What of him?

SOL. Is either dead, or taken prisoner.

WAR. I'll rescue him, or peris.h.!.+--dead or living His father shall again behold him.

SCENE VII.

JOAN. DU NOIS. FRENCH OFFICERS.

DU N. The field is ours! the victory complete!

The foe on all sides flies! Talbot is ta'en!

XAINT. The glory be our champion's--

JOAN. Forbear!

Give not the instrument the Giver's meed; But rather let us imitate his mercy.

Quick! let the carnage cease! and ev'ry tenderness Show friend and foe. Now let our clarions Proclaim the joyful news of our success!

Fling wide the sound, ye gales of heav'n! hills, vales Re-echo it, and tell th' awakened land Her freedom is begun!--her chains are broken!

END OF THE SECOND ACT.

ACT III.

SCENE I.--_Field of Battle._--_Moonlight._

ARLINGTON. OFFICER.

OFF. Here let us rest till morning. Like ourselves, The foe are glad to seek that needful rest Which victory and defeat alike demand.

ARL. No, let us on. We yet may find it hard To reach our friends, and Richemont hovers near us.

OFF. Whate'er the peril, here I swear to rest me.

See! the bright moon looks down upon the field, As if in scorn to view such waste of life.

ARL. It is a ghastly sight. Not drops of heaven Bedew the earth, but blood of men; and blood Has dyed the stream so deep, that thirsty lip Of death rejects the draught it craved so wistfully.

OFF. Wide is the difference 'twixt the gallant scene Ere fight begins, and that which marks its close: Bright s.h.i.+elds and dancing plumes, and brighter eyes, And animating speech abrupt, and tramp Of martial steed, and neigh, impatient sent, And spirit-stirring trumpet, and the drum; The banner waving wide, and heavy sound Of mighty engines breathing fire, showed life This morn in brightest mood and proudest pomp; Now Death sits centinel in horrid silence.