The same, without JOHANNA.
ISABEL (after a long pause).
How was it? Did I dream? Where is she gone?
How did she break these ponderous iron chains?
A world could not have made me credit it,
If I had not beheld it with these eyes.
SOLDIER (from the tower).
How? Hath she wings? Hath the wind borne her down?
ISABEL.
Is she below?
SOLDIER.
She strides amidst the fight:
Her course outspeeds my sight-now she is here-
Now there-I see her everywhere at once!
-She separates the troops-all yield to her:
The scattered French collect-they form anew!
-Alas! what do I see! Our people cast
Their weapons to the ground, our banners sink--
ISABEL.
What? Will she snatch from us the victory?
SOLDIER.
She presses forward, right towards the king.
She reaches him-she bears him from the fight-
Lord Fastolfe falls-the general is taken!
ISABEL.
I'll hear no more! Come down!
SOLDIER.
Fly, queen! you will be taken by surprise.
Armed soldiers are advancing tow'rds the tower.
[He comes down.
ISABEL (drawing her sword).
Then fight, ye cowards!
SCENE IV.
LA HIRE with soldiers. At his entrance the people
of the QUEEN lay down their arms.
LA HIRE (approaching her respectfully).
Queen, submit yourself-
Your knights have yielded-to resist is vain!
-Accept my proffered services. Command
Where you would be conducted.
ISABEL.
Every place
The same, where I encounter not the Dauphin.
[She resigns her sword, and follows him with the soldiers.
The Scene changes to the battle-field.
SCENE XIV.
Soldiers with flying banners occupy the background. Before them the
KING and the DUKE OF BURGUNDY appear, bearing JOHANNA in their arms;
she is mortally wounded, and apparently lifeless. They advance
slowly to the front of the stage. AGNES SOREL rushes in.
SOREL (throwing herself on the bosom of the KING).
You're free-you live-I have you back again!
KING.
Yes, I am free-I am so at this price!
[Pointing to JOHANNA.
SOREL.
Johanna! God! she's dying!
BURGUNDY.
She is gone
An angel passeth hence! See, how she lies,
Easy and tranquil, like a sleeping child!
The peace of heaven around her features plays,
The breath of life no longer heaves her breast,
But vital warmth still lingers in her hand.
KING.
She's gone! She never will awaken more,
Her eye will gaze no more on earthly things.
She soars on high, a spirit glorified,
She seeth not our grief, our penitence.
