The Works of Frederick Schiller Part 433

BURGUNDY.

Ha! What's this?

DUCHATEL.

Now will the fearful truth appear!

THIBAUT (to the KING).

Thou think'st That thou art rescued through the power of G.o.d?

Deluded prince! Deluded mult.i.tude!

Ye have been rescued through the arts of h.e.l.l!

[All step back with horror.

DUNOIS.

Is this man mad?

THIBAUT.

Not I, but thou art mad.

And this wise bishop, and these n.o.ble lords, Who think that through a weak and sinful maid The G.o.d of heaven would reveal himself.

Come, let us see if to her father's face She will maintain the specious, juggling arts Wherewith she hath deluded king and people.

Now, in the name of the blest Trinity, Belongst thou to the pure and holy ones?

[A general silence; all eyes are fixed upon her; she remains motionless.

SOREL.

G.o.d! she is dumb!

THIBAUT.

Before that awful name, Which even in the depths of h.e.l.l is feared, She must be silent! She a holy one, By G.o.d commissioned? On a cursed spot It was conceived; beneath the Druid tree Where evil spirits have from olden time Their Sabbath held. There her immortal soul She bartered with the enemy of man For transient, worldly glory. Let her bare Her arm, and ye will see impressed thereon The fatal marks of h.e.l.l!

BURGUNDY.

Most horrible!

Yet we must needs believe a father's words Who 'gainst his daughter gives his evidence.

DUNOIS.

The madman cannot be believed Who in his child brings shame upon himself.

SOREL (to JOHANNA).

Oh, maiden, speak! this fatal silence break!

We firmly trust thee! we believe in thee!

One syllable from thee, one single word Shall be sufficient. Speak! annihilate This horrid accusation. But declare Thine innocence, and we will all believe thee.

[JOHANNA remains motionless; AGNES steps back with horror.

LA HIRE.

She's frightened. Horror and astonishment Impede her utterance. Before a charge So horrible e'en innocence must tremble.

[He approaches her.

Collect thyself, Johanna! innocence Hath a triumphant look, whose lightning flash Strikes slander to the earth! In n.o.ble wrath Arise! look up, and punish this base doubt, An insult to thy holy innocence.

[JOHANNA remains motionless; LA HIRE steps back; the excitement increases.

DUNOIS.

Why do the people fear, the princes tremble?

I'll stake my honor on her innocence!

Here on the ground I throw my knightly gage; Who now will venture to maintain her guilt?

[A loud clap of thunder; all are horror-struck.

THIBAUT.

Answer, by Him whose thunders roll above!

Give me the lie! Proclaim thine innocence; Say that the enemy hath not thy heart!

[Another clap of thunder, louder than the first; the people fly on all sides.

BURGUNDY.

G.o.d guard and save us! What appalling signs!

DUCHATEL (to the KING).

Come, come, my king! Forsake this fearful place!

ARCHBISHOP (to JOHANNA).

I ask thee in G.o.d's name. Art thou thus silent From consciousness of innocence or guilt?

If in thy favor the dread thunder speaks, Touch with thy hand this cross, and give a sign!

[JOHANNA remains motionless. More violent peals of thunder.

The KING, AGNES SOREL, the ARCHBISHOP, BURGUNDY, LA HIRE, DUCHATEL retire.

SCENE XII.

DUNOIS, JOHANNA.

DUNOIS.

Thou art my wife; I have believed in thee From the first glance, and I am still unchanged.

In thee I have more faith than in these signs, Than in the thunder's voice, which speaks above.

In n.o.ble anger thou art silent thus; Enveloped in thy holy innocence, Thou scornest to refute so base a charge.

Still scorn it, maiden, but confide in me; I never doubted of thine innocence.

Speak not one word; only extend thy hand In pledge and token that thou wilt confide In my protection and thine own good cause.

[He extends his hand to her; she turns from him with a convulsive motion; he remains transfixed with horror.

SCENE XIII.

JOHANNA, DUCHATEL, DUNOIS, afterwards RAIMOND.