The Life of Friedrich Schiller Part 14

JOANNA. It tells me loudly, in my inmost bosom, That Misfortune is at hand.

KNIGHT. Joanna d'Arc!

Up to the gates of Rheims hast thou advanced, Led on by victory. Let the renown Already gain'd suffice thee! As a slave Has Fortune serv'd thee: emanc.i.p.ate her, Ere in wrath she free herself; fidelity She hates; no one obeys she to the end.

JOANNA. How say'st thou, in the middle of my course, That I should pause and leave my work unfinish'd?

I will conclude it, and fulfil my vow.

KNIGHT. Nothing can withstand thee; thou art most strong; In ev'ry battle thou prevailest. But go Into no other battle. Hear my warning!

JOANNA. This sword I quit not, till the English yield.

KNIGHT. Look! Yonder rise the towers of Rheims, the goal And purpose of thy march; thou seest the dome Of the cathedral glittering in the sun: There wouldst thou enter in triumphal pomp, To crown thy sov'reign and fulfil thy vow.

Enter not there. Turn homewards. Hear my warning!

JOANNA. Who art thou, false, double-tongued betrayer, That wouldst frighten and perplex me? Dar'st thou Utter lying oracles to me?

[_The Black Knight attempts to go; she steps in his way._

No!

Thou shalt answer me, or perish by me!

[_She lifts her arm to strike him._

KNIGHT [_touches her with his hand: she stands immovable_].

Kill what is mortal!

[_Darkness, lightning and thunder. The Knight sinks._

JOANNA [_stands at first amazed: but soon recovers herself_].

It was nothing earthly.

Some delusive form of h.e.l.l, some spirit Of Falsehood, sent from th' everlasting Pool To tempt and terrify my fervent soul!

Bearing the sword of G.o.d, what do I fear?

Victorious will I end my fated course; Though h.e.l.l itself with all its fiends a.s.sail me, My heart and faith shall never faint or fail me. [_She is going._

SCENE X.

LIONEL, JOANNA.

LIONEL. Accursed Sorceress, prepare for battle: Not both of us shall leave the place alive.

Thou hast destroyed the chosen of my host; Brave Talbot has breath'd out his mighty spirit In my bosom. I will avenge the Dead, Or share his fate. And wouldst thou know the man Who brings thee glory, let him die or conquer, I am Lionel, the last survivor Of our chiefs; and still unvanquish'd is this arm.

[_He rushes towards her; after a short contest, she strikes the sword from his hand._

Faithless fortune! [_He struggles with her._

JOANNA [_seizes him by the plume from behind, and tears his helmet violently down, so that his face is exposed: at the same time she lifts her sword with the right hand_].

Suffer what thou soughtest!

The Virgin sacrifices thee through me!

[_At this moment she looks in his face; his aspect touches her; she stands immovable, and then slowly drops her arm._

LIONEL. Why lingerest thou, and stayest the stroke of death?

My honour thou hast taken, take my life: 'Tis in thy hands to take it; I want not mercy.

[_She gives him a sign with her hand to depart._ Fly from _thee_? Owe _thee_ my life? Die rather!

JOANNA [_her face turned away_].

I will not remember that thou owedst Thy life to me.

LIONEL. I hate thee and thy gift.

I want not mercy. Kill thy enemy, Who meant to kill thee, who abhors thee!

JOANNA. Kill me, and fly!

LIONEL. Ha! How is this?

JOANNA [_hides her face_]. Woe's me!

LIONEL [_approaches her_].

Thou killest every Briton, I have heard, Whom thou subdu'st in battle: why spare me?

JOANNA [_lifts her sword with a rapid movement against him, but quickly lets it sink again, when she observes his face_].

O Holy Virgin!

LIONEL. Wherefore namest thou The Virgin? _She_ knows nothing of thee; Heaven Has nought to say to thee.

JOANNA [_in violent anguish_]. What have I done!

My vow, my vow is broke! [_Wrings her hands in despair._

LIONEL [_looks at her with sympathy, and comes nearer_].

Unhappy girl!

I pity thee; thou touchest me; thou showedst Mercy to me alone. My hate is going: I am constrain'd to feel for thee. Who art thou?

Whence comest thou?

JOANNA. Away! Begone!

LIONEL. Thy youth, Thy beauty melt and sadden me; thy look Goes to my heart: I could wish much to save thee; Tell me how I may! Come, come with me! Forsake This horrid business; cast away those arms!

JOANNA. I no more deserve to bear them!

LIONEL. Cast them Away, then, and come with me!

JOANNA [_with horror_]. Come with thee!

LIONEL. Thou mayst be sav'd: come with me! I will save thee.

But delay not. A strange sorrow for thee Seizes me, and an unspeakable desire To save thee. [_Seizes her arm._

JOANNA. Ha! Dunois! 'Tis they!