Part 429 (1/2)

JOHANNA.

Away! away!

LA HIRE.

Art thou terrified At thine own banner, maiden? Look at it!

[He displays the banner.

It is the same thou didst in conquest wave.

Imaged upon it is the queen of heaven, Floating in glory o'er this earthly ball; For so the Holy Mother showed it thee.

[JOHANNA gazing upon it with horror.

'Tis she herself! so she appeared to me.

See, how she looks at me and knits her brow, And anger flashes from her threatening eye!

SOREL.

Alas, she raveth! Maiden, be composed!

Collect thyself! Thou seest nothing real!

That is her pictured image; she herself Wanders above, amid the angelic choir!

JOHANNA.

Thou comest, fearful one, to punish me?

Destroy, o'erwhelm, thy lightnings hurl, And let them fall upon my guilty head.

Alas, my vow I've broken. I've profaned And desecrated thy most holy name!

DUNOIS.

Woe's us! What may this mean? What unblest words?

LA HIRE (in astonishment, to DUCHATEL).

This strange emotion canst thou comprehend?

DUCHATEL.

That which I see, I see--I long have feared it.

DUNOIS.

What sayest thou?

DUCHATEL.

I dare not speak my thoughts.

I would to heaven that the king were crowned!

LA HIRE.

How! hath the awe this banner doth inspire Turned back upon thyself? before this sign Let Britons tremble; to the foes of France 'Tis fearful, but to all true citizens It is auspicious.

JOHANNA.

Yes, thou sayest truly!