Part 432 (1/2)

JOHANNA.

I am so, Now I again behold you, once again Your voices hear, whose fond, familiar tones Bring to my mind my dear paternal fields.

When on my native hills I drove my herd, Then I was happy as in paradise-- I ne'er can be so more, no, never more!

[She hides her face on LOUISON'S bosom. CLAUDE MARIE, ETIENNE, and BERTRAND appear, and remain timidly standing in the distance.

MARGOT.

Come, Bertrand! Claude Marie! come, Etienne!

Our sister is not proud: she is so gentle, And speaks so kindly,--more so than of yore, When in our village she abode with us.

[They draw near, and hold out their hands; JOHANNA gazes on them fixedly, and appears amazed.

JOHANNA.

Where am I? Tell me! Was it all a dream, A long, long dream? And am I now awake?

Am I away from Dom Remi? Is't so?

I fell asleep beneath the Druid tree, And I am now awake; and round me stand The kind, familiar forms? I only dreamed Of all these battles, kings, and deeds of war,-- They were but shadows which before me pa.s.sed; For dreams are always vivid 'neath that tree.

How did you come to Rheims? How came I here?

No, I have never quitted Dom Remi!

Confess it to me, and rejoice my heart.

LOUISON.

We are at Rheims. Thou hast not merely dreamed Of these great deeds--thou hast achieved them all.

Come to thyself, Johanna! Look around-- Thy splendid armor feel, of burnished gold!

[JOHANNA lays her hand upon her breast, recollects herself, and shrinks back.

BERTRAND.

Out of my hand thou didst receive this helm.

CLAUDE MARIE.

No wonder thou shouldst think it all a dream; For nothing in a dream could come to pa.s.s More wonderful than what thou hast achieved.

JOHANNA (quickly).

Come, let us fly! I will return with you Back to our village, to our father's bosom.

LOUISON.

Oh, come! Return with us!

JOHANNA.

The people here Exalt me far above what I deserve.

You have beheld me weak and like a child; You love me, but you do not wors.h.i.+p me.

MARGOT.

Thou wilt abandon this magnificence.

JOHANNA.