Part 433 (1/2)

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.