Part 436 (1/2)

But could I ever dream a human heart Would meet in silence such a fearful doom!

JOHANNA.

Should I deserve to be heaven's messenger Unless the Master's will I blindly honored?

And I am not so wretched as thou thinkest.

I feel privation--this in humble life Is no misfortune; I'm a fugitive,-- But in the waste I learned to know myself.

When honor's dazzling radiance round me shone, There was a painful struggle in my breast; I was most wretched, when to all I seemed Most worthy to be envied. Now my mind Is healed once more, and this fierce storm in nature, Which threatened your destruction, was my friend; It purified alike the world and me!

I feel an inward peace--and come, what may, Of no more weakness am I conscious now!

RAIMOND.

Oh, let us hasten! come, let us proclaim Thine innocence aloud to all the world!

JOHANNA.

He who sent this delusion will dispel it!

The fruit of fate falls only when 'tis ripe!

A day is coming that will clear my name, When those who now condemn and banish me, Will see their error and will weep my doom.

RAIMOND.

And shall I wait in silence, until chance----

JOHANNA (gently taking her hand).

Thy sense is shrouded by an earthly veil, And dwelleth only on external things, Mine eye hath gazed on the invisible!

--Without permission from our G.o.d no hair Falls from the head of man. Seest thou the sun Declining to the west? So certainly As morn returneth in her radiant light, Infallibly the day of truth shall come!

SCENE V.

QUEEN ISABEL, with soldiers, appears in the background.

ISABEL (behind the scene).

This is the way toward the English camp!

RAIMOND.

Alas! the foe!

[The soldiers advance, and perceiving JOBANNA fall back in terror.

ISABEL.

What now obstructs the march?

SOLDIERS.

May G.o.d protect us!

ISABEL.

Do ye see a spirit?

How! Are ye soldiers! Ye are cowards all!

[She presses forward, but starts back on beholding the MAIDEN.

What do I see!