Part 438 (1/2)

If G.o.d hath turned your hearts, Oh hasten, I entreat you--rescue her She is a prisoner in the English camp.

DUNOIS.

A prisoner say you?

ARCHBISHOP.

Poor unfortunate!

RAIMOND.

There in the forest as we sought for shelter, We were encountered by Queen Isabel, Who seized and sent her to the English host.

Oh, from a cruel death deliver her Who hath full many a time delivered you!

DUNOIS.

Sound an alarm! to arms! up! beat the drums.

Forth to the field! Let France appear in arms!

The crown and the palladium are at stake!

Our honor is in pledge! risk blood and life!

She must be rescued ere the day is done!

[Exit.

SCENE IX.

A watch-tower--an opening above. JOHANNA and LIONEL.

FASTOLFE (entering hastily).

The people can no longer be restrained.

With fury they demand the maiden's death.

In vain your opposition. Let her die And throw her head down from the battlements!

Her blood alone will satisfy the host.

ISABEL (coming in).

With ladders they begin to scale the walls.

Appease the angry people! Will you wait Till in blind fury they o'erthrow the tower, And we beneath its towers are destroyed?

Protect her here you cannot. Give her up!

LIONEL.

Let them storm on. In fury let them rage!

Firm is this castle, and beneath its ruins I will be buried ere I yield to them.

--Johanna, answer me! only be mine, And I will s.h.i.+eld thee 'gainst a world in arms.

ISABEL.

Are you a man?

LIONEL.

Thy friends have cast thee off.

To thy ungrateful country then dost owe Duty and faith no longer. The false cowards Who sought thy hand, forsake thee in thy need.

They for thy honor venture not the fight, But I, against my people and 'gainst thine, Will be thy champion. Once thou didst confess My life was dear to thee; in combat then I stood before thee as thine enemy-- Thou hast not now a single friend but me.