Part 22 (1/2)

DU N. Never has it failed me, Nor shall it fail me now--nay, doubt me not; I swore to lay thee in a grave that's free-- Rouen is cursed by the usurper's foot, And here thou shalt not die, so hear me Heaven!-- But not another moment may I linger.

When next we meet--'twill be in bliss.

[_Exit._

JOAN. When next We meet 'twill be, I trust, in bliss, but bliss That waits in heaven.

COUNT. May I not speak to thee?

I would not give thee pain, no, not in thought.

I knew thee brave, so brave I feared thy name, And never had I dared to venture near thee; But now to see thee thus, so sweet, so gentle, I feel as if some silver chord had linked Our hearts together, and would claim thee sister.

And thou canst weep!

JOAN. Tears are woman's birthright, Starting to her relief in joy or sorrow.

I thought myself abhorred, cast off by all, And I have found a friend, midst all unchanged, And sweeter still--compa.s.sion in my s.e.x.

COUNT. Thou must not, shall not die. I'll to my Warwick.

JOAN. It is in vain, and the swift moments fly.

Lady, leave me. I must be calm in death, Lest nature's weakness make my foes to triumph.

The blessing of a spirit thou hast soothed Gild thy bright path and cheer thy parting hour.

Farewell, for ever.

COUNT. No; Du Nois, Warwick, Shall save thee yet.

[_Exit._

JOAN. Alas! hope cheats me not.

My hour is come, and I content to die.

It was a trying hour; for hard it is To measure back our steps to life, when we Have almost knocked at death's grim portals.

One tear for thee, Du Nois, the last I shed.

One prayer for thee, my country and my king.

My king! a princely diadem is his, And mine this murky dungeon and these chains: Yet have I placed him there--and mine The hand that stemmed his fortune's tide, and broke The fetters that enslaved the land.

Enough. The bitterness of death, is past.

That thought has robbed the flames of all their terrors.

Farewell to earth! farewell to earthly ties!

When next I think of him, of thee, my country, Then will eternity have set its impress Upon remembrance.

SCENE VII.--_Street in Rouen._

OFFICER. SOLDIERS.

OFF. Place upon every gate a double guard.

Let none have egress: line the leading streets, And death to him who dares to quit his post.

[_Exit._