The Maid of Orleans (play)

SCENE VIII.

JOHANNA (alone).

To death thy foot did bear thee-fare thee well!

[She steps away from him and remains absorbed in thought.

Virgin, thou workest mightily in me!

My feeble arm thou dost endue with strength,

And steep'st my woman's heart in cruelty.

In pity melts the soul and the hand trembles,

As it did violate some sacred fane,

To mar the goodly person of the foe.

Once I did shudder at the polished sheath,

But when 'tis needed, I'm possessed with strength,

And as it were itself a thing of life,

The fatal weapon, in my trembling grasp,

Self-swayed, inflicteth the unerring stroke.