The Maid of Orleans (play)

SCENE V.

A KNIGHT, entering hastily.

CHARLES.

What tidings? Speak!

KNIGHT.

The foe has crossed the Marne,

And marshalleth his army for the fight.

JOHANNA (inspired).

Battle and tumult! Now my soul is free.

Arm, warriors, arm! while I prepare the troops.

[She goes out.

CHARLES.

Follow, La Hire! E'en at the gates of Rheims

They will compel us to dispute the crown!

DUNOIS.

No genuine courage prompts them. This essay

Is the last effort of enraged despair.

CHARLES.

I do not urge you, duke. To-day's the time

To compensate the errors of the past.

BURGUNDY.

You shall be satisfied with me.

CHARLES.

Myself

Will march before you on the path of fame;

Here, with my royal town of Rheims in view,

I'll fight, and gallantry achieve the crown.

Thy knight, my Agnes, bids thee now farewell!

AGNES (embracing him).

I do not weep, I do not tremble for thee;

My faith, unshaken, cleaveth unto God!

Heaven, were we doomed to failure, had not given

So many gracious pledges of success!

My heart doth whisper me that, victory-crowned,

In conquered Rheims, I shall embrace my king.

[Trumpets sound with a spirited tone, and while the scene

is changing pass into a wild martial strain. When the

scene opens, the orchestra joins in, accompanied by warlike

instruments behind the scene.