The Maid of Orleans (play)

SCENE IV.

Spectators occupy the background; BERTRAND, CLAUDE MARIE, and

ETIENNE come forward; then MARGOT and LOUISON. The Coronation

march is heard in the distance.

BERTRAND.

Hark to the music! They approach already!

What had we better do? Shall we mount up

Upon the platform, or press through the crowd,

That we may nothing lose of the procession?

ETIENNE.

It is not to be thought of. All the streets

Are thronged with horsemen and with carriages.

Beside these houses let us take our stand,

Here we without annoyance may behold

The train as it goes by.

CLAUDE MARIE.

Almost it seems

As were the half of France assembled here,

So mighty is the flood that it hath reached

Even our distant Lotharingian land

And borne us thither!

BERTRAND.

Who would sit at home

When great events are stirring in the land!

It hath cost plenty, both of sweat and blood,

Ere the crown rested on its rightful head!

Nor shall our lawful king, to whom we give

The crown, be worse accompanied than he

Whom the Parisians in St. Denis crowned!

He is no loyal, honest-minded man

Who doth absent him from this festival,

And joins not in the cry: "God save the King!"