The Maid of Orleans (play)

SCENE XII.

The same, without JOHANNA.

ISABEL (after a long pause).

How was it? Did I dream? Where is she gone?

How did she break these ponderous iron chains?

A world could not have made me credit it,

If I had not beheld it with these eyes.

SOLDIER (from the tower).

How? Hath she wings? Hath the wind borne her down?

ISABEL.

Is she below?

SOLDIER.

She strides amidst the fight:

Her course outspeeds my sight-now she is here-

Now there-I see her everywhere at once!

-She separates the troops-all yield to her:

The scattered French collect-they form anew!

-Alas! what do I see! Our people cast

Their weapons to the ground, our banners sink--

ISABEL.

What? Will she snatch from us the victory?

SOLDIER.

She presses forward, right towards the king.

She reaches him-she bears him from the fight-

Lord Fastolfe falls-the general is taken!

ISABEL.

I'll hear no more! Come down!

SOLDIER.

Fly, queen! you will be taken by surprise.

Armed soldiers are advancing tow'rds the tower.

[He comes down.

ISABEL (drawing her sword).

Then fight, ye cowards!