QUEEN ISABEL, with soldiers, appears in the background. ISABEL (behind the scene). This is the way toward the English camp! RAIMOND. Alas! the foe! [The soldiers advance, and perceiving JOBANNA fall back in terror. ISABEL. What now obstructs the march? SOLDIERS. May God protect us! ISABEL. Do ye see a spirit? How! Are ye soldiers! Ye are cowards all! [She presses forward, but starts back on beholding the MAIDEN. What do I see! [She collects herself quickly and approaches her. Submit thyself! Thou art My prisoner! JOHANNA. I am. [RAIMOND flies in despair. ISABEL (to the soldiers). Lay her in chains! [The soldiers timidly approach the MAIDEN; she extends her arms and is chained. Is this the mighty, the terrific one, Who chased your warriors like a flock of lambs, Who, powerless now, cannot protect herself? Doth she work miracles with credulous fools, And lose her influence when she meets a man? [To the MAIDEN. Why didst thou leave the army? Where's Dunois, Thy knight and thy protector. JOHANNA. I am banished. [ISABEL, stepping back astonished. ISABEL. What say'st thou? Thou art banished? By the Dauphin? JOHANNA. Inquire no further! I am in thy power, Decide my fate. ISABEL. Banished, because thou hast Snatched him from ruin, placed upon his brow The crown at Rheims, and made him King of France? Banished! Therein I recognize my son! —Conduct her to the camp, and let the host Behold the phantom before whom they trembled! She a magician? Her sole magic lies In your delusion and your cowardice! She is a fool who sacrificed herself To save her king, and reapeth for her pains A king's reward. Bear her to Lionel. The fortune of the French! send him bound; I'll follow anon. JOHANNA. To Lionel? Slay me at once, ere send me unto him. ISABEL (to the soldiers). Obey your orders, soldiers! Bear her hence. [Exit. |