The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy

TALBOT, BURGUNDY, LIONEL.

Talbot. Heavens! What a woman!

Lionel. Now, brave generals, Your counsel! Shall we prosecute our flight, Or turn, and with a bold and sudden stroke Wipe out the foul dishonor of to-day?

Burgundy. We are too weak, our soldiers are dispersed, The recent terror still unnerves the host.

Talbot. Blind terror, sudden impulse of a moment, Alone occasioned our disastrous rout. This phantom of the terror-stricken brain, More closely viewed will vanish into air. My counsel, therefore, is, at break of day, To lead the army back, across the stream, To meet the enemy.

Burgundy. Consider well----

Lionel. Your pardon! Here is nothing to consider What we have lost we must at once retrieve, Or look to be eternally disgraced.

Talbot. It is resolved. To-morrow morn we fight, This dread-inspiring phantom to destroy, Which thus doth blind and terrify the host Let us in fight encounter this she-devil. If she oppose her person to our sword, Trust me, she never will molest us more; If she avoid our stroke--and be assured She will not stand the hazard of a battle-- Then is the dire enchantment at an end?

Lionel. So be it! And to me, my general, leave This easy, bloodless combat, for I hope Alive to take this ghost, and in my arms, Before the Bastard's eyes--her paramour-- To bear her over to the English camp, To be the sport and mockery of the host.

Burgundy. Make not too sure.

Talbot. If she encounter me, I shall not give her such a soft embrace. Come now, exhausted nature to restore Through gentle sleep. At daybreak we set forth.

[They go out.