The Maid of Orleans: A Tragedy

The same, a NOBLEMAN, afterwards RAIMOND.

NOBLEMAN. A shepherd youth inquires after your highness, He urgently entreats an interview, He says he cometh from the maiden----

Dunois. Haste! Conduct him hither! He doth come from her!

[The NOBLEMAN opens the door to RAIMOND, DUNOIS hastens to meet him.

Where is she? Where is the maid?

Raimond. Hail! noble prince! And blessed am I that I find with you This holy man, the shield of the oppressed, The father of the poor and destitute!

Dunois. Where is the maiden?

Archbishop. Speak, my son, inform us!

Raimond. She is not, sir, a wicked sorceress! To God and all his saints I make appeal. An error blinds the people. You've cast forth God's messenger, you've banished innocence!

Dunois. Where is she?

Raimond. I accompanied her flight Towards the woods of Ardennes; there she hath Revealed to me her spirit's inmost depths. In torture I'll expire, and will resign My hopes of everlasting happiness, If she's not guiltless, sir, of every sin!

Dunois. The sun in heaven is not more pure than she! Where is she? Speak!

Raimond. If God hath turned your hearts, Oh hasten, I entreat you--rescue her She is a prisoner in the English camp.

Dunois. A prisoner say you?

Archbishop. Poor unfortunate!

Raimond. There in the forest as we sought for shelter, We were encountered by Queen Isabel, Who seized and sent her to the English host. Oh, from a cruel death deliver her Who hath full many a time delivered you!

Dunois. Sound an alarm! to arms! up! beat the drums. Forth to the field! Let France appear in arms! The crown and the palladium are at stake! Our honor is in pledge! risk blood and life! She must be rescued ere the day is done!

[Exit.