The Maid of Orleans. Friedrich von Schiller

When they at honor's call maintain the fight,

         Or for their idols or their gods contend.

         A truce to such effeminate pity, then,

         Which is not suited to a monarch's breast.

         Thou didst not heedlessly provoke the war;

         As it commenced, so let it spend its fury.

         It is the law of destiny that nations

         Should for their monarchs immolate themselves.

         We Frenchmen recognize this sacred law,

         Nor would annul it. Base, indeed, the nation

         That for its honor ventures not its all.

CHARLES (to the SENATORS)

         You've heard my last resolve; expect no other.

         May God protect you! I can do no more.

DUNOIS

         As thou dost turn thy back upon thy realm,

         So may the God of battle aye avert

         His visage from thee. Thou forsak'st thyself,

         So I forsake thee. Not the power combined

         Of England and rebellious Burgundy,

         Thy own mean spirit hurls thee from the throne.

         Born heroes ever were the kings of France;

         Thou wert a craven, even from thy birth.

[To the SENATORS.

         The king abandons you. But I will throw

         Myself into your town – my father's town —

         And 'neath its ruins find a soldier's grave.

[He is about to depart. AGNES SOREL detains him.SOREL (to the KING)

         Oh, let him not depart in anger from thee!

         Harsh words his lips have uttered, but his heart

         Is true as gold. 'Tis he, himself, my king,

         Who loves thee, and hath often bled for thee.

         Dunois, confess, the heat of noble wrath

         Made thee forget thyself; and oh, do thou

         Forgive a faithful friend's o'erhasty speech!

         Come, let me quickly reconcile your hearts,

         Ere anger bursteth forth in quenchless flame.

[DUNOIS looks fixedly at the KING, and appears to await an answer.CHARLES

         Our way lies over the Loire. Duchatel,

         See all our equipage embarked.

DUNOIS (quickly to SOREL)

                          Farewell.

[He turns quickly round, and goes out. The SENATORS follow.SOREL (wringing her hands in despair)

         Oh, if he goes, we are forsaken quite!

         Follow, La Hire! Oh, seek to soften him!

[LA HIRE goes out.

      SCENE VI

      CHARLES, SOREL, DUCHATEL.

CHARLES

         Is, then, the sceptre such a peerless treasure?

         Is it so hard to loose it from our grasp?

         Believe me, 'tis more galling to endure

         The domineering rule of these proud vassals.

         To be dependent on their will and pleasure

         Is, to a noble heart, more bitter far

         Than to submit to fate.

[To DUCHATEL, who still lingers.

                      Duchatel, go,

         And do what I commanded.

DUCHATEL (throws himself at the KING'S feet)

                       Oh, my king!

CHARLES

         No more! Thou'st heard my absolute resolve!

DUCHATEL

         Sire, with the Duke of Burgundy make peace!

         'Tis the sole outlet from destruction left!

CHARLES

         Thou giv'st this counsel, and thy blood alone

         Can ratify this peace.

DUCHATEL

                     Here is my head.

         I oft have risked it for thee in the fight,

         And with a joyful spirit I, for thee,

         Would lay it down upon the block of death.

         Conciliate the duke! Deliver me

         To the full measure of his wrath, and let

         My flowing blood appease the ancient hate.

CHARLES (looks at him for some time in silence, and with deep emotion)

         Can it be true? Am I, then, sunk so low,

         That even friends, who read my inmost heart,

         Point out for my escape the path of shame?

         Yes, now I recognize my abject fall.

         My honor is no more confided in.

DUCHATEL

         Reflect —

CHARLES

               Be silent, and incense me not!

         Had I ten realms, on which to turn my back,

         With my friend's life I would not purchase them.

         Do what I have commanded. Hence, and see

         My equipage embarked.

DUCHATEL

                     'Twill speedily

         Be done.

[He stands up and retires. AGNES SOREL weeps passionately.

      SCENE VII

      The royal palace at Chinon.

      CHARLES, AGNES SOREL.

CHARLES (seizing the hand of AGNES)

              My Agnes, be not sorrowful!

         Beyond the Loire we still shall find a France;

         We are departing to a happier land,

         Where laughs a milder, an unclouded sky,

         And gales more genial blow; we there shall meet

         More gentle manners; song abideth there,

         And love and life in richer beauty bloom.

SOREL

         Oh, must I contemplate this day of woe!

         The king must roam in banishment! the son

         Depart, an exile from his father's house,

         And turn his back upon his childhood's home!

         Oh, pleasant, happy land that we forsake,