Anna Swanwick - The Maid of Orleans (Act 5 Scene 5) lyrics

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.]