Joan of Arc: A Play in Five Acts

								

No exertion, compatible with higher duties, would be thought too severe
to obtain the former, nor any degree of patient labour too lengthened to
avoid the latter. She is, however, so circumstanced as to preclude such
a dedication of her time, and therefore is it that she ventures to ask
for that indulgence which, in another case, she would have deemed it
unjustifiable to claim or to expect.
But whilst all attempt at originality is disclaimed, imitation of any
one, or assistance from any one is equally disavowed. This play was
written before the late productions, which bear the same title, made
their appearance. Its defects therefore are its own; its merits--if
happily it possess any--are its own also; and standing thus entirely
upon its native ground, it is respectfully submitted to the judgment of
the public.



                                                            J. A. S.
CLAPTON SQUARE,

    May, 1840.

DRAMATIS PERSON�.

MEN.


CHARLES.
DUKE OF BEDFORD.
DU NOIS.
JOHN TALBOT.
DUKE ALEN�ON.
EARL OF WARWICK.
XAINTRAILLES.
EARL OF RICHEMONT.
VALANCOUR.
EARL OF SUFFOLK.
CARDINAL BEAUVAIS.
ARNAULT.
LOUVEL.
ARLINGTON.
ABBOT.
AUSTIN.
ARCHBISHOP.
OFFICER.

        Soldiers, &c.

WOMEN.


JOAN.
COUNTESS OF WARWICK.
BERTHA.
WIDOW OF CAMOUSE.

JOAN OF ARC.

ACT I.

SCENE I.--Chinon.
ALEN�ON. XAINTRAILLES.


ALEN�ON.                     Welcome again to freedom!
France may rejoice, since thou in arms once more
Art seen for her.


XAINT.            In arms to little purpose.
Our cause is lost, my lord. Orleans, our best,
Last hope, must fall, and shortly. But I have sought thee,
Eager to know, to learn,--


ALEN.                          What wouldst thou know?


XAINT. This strange report! this damsel, who, 'tis said,
Is hither come to work such wondrous feats--
Whence doth she spring?


ALEN.                         From Domremie; her birth
Not less obscure than this her native village.


XAINT. How introduced?


ALEN.                       She first besought from Baudricour
An escort to the Dauphin; but in vain.
At length, her suit oft urged, fair character,
And lofty words prevailed with him.


XAINT.                              The prince
Will ne'er demean himself to listen to her?


ALEN. A drowning man will catch, and eagerly,
At weeds uprooted by the storm that wrecked him.
She comes to-day, by order from himself,
Before the council.


XAINT.              Hast seen her?


ALEN.                              I have.


XAINT. Describe her: is she young?


ALEN.                                Of that sweet age
When girlish smiles assume the dignity
Which conscious womanhood doth first confer:
The rose just blushing to the full.


XAINT.                             Rustic,