Chapter 15

_Another empty space in the field of battle. In the distance are seen the towers of Rheims illuminated by the sun._

_A Knight, cased in black armour, with his visor shut._ JOANNA _follows him to the front of the scene, where he stops and awaits her._

JOANNA. Deceiver! Now I see thy craft. Thou hast, By seeming flight, enticed me from the battle, And warded death and destiny from off the head Of many a Briton. Now they reach thy own.

KNIGHT. Why dost thou follow me, and track my stops With murd'rous fury? I am not appointed To die by thee.

JOANNA. Deep in my lowest soul I hate thee as the Night, which is thy colour. To sweep thee from the face of Earth, I feel Some irresistible desire impelling me. Who art thou? Lift thy visor: had not I Seen Talbot fall, I should have named thee Talbot.

KNIGHT. Speaks not the prophesying Spirit in thee?

JOANNA. It tells me loudly, in my inmost bosom, That Misfortune is at hand.

KNIGHT. Joanna d'Arc! Up to the gates of Rheims hast thou advanced, Led on by victory. Let the renown Already gain'd suffice thee! As a slave Has Fortune serv'd thee: emancipate her, Ere in wrath she free herself; fidelity She hates; no one obeys she to the end.

JOANNA. How say'st thou, in the middle of my course, That I should pause and leave my work unfinish'd? I will conclude it, and fulfil my vow.

KNIGHT. Nothing can withstand thee; thou art most strong; In ev'ry battle thou prevailest. But go Into no other battle. Hear my warning!

JOANNA. This sword I quit not, till the English yield.

KNIGHT. Look! Yonder rise the towers of Rheims, the goal And purpose of thy march; thou seest the dome Of the cathedral glittering in the sun: There wouldst thou enter in triumphal pomp, To crown thy sov'reign and fulfil thy vow. Enter not there. Turn homewards. Hear my warning!

JOANNA. Who art thou, false, double-tongued betrayer, That wouldst frighten and perplex me? Dar'st thou Utter lying oracles to me?

[_The Black Knight attempts to go; she steps in his way._

No! Thou shalt answer me, or perish by me!

[_She lifts her arm to strike him._

KNIGHT [_touches her with his hand: she stands immovable_]. Kill what is mortal!

[_Darkness, lightning and thunder. The Knight sinks._

JOANNA [_stands at first amazed: but soon recovers herself_]. It was nothing earthly. Some delusive form of Hell, some spirit Of Falsehood, sent from th' everlasting Pool To tempt and terrify my fervent soul! Bearing the sword of God, what do I fear? Victorious will I end my fated course; Though Hell itself with all its fiends assail me, My heart and faith shall never faint or fail me. [_She is going._