ANNA.
My friends will win the fight and I shall die!
The gallant heroes need my arm no more.

LIONEL.
These dastard enemies I scorn. They have
In twenty battles fled before our arms,
Ere this heroic maiden fought for them.
All the whole nation I despise, save one,
And this one they have banished. Come, Fastolfe,
We soon will give them such another day
As that of Poictiers and of Agincourt.
Do you remain with the fortress, queen,
And guard the maiden till the fight is o'er.
I leave for your protection fifty knights.

FASTOLFE.
How! general, shall we march against the foe
And leave this raging fury in our rear?

JOHANNA.
What! can a fettered woman frighten thee?

LIONEL.
Promise, Johanna, not to free thyself.

JOHANNA.
To free myself is now my only wish.

ISABEL.
Bind her with triple chains. I pledged my life
That she shall not escape.

[She is bound with heavy chains.

LIONEL (to JOHANNA).
Thou will'st it so!
Thou dost compel us! still it rests with thee!
Renounce the French--the English banner bear,
And thou art free, and these rude, savage men
Who now desire thy blood shall do thy will.

FASTOLFE (urgently).
Away, away, my general!

JOHANNA.
Spare thy words,
The French are drawing near. Defend thyself!

[Trumpets sound, LIONEL hastens forth.

FASTOLFE.
You know your duty, queen! if fate declares
Against us, should you see our people fly.

ISABEL (showing a dagger).
Fear not. She shall not live to see our fall.

FASTOLFE (to JOHANNA).
Thou knowest what awaits thee, now implore
A blessing on the weapons of thy people.

[Exit.

SCENE XI.

ISABEL, JOHANNA, SOLDIERS.

JOHANNA.
Ay! that I will! no power can hinder me.
Hark to that sound, the war-march of my people!
How its triumphant notes inspire my heart!
Ruin to England! victory to France!
Up, valiant countrymen! The maid is near;
She cannot, as of yore, before you bear
Her banner--she is bound with heavy chains;
But freely from her prison soars her soul,
Upon the pinions of your battle-song.

ISABEL (to a SOLDIER).
Ascend the watch-tower which commands the field,
And thence report the progress of the fight.

[SOLDIER ascends.

JOHANNA.
Courage, my people! 'Tis the final struggle--
Another victory, and the foe lies low!

ISABEL.
What see'st thou?

SOLDIER.
They're already in close fight.
A furious warrior on a Barbary steed,
In tiger's skin, lead