ly this
place!

_Archbishop to Johanna_. In the name of God, I speak to
thee. Art silent From pride of innocence, or shame of guilt?
If now this voice of thunder testify _For_ thee,--in sign
thereof embrace this cross.

[_Johanna remains motionless. Repeated
peals of thunder. All leave the church
except Dunois._

_Dunois._ Thou art my own bride, Johanna! I
Have from the first believed, and still believe.
Thee will I rather trust than all these signs,
Than even this thunder speaking from above.
'Tis noble pride withholds thee, thou disdain'st
Wrapt in thy sacred innocence, these mad
Outrageous charges to refute.
Disdain so still; confide alone in me,
Who of thy purity have doubted never,
I ask no word; place but thy hand in mine,
In token that thou wilt confide in me,
In this arm and thy own good cause.

[_He extends his hand. She turns away with
convulsive start._

(_Du Chatel re-enters, and afterwards Raimond._)

_Du Chatel_. Johanna d'Arc! The king permits
That undisturb'd you quit the town of Rheims.
The gates stand open; no man shall molest you.
Count Dumois, follow me--you gain no honour in lingering here.

[_Du Chatel and Dunois leave_

_Raimond_. Seize on this moment! The streets are empty--give me
your hand.

[_Johanna looks upwards to heaven, then
hastily taking his hand, goes out_.

Under the guidance of Raimond, the prophetess and champion, deserted it
seems by man and heaven, enters a wood, where she is taken prisoner by a
party of English. She is sent a captive to _Lionel_. But adversity has
now reinstated her in all the primitive austerity of her heart; the
weakness she has so severely expiated, has left her; she has no heart
now but for her country. In vain Lionel promises all--for Lionel, as
well as Dunois, loves her; she answers only by denouncing the enemies of
France.

A battle is joined under the walls of the tower in which she is
imprisoned; she has been bound in fetters of threefold strength; Lionel
has gone forth to lead his army, and the fierce Isabeau is her jailer.
She holds a drawn dagger over her head. If the ki