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._

SCENE X.

LIONEL, JOANNA.

LIONEL. Accursed Sorceress, prepare for battle:
Not both of us shall leave the place alive.
Thou hast destroyed the chosen of my host;
Brave Talbot has breath'd out his mighty spirit
In my bosom. I will avenge the Dead,
Or share his fate. And wouldst thou know the man
Who brings thee glory, let him die or conquer,
I am Lionel, the last survivor
Of our chiefs; and still unvanquish'd is this arm.

[_He rushes towards her; after a short contest, she strikes the sword
from his hand._

Faithless fortune! [_He struggles with her._

JOANNA [_seizes him by the plume from behind, and tears his helmet
violently down, so that his face is exposed: at
the same time she lifts her sword with the right
hand_].
Suffer what thou soughtest!
The Virgin sacrifices thee through me!

[_At this moment she looks in his face; his aspect touches her; she
stands immovable, and then slowly drops her arm._

LIONEL. Why lingerest thou, and stayest the stroke of death?
My honour thou hast taken, take my life:
'Tis in thy hands to take it; I want not mercy.
[_She gives him a sign with her hand to depart._
Fly from _thee_? Owe _thee_ my life? Die rather!

JOANNA [_her face turned away_].
I will not remember