Page 192 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

CHARLES [Exit Bastard.]

Go call her in.

But first, to try her skill, [60]
Reignier, stand thou as dauphin in my place;
Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern;
By this means shall we sound what skill she hath.

Enter [Bastard and] Joan [la] Pucelle [armed].

REIGNIER

[as Charles]
Fair maid, is’t thou wilt do these wondrous feats?

PUCELLE

Reignier, is’t thou that thinkest to beguile me? [65]
Where is the dauphin? [To Charles] Come, come from behind;
I know thee well, though never seen before.
Be not amazed: there’s nothing hid from me.
In private will I talk with thee apart:
Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile. [70]

REIGNIER

[to Alençon and Bastard]
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.

[The Lords withdraw.]

PUCELLE

Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,
My wit untrained in any kind of art.
Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
To shine on my contemptible estate. [75]
Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs
And to sun’s parching heat displayed my cheeks,
God’s mother deignèd to appear to me
And, in a vision full of majesty,
Willed me to leave my base vocation [80]
And free my country from calamity;
Her aid she promised and assured success.
In complete glory she revealed herself -
And whereas I was black and swart before