READ STUDY GUIDE: Act 1, Scenes iv-viii |
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Act I, Scene viii
| [Enter, on the walls, La Pucelle, Charles,Reignier, Alencon, and Soldiers.] |
| PUCELLE.: |
| Advance our waving colours on the walls; |
| Rescued is Orleans from the English: |
| Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word. |
| CHARLES.: |
| Divinest creature, Astraea's daughter, |
| How shall I honour thee for this success? |
| Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens |
| That one day bloom'd and fruitful were the next. |
| France, triumph in thy glorious prophetess! |
| Recover'd is the town of Orleans. |
| More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state. |
| REIGNIER.: |
| Why ring not out the bells aloud throughout the town? |
| Dauphin, command the citizens make bonfires |
| And feast and banquet in the open streets, |
| To celebrate the joy that God hath given us. |
| ALENCON.: |
| All France will be replete with mirth and joy, |
| When they shall hear how we have play'd the men. |
| CHARLES.: |
| 'Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won; |
| For which I will divide my crown with her; |
| And all the priests and friars in my realm |
| Shall in procession sing her endless praise. |
| A statelier pyramis to her I 'll rear |
| Than Rhodope's of Memphis ever was; |
| In memory of her when she is dead, |
| Her ashes, in an urn more precious |
| Than the rich-jewel'd coffer of Darius, |
| Transported shall be at high festivals |
| Before the kings and queens of France. |
| No longer on Saint Denis will we cry, |
| But Joan la Pucelle shall be France's saint. |
| Come in, and let us banquet royally |
| After this golden day of victory. |
| [Flourish. Exeunt.] |
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