Act 5 — Scene VII.—Street in Rouen.
Reading edition
Officer. Soldiers.
Off. Place upon every gate a double guard. Let none have egress: line the leading streets, And death to him who dares to quit his post.
[Exit.
Enter Du Nois, Xaintrailles, &c.
Du N. Now mark me! that we may escape detection, We must divide our fifty into tens, And mingle in the train.
Xaint. Where rendezvous?
Du N. By yonder church. The narrow turn must break In part the line. Upon the signal given Rush through the guards, promptly secure the maid, And whilst confusion reigns we'll force a passage To the eastern gate. I have already gained it.
Xaint. The time?
Du N. The first deep toll of yonder bell.
Xaint. Enough! all hearts are in the cause.
[Exeunt.
Another part of the Street in front of the Prison.
Enter Spectators.
First Spectator. What crowds collect! each avenue is filled, And every street appears a solid mass: E'en to the topmost ridge each house is crammed With earnest gazers; not an eye but turns Towards the black prison-walls; yet 'tis an hour Ere the gates open for the sad procession. Are scenes of death and agony so pleasant That such a throng of eager witnesses Should press to view them?
Second Spec. Such a death is new, And thoughts of men are differently moved. Some deem the maid condemned a tool of hell, And some a chosen instrument of Heaven. Fain would they see which will assert its claim; Whether the fiend will leave her to her fate, Or some great miracle be worked to save her.
Enter several of Du Nois' Friends.
First Voice. What sound is that?
Second Voice. It is the abbey bell. None can mistake its toll.
Third Voice. It cannot be; 'Tis not the hour.
Enter Xaintrailles.
Xaint. The governor suspecting Treason perchance, or some attempt at rescue, Has changed both hour and route. The walls are manned, And every part is thronged with bristling spears.
[The Procession partly seen in the distance.
Enter Du Nois.
Du N. Lose not an instant, or the maid is lost! Hurry down yonder avenue: by this We meet you at the church.
[Exeunt.