KING (averting his face).
Give her the banner!
[It is given to her. She stands quite unsupported,
the banner in her hand. The heaven is illumined
by a rosy light.
JOHANNA.
See you the rainbow yonder in the air?
Its golden portals heaven doth wide unfold,
Amid the angel choir she radiant stands,
The eternal Son she claspeth to her breast,
Her arms she stretcheth forth to me in love.
How is it with me? Light clouds bear me up—
My ponderous mail becomes a winged robe;
I mount—I fly—back rolls the dwindling earth—
Brief is the sorrow—endless is the joy!
[Her banner falls and she sinks lifeless on the ground. All remain for some time in speechless sorrow. Upon a signal from the KING, all the banners are gently placed over her, so that she is entirely concealed by them.
THE BRIDE OF MESSINA
AND
ON THE USE OF THE CHORUS IN TRAGEDY.
By Frederich Schiller