Alençon. Xaintrailles.
Alençon. Welcome again to freedom!
France may rejoice, since thou in arms once more
Art seen for her.
Xaint. In arms to little purpose.
Our cause is lost, my lord. Orleans, our best,
Last hope, must fall, and shortly. But I have sought thee,
Eager to know, to learn,—
Alen. What wouldst thou know?
Xaint. This strange report! this damsel, who, 'tis said,
Is hither come to work such wondrous feats—
Whence doth she spring?
Alen. From Domremie; her birth
Not less obscure than this her native village.
Xaint. How introduced?
Alen. She first besought from Baudricour
An escort to the Dauphin; but in vain.
At length, her suit oft urged, fair character,
And lofty words prevailed with him.
Xaint. The prince
Will ne'er demean himself to listen to her?
Alen. A drowning man will catch, and eagerly,
At weeds uprooted by the storm that wrecked him.
She comes to-day, by order from himself,
Before the council.