[Johanna remains motionless. Agnes Sorel steps back with horror.
La Hire. She is amazed! Astonishment and terror Have closed her mouth. Before such hellish charge Must purity itself recoil with fright.
[Approaches her.
Take courage! Be thyself! The innocent Have their own proper language, and their look Is lightning to consume foul calumny. In noble scorn, arouse thyself—look up—Confound with shame this most unworthy doubt, Which wrongs thy sacred virtue.
[Johanna remains motionless. La Hire steps back. The general horror increases.
Dunois. What scares the people? What dismays the king? Oh, she is innocent! I pledge myself, I pledge for her my honour as a prince. Here do I throw my gauntlet down. Who dares To slander her with guilt?
[A violent peal of thunder is heard. All start back terrified.
Thibaut. God answers! God, Who thunders from above. Pronounce thyself, Child of perdition, guiltless, if thou dar'st—
[A second peal of thunder is heard. The people fly on all sides.
Burgundy. God shield us! What an awful signal!