RP3 16r bis
|
JEAN MASSIEU Don't you recognize that God has often worked wonders for you?... Jean d'Aulon, your squire, says that at Saint- Pierre-le-Moutier you said you had in your company fifty thousand men, though you really had only four or five... The victory you reported that day seems miraculous to me. JOAN It's true God has often chosen me to be the instrument of His marvels, but it is to save France that He has worked these wonders. .. as for me, He has willed that I suffer much. How many tears have I not wept at seeing the contradictions among the great ones of the court?... Now my blood must mix with my tears.... At the assault on Tournelles, an arrow struck me and I fell, and if I hadn't been rescued by my Saints, I'd have been taken prisoner right there, since the English were already thronged around me. But the hour set by God had not yet come... I didn't know then the trials that awaited me.... In my letters to the English, I always talked about peace, and I dreamt of a crusade, if they'd ally themselves with us... In response I got nothing but threats and insults, which I treated as they deserved.... Now I am in their power, but I hope for the deliverance [16*v] that my voices have promised me. As for myself, I give witness to a clear conscience, and I am a good Christian, submissive to the Church, whatever my enemies may say. JEAN MASSIEU The bishop of Beauvais is the representative of the Church and you promised him to stop wearing men's clothes. Why have you put them on again?... JOAN I fully intended to keep my promise, but yesterday the jailer took away my women's clothes and absolutely refused to give them back, despite my requests and my tears... I had no choice but to put on my warrior's outfit. I don't believe I have broken my vow. Besides, the bishop of Beauvais has not kept faith himself. Didn't he promise me that from now on I'd beguarded by Church people and not by the English?... It was only this promise that made me say I'd stop wearing men's clothing, for I'm convinced that in this prison where I find myself, I ought to wear it. My voices have told me so, and everyone who believes in my mission approves...
© Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, Inc |
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/rp-3?start=30#sigProGalleriaab168dee89 |
RP3 16v
|
my mission is from God... Even if the bonfire were there and I felt the flames, I would never say anything contrary to that. JEAN MASSIEU, in an emotional voice. Alas! you may soon doubt the reality of your mission.... If you know the news I bring you!... JOAN Has the army of the king suffered a defeat?... Should that happen, it would not make me doubt, for I have been assured that, before seven years have passed, the English will be chased from France....
JEAN MASSIEU It's not about the French army, it's about you. O Joan! how it costs me to tell you this terrible news... I, who have always been so devoted to you... but I must, at the peril of my life... Besides, if I hide the truth from you someone else will tell you. ( After a pause, Jean Massieu, who seems more and more moved, unrolls the scroll and says:) Joan, your sentence has been pronounced: you are condemned to be publicly burnt this very day. JOAN To be burnt! ! !... O my God, is it possible.... I'd rather be beheaded seven times over!... But what crime have I committed?... © Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, Inc |
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/rp-3?start=30#sigProGalleria4ccb799a7d |
RP3 17r
|
JEAN MASSIEU, reading from the parchment. You are accused of being a Heretic, Relapsed, Apostate, Idolater, and Sorceress. JOAN Alas! if I'd been taken to Rome, as I so often asked, the Holy Father would have recognized that I was innocent... Oh! I appeal to God, the great judge of the universe, against the unjust death my enemies are going to make me suffer.... (She hides her face in her hands to weep.) JEAN MASSIEU Have you not strong courage, Joan? Don't you believe that you will be saved?.... JOAN, lifting up her head with a noble pride. I firmly believe, as my voices have told me, that I shall be saved; I believe as firmly as if it were already so... JEAN MASSIEU I'm going to leave you alone so you can more freely prepare to go before God......... (He gets up; as he crosses the doorstep, he turns and says in an emotional voice:) Joan, when you are in Heaven, pray for me! [Scene 4] JOAN, alone. Is it true I'm to be burned?... Oh no! I still hope for deliverance.... my voices have promised me! Saint Michael, I put © Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, Inc |
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/rp-3?start=30#sigProGalleria63beba842d |
RP3 17v
|
my confidence in you. Oh! come and break my bonds....
[Scene 5]
THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL enters
and chants to the tune of "Adieux du martyr" ["The Martyr's Farewells"]
I am not that glorious archangel
who came before to arm you for battle,
But I have left the heavenly host
To comfort you here below..........
I, Gabriel, flew down to the earth
To gather the Savior's tears.
I was witness to His bitter sorrow
And came from Heaven to comfort His heart.
In the garden, on the eve of His passion,
I supported the Almighty Lord.
I saw the tears on His blessed Face!...
I saw His adorable Blood flow out! ! !...
But I take away the sights from sinners,
I show the Savior God His chosen...
You'll smile on Him through all the ages.
Joan, your name has consoled Jesus!...
JOAN O beautiful angel! how sweet is your voice! I feel hope reborn in my heart when you speak to me of the sufferings of
Jesus....... Alas! I am almost revolted to think of the treason of which I'm the victim, since I know I have been sold to the English.... and now all the French have abandoned me... even my King seems not to be disturbed by my death!...
THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL continues to the tune of "Adieux du martyr" ["The Martyr's Farewells"]
© Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, Inc |
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/rp-3?start=30#sigProGalleria898847456d
|
RP3 18r
|
Jesus saw His own apostle
Hand Him over to all His enemies.
At this supreme moment, He found Himself
Abandoned by His dearest friends...
Like your God, you have to defend you
No one at all, no, not even the King.
But Heaven has deigned to come down to your heart.
Jesus is there, Joan, right by your side.
JOAN Jesus is near me!... Why then has He allowed the priests to condemn me?... If I had been judged by the English, I wouldn't have suffered so much by my sentence... But it is a bishop of my own country who says I'm worthy of death!....
THE ARCHANGEL God the Word, the Creator of the world,
Was condemned by His chosen people.
This universe overflowing with His love
Gave Him only scorn... the Cross!...
In the Holy place, the high priest Caiaphas
Decided the Redeemer's death.
And this was for our Divine Master „
His greatest and most bitter sorrow!...
JOAN Oh! how it consoles me to see that my agony is like that of my Savior.... But I do not feel His Divine presence, and death still makes me afraid!... THE ARCHANGEL Dying at Calvary, the Redeemer
Saw Himself abandoned by the Eternal One.
He cried out in His bitter sorrow,
"My God, why have You forsaken Me?..."
© Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, Inc |
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/rp-3?start=30#sigProGalleriad257775637 |