Читать книгу Joan of Arc: In her own words - Joan of Arc - Страница 9

March–April, 1429

FOR THREE WEEKS I was examined by learned men in Chinon and Poitiers, and the King received a sign concerning what I had done before he would believe in me.

And the scholars were of this opinion, that they could see nothing but good in my undertaking.

HER WORDS TO HER ESCORT

I know that I shall have much to do in Poitiers. But my Lord will help me. In God’s name, let us go on!

HER ANSWERS TO HER EXAMINERS

I do not know A from B.

I am come from the King of Heaven to raise the siege of Orléans and to lead the Dauphin to Reims to be crowned and anointed.

In God’s name, I did not come to Poitiers to give signs! Take me to Orléans, and I will show you a sign and for what I am sent!

The voice has told me that it is God’s will to deliver the people of France from the calamity that is upon them.

(Guillaume Aimery answers, “If it be God’s will to deliver them, then there is no need for soldiers.” Then Jehanne:)

In God’s name! The soldiers will fight, and God will give the victory!

Has one of you paper and ink? Then write what I tell you: “You, Suffolk, Glasdale, and La Pole, in the name of the King of Heaven I summon you to depart into England.”

I was ill content with so much questioning, being held back from accomplishing that for which I was sent. The time was ripe to act.

I asked my Lord’s messengers what I should do. And they answered me, saying, “Take up the banner of your Lord.” And thereupon I had a banner made.

The field of it was sown with lilies, and therein was our Lord holding the world, with two angels, one on either hand. It was white, and on it there were written the names Jhesus Maria, and it was fringed with silk.

I had the sword which I had brought from Vaucoulers.

I sent to make search for another sword in the church of Saint Catherine at Fierbois, behind the altar. It was found there presently, all rusted, and on it there were five crosses. And the priests there rubbed it, and the rust fell away of itself.

I loved that sword, because it was found in the church of Saint Catherine, whom I loved.

But I loved my banner forty times better than my sword. And when I went against the enemy, I carried my banner myself, lest I kill any. I have never killed a man.

I knew that I would surely raise the siege of Orléans, for it had been revealed to me. And this I had told my King.

HER WORDS TO CHARLES

I shall last a year, and but little longer: we must think to do good work in that year. Four things are laid upon me: to drive out the English; to bring you to be crowned and anointed at Reims; to rescue the Duke of Orléans from the hands of the English; and to raise the siege of Orléans.

And the King set to work, giving me ten or twelve thousand men, and I went to Orléans.

Letter, March 22, 1429

JHESUS MARIA

King of England, and you, Duke of Bedford, who call yourself Regent of the Kingdom of France; you, William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk; John, Lord Talbot; and you, Thomas, Lord Scales, who call yourselves lieutenants of the said Duke of Bedford: Do justice to the King of Heaven; surrender to the Maid, who is sent here from God, King of Heaven, the keys of all the good towns you have taken and violated in France. She is come from God to uphold the blood royal. She is ready to make peace if you will do justice, relinquishing France and paying for what you have withheld.

As to you, you archers and men-at-arms, gentle and others, who are before the town of Orléans, go hence into your own country in God’s name; and if you do not so, expect to hear news of the Maid, who will shortly come to see you, to your very great damage.

King of England, if you do not so, I am a commander, and in whatever place in France I come upon your men, I will make them leave it, will they or nill they; and if they will not yield obedience, I will have them all slain. I am sent here from God, King of Heaven, to put you, hand to hand, out of all France. Yet if they will yield obedience, I will grant them mercy.

And think not otherwise: for you shall not hold the Kingdom of France from God, King of Heaven, Saint Mary’s son, but King Charles shall hold it, the true heir. For so God, King of Heaven, wills it; and so it has been revealed to him by the Maid, and he shall enter Paris with a fair company.

If you will not believe this news from God and the Maid, wherever we find you, there we shall strike; and we shall raise such a battle-cry as there has not been in France in a thousand years, if you will not do justice. And know surely that the King of Heaven will send more strength to the Maid than you can bring against her and her good soldiers in any assault. And when the blows begin, it shall be seen whose right is the better before the God of Heaven.

You, Duke of Bedford: The Maid prays and beseeches you not to bring on your own destruction. If you will do her justice, you may yet come in her company there where the French shall do the fairest deed that ever was done for Christendom. So answer if you will make peace in the city of Orléans. And if you do not so, consider your great danger speedily.

Written this Tuesday in Holy Week.