Exhausted by
A dangerous ride
Unperceived
In coldest winter´s night
Through hostile territory
Danger all around
No place to hide
No shelter to be found
At last we see the mighty castle of Chinon
(We´re) reaching finally the drawbridge to the court
Guards in arms observe
Every move we make
(Their) furtive glances follow us
incessantly
As behind the wall
The glow of sunset light
A tiny evening bell
heralds the nearing night
escorted by some guards
we´re crossing through the yard
a festive roar
is sounding from afar
chants and laughter everywhere
dissipated in the air
The festive mood dies down
As Jeanne enters the room of celebration
No noise is breaking the silence
While the virgin of Lorraine glides across the room
Only the crackle of the fireplace is still audible
And anticipation fills the air
Instead of the Dauphin Charles, who observes the scene from amidst the crowd of his courtiers, the Duke of Bourbon has taken his place on the throne to welcome her.
They prepared the deceit to find out if she is really guided by God.
The tension grows with every step
The Duke requests her desire but instead of answering him
She turns away (without a single word)
Silently crossing the throne hall, her vivid eyes roaming the congregation –
her step full of purpose she approaches a group by the fire place gathered around the Dauphin (to accomplish the deceit.)
A whispered murmur rises in the room
A collective exclamation of amazement breaks the silence
As Jeanne finally kneels in front of the true king.
Jeanne speaks to the Dauphin Charles:
“Noble Dauphin, only for you, and to bring you help, have I undertaken the long journey
hither. Why do you deceive me? No one else can take your place. God speaks to you
through me. It is his will that you, as the rightful heir to the throne, become the anointed
king of France. God send me to do this. Let me drive the enemy from our country and lead
you to Reims to your consecration. But first send me with an army to Orléans to end the siege of that beleaguered city and clear the path to your coronation.“
Dauphin Charles: “Though I may trust your spoken word, Jeanne – the church must first examine you”
Board of Examiners in Poitiers :
“Eliminate all doubts
We need to know the truth
If God´s your guiding hand
Show us a miracle
Tell us about
Your revelation
To help us find out
If all you say is real
We need some proof of your virginity
That you´re the chosen one
To free our suffering land
Why should almighty God
Need warriours in this war
Out on the battlefields
to gain our liberty ”
Jeanne: “The soldiers shall fight and God will give us our victory”
Chinon