_A Foreigner's Tribute to Joan of Arc_
Joan of Arc, worn out by the suffering that was thrust upon
her, nevertheless appeared with a brave mien before the Bishop
of Beauvais. She knew, had always known that she must die when
her mission was fulfilled and death held no terrors for her.
To all the bishop's questions she answered firmly and without
hesitation. The bishop failed to confuse her and at last
condemned her to death for heresy, bidding her recant if she
would live. She refused and was lead to prison, from there to
death.
While the flames were writhing around her she bade the old
bishop who stood by her to move away or he would be injured.
Her last thought was of others and De Quincy says, that recant
was no more in her mind than on her lips. She died as she
lived, with a prayer on her lips and listening to the voices
that had whispered to her so often.
The heroism of Joan of Arc was wonderful. We do not know what
form her great patriotism took or how far it really led her.
She spoke of hearing voices and of seeing visions. We only
know that she resolved to save her country, knowing though she
did so, it would cost her her life. Yet she never hesitated.
She was uneducated save for the lessons taught her by nature.
Yet she led armies and crowned the dauphin, king of France.
She was only a girl, yet she could silence a great bishop by
words that came from her heart and from her faith. She was
only a woman, yet she could die as bravely as any martyr who
had gone before.
The following compositions have been evaluated by Professor Thorndike,
and may be used to supplement the scale given above.