CHARLES. If we go to Rheims, and have a coronation, Anne will want new dresses. We cant afford them. I am all right as I am. JOAN. As you are! And what is that? Less than my father’s poorest shepherd. Thourt not lawful owner of thy own land of France till thou be consecrated. CHARLES. But I shall not be lawful owner of my own land anyhow. Will the consecration pay off my mortgages? I have pledged my last acre to the Archbishop and that fat bully. I owe money even to Bluebeard. JOAN [_earnestly_] Charlie: I come from the land, and have gotten my strength working on the land; and I tell thee that the land is thine to rule righteously and keep God’s peace in, and not to pledge at the pawnshop as a drunken woman pledges her children’s clothes. And I come from God to tell thee to kneel in the cathedral and solemnly give thy kingdom to Him for ever and ever, and become the greatest king in the world as His steward and His bailiff, His soldier and His servant. The very clay of France will become holy: her soldiers will be the soldiers of God: the rebel dukes will be rebels against God: the English will fall on their knees and beg thee let them return to their lawful homes in peace. Wilt be a poor little Judas, and betray me and Him that sent me? CHARLES [_tempted at last_] Oh, if I only dare! JOAN. I shall dare, dare, and dare again, in God’s name! Art for or against me? CHARLES [_excited_] I’ll risk it. I warn you I shant be able to keep it up; but I’ll risk it. You shall see. [_Running to the main door and shouting_] Hallo! Come back, everybody. [_To Joan, as he runs back to the arch opposite_] Mind you stand by and dont let me be bullied. [_Through the arch_] Come along, will you: the whole Court. [_He sits down in the royal chair as they all hurry in to their former places, chattering and wondering_]. Now I’m in for it; but no matter: here goes! [_To the page_] Call for silence, you little beast, will you? THE PAGE [_snatching a halberd as before and thumping with it repeatedly_] Silence for His Majesty the King. The King speaks. [_Peremptorily_] Will you be silent there? [_Silence_]. CHARLES [_rising_] I have given the command of the army to The Maid. The Maid is to do as she likes with it. [_He descends from the dais_]. _General amazement. La Hire, delighted, slaps his steel thigh-piece with his gauntlet._ LA TRÉMOUILLE [_turning threateningly towards Charles_] What is this? _I_ command the army. JOAN [_quickly puts her hand on Charles’s shoulder as he instinctively recoils_] ! CHARLES [_with a grotesque effort, culminating in an extravagant gesture, snaps his fingers in the Chamberlain’s face_] ! JOAN. Thourt answered, old Gruff-and-Grum. [_Suddenly flashing out her sword as she divines that her moment has come_] Who is for God and His Maid? Who is for Orleans with me? LA HIRE [_carried away, drawing also_] For God and His Maid! To Orleans! ALL THE KNIGHTS [_following his lead with enthusiasm_] To Orleans!