Textbook: Joan of Arc | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


 Joan of Arc
(The war fought between England and France from 
1337 to 1453 has come to be known as the Hundred Years 
War. Joan was a peasant girl born in eastern France, who 
led the French army to several victories during this war.
This play begins at the time when all of northern 
France and some parts of the south-west were under 
foreign control. The English controlled some parts and 
the Burgundians controlled the others. The city of New 
Orleans, one of the few remaining French cities was 
held by the English. The year is 1429. Captain Robert 
de Baudricourt, a military officer is seated at the table. 
His steward stands facing him).
Robert : I told you to throw the girl out. You 
have fifty armed soldiers and dozens of 
strong servants to carry out my orders. 
Are they afraid of her ?
Steward  : No sir, we are afraid of you, but she 
puts courage in us. She really doesn’t 
seem to be afraid of anything. Perhaps 
you could frighten her, sir. 
Robert  : (grimly) Perhaps, where is she now ?
Steward  : Down in the courtyard, sir.
 (Robert goes to the window and asks 
the soldiers to send the girl up.)
(The girl enters. She is a well-built, 
strong country girl of 17 to 18 years. 
The squire’s glare neither frightens her 
nor stops her. She speaks confidently.)
Joan : Good morning, Captain Squire. You 
are to give me a horse and armour 
and some soldiers, and send me to the 
Dauphin.
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish 
playwright and critic. He wrote more than sixty plays during his 
lifetime including major works such as Man and Superman 
(1902), Pygmalion (1912) and Saint Joan (1923). He was the 
leading dramatist of his time. He was awarded the Nobel Prize 
in Literature in 1925.
l grimly : seriously
l squire : a person of
high rank
l armour : protective
clothing of metal
or leather worn in
battles by soldiers in
former times
29
Page 2


 Joan of Arc
(The war fought between England and France from 
1337 to 1453 has come to be known as the Hundred Years 
War. Joan was a peasant girl born in eastern France, who 
led the French army to several victories during this war.
This play begins at the time when all of northern 
France and some parts of the south-west were under 
foreign control. The English controlled some parts and 
the Burgundians controlled the others. The city of New 
Orleans, one of the few remaining French cities was 
held by the English. The year is 1429. Captain Robert 
de Baudricourt, a military officer is seated at the table. 
His steward stands facing him).
Robert : I told you to throw the girl out. You 
have fifty armed soldiers and dozens of 
strong servants to carry out my orders. 
Are they afraid of her ?
Steward  : No sir, we are afraid of you, but she 
puts courage in us. She really doesn’t 
seem to be afraid of anything. Perhaps 
you could frighten her, sir. 
Robert  : (grimly) Perhaps, where is she now ?
Steward  : Down in the courtyard, sir.
 (Robert goes to the window and asks 
the soldiers to send the girl up.)
(The girl enters. She is a well-built, 
strong country girl of 17 to 18 years. 
The squire’s glare neither frightens her 
nor stops her. She speaks confidently.)
Joan : Good morning, Captain Squire. You 
are to give me a horse and armour 
and some soldiers, and send me to the 
Dauphin.
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish 
playwright and critic. He wrote more than sixty plays during his 
lifetime including major works such as Man and Superman 
(1902), Pygmalion (1912) and Saint Joan (1923). He was the 
leading dramatist of his time. He was awarded the Nobel Prize 
in Literature in 1925.
l grimly : seriously
l squire : a person of
high rank
l armour : protective
clothing of metal
or leather worn in
battles by soldiers in
former times
29
30
Robert : This girl is mad. Why didn’t you tell 
me so, you blockhead ?
Steward : Sir, do not anger her. Give her what 
she wants.
Robert : I shall send you back to your father 
with orders to put you under lock and 
key.
Joan : You think you will, squire. But it won’t 
happen that way. You said you would 
not see me. But here I am. 
Robert : So, you are assuming that I’ll give you 
what you want.
Joan : Yes, squire. (Continues busily) A horse 
will cost sixteen francs. It is a big 
amount of money. But I can save it 
on the armour. I don’t need beautiful 
armour made to my measure. I can find 
a soldier’s armour that will fit me well 
enough. I shall not want many soldiers. 
The Dauphin will give me, all I need, 
to free Orleans.
Robert : (Shocked) To free Orleans !
Joan : (Simply) Yes, squire. Three men will be 
enough for you to send with me. Polly 
and Jack have promised to come with 
me.
Robert : You mean Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Joan : Yes, Squire Jack will come willingly. 
He is a very kind gentleman, and gives 
me money to give to the poor. I think 
John Godsave will come, and Dick 
the Archer, and their servants, John of 
Honecourt and Julian. There will be no 
trouble for you, squire. I have arranged 
it all. You have only to give the order.
Robert  : (To the steward) Is this true about 
Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Steward : (Eagerly) Yes, sir, and about Monsieur 
de Metz too. They both want to go with 
her.
Robert  : (Goes to the window, and shouts into 
the court-yard.) Send Monseiur de 
Poulengey to me, will you ? (He turns 
l Dauphin : the oldest
son of the King of 
France, the one who 
would become the 
king after his father
l Monsieur : French
word for Mr.
l assuming : taking for
granted
l blockhead : a stupid
person
ö ? Why had Joan wanted 
to meet Captain 
squire ?
ö ? Name the persons 
who Joan needed to 
free Orleans.
Page 3


 Joan of Arc
(The war fought between England and France from 
1337 to 1453 has come to be known as the Hundred Years 
War. Joan was a peasant girl born in eastern France, who 
led the French army to several victories during this war.
This play begins at the time when all of northern 
France and some parts of the south-west were under 
foreign control. The English controlled some parts and 
the Burgundians controlled the others. The city of New 
Orleans, one of the few remaining French cities was 
held by the English. The year is 1429. Captain Robert 
de Baudricourt, a military officer is seated at the table. 
His steward stands facing him).
Robert : I told you to throw the girl out. You 
have fifty armed soldiers and dozens of 
strong servants to carry out my orders. 
Are they afraid of her ?
Steward  : No sir, we are afraid of you, but she 
puts courage in us. She really doesn’t 
seem to be afraid of anything. Perhaps 
you could frighten her, sir. 
Robert  : (grimly) Perhaps, where is she now ?
Steward  : Down in the courtyard, sir.
 (Robert goes to the window and asks 
the soldiers to send the girl up.)
(The girl enters. She is a well-built, 
strong country girl of 17 to 18 years. 
The squire’s glare neither frightens her 
nor stops her. She speaks confidently.)
Joan : Good morning, Captain Squire. You 
are to give me a horse and armour 
and some soldiers, and send me to the 
Dauphin.
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish 
playwright and critic. He wrote more than sixty plays during his 
lifetime including major works such as Man and Superman 
(1902), Pygmalion (1912) and Saint Joan (1923). He was the 
leading dramatist of his time. He was awarded the Nobel Prize 
in Literature in 1925.
l grimly : seriously
l squire : a person of
high rank
l armour : protective
clothing of metal
or leather worn in
battles by soldiers in
former times
29
30
Robert : This girl is mad. Why didn’t you tell 
me so, you blockhead ?
Steward : Sir, do not anger her. Give her what 
she wants.
Robert : I shall send you back to your father 
with orders to put you under lock and 
key.
Joan : You think you will, squire. But it won’t 
happen that way. You said you would 
not see me. But here I am. 
Robert : So, you are assuming that I’ll give you 
what you want.
Joan : Yes, squire. (Continues busily) A horse 
will cost sixteen francs. It is a big 
amount of money. But I can save it 
on the armour. I don’t need beautiful 
armour made to my measure. I can find 
a soldier’s armour that will fit me well 
enough. I shall not want many soldiers. 
The Dauphin will give me, all I need, 
to free Orleans.
Robert : (Shocked) To free Orleans !
Joan : (Simply) Yes, squire. Three men will be 
enough for you to send with me. Polly 
and Jack have promised to come with 
me.
Robert : You mean Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Joan : Yes, Squire Jack will come willingly. 
He is a very kind gentleman, and gives 
me money to give to the poor. I think 
John Godsave will come, and Dick 
the Archer, and their servants, John of 
Honecourt and Julian. There will be no 
trouble for you, squire. I have arranged 
it all. You have only to give the order.
Robert  : (To the steward) Is this true about 
Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Steward : (Eagerly) Yes, sir, and about Monsieur 
de Metz too. They both want to go with 
her.
Robert  : (Goes to the window, and shouts into 
the court-yard.) Send Monseiur de 
Poulengey to me, will you ? (He turns 
l Dauphin : the oldest
son of the King of 
France, the one who 
would become the 
king after his father
l Monsieur : French
word for Mr.
l assuming : taking for
granted
l blockhead : a stupid
person
ö ? Why had Joan wanted 
to meet Captain 
squire ?
ö ? Name the persons 
who Joan needed to 
free Orleans.
 to Joan) Get out and wait in the yard.
Joan : (Smiling brightly at him) Right, squire. 
(She goes out).
Robert  : (To the steward) Go with her. Stay 
within call and keep your eye on her. 
I shall have her up here again. 
 (The steward retreats hastily. Bertrand 
de Poulengey, a French guard, enters, 
salutes and stands waiting.)
Robert  : She says you, Jack and Dick have 
offered to go with her. What for ? Do 
you take her crazy idea of going to the 
Dauphin seriously ?
Poulengey  : (Slowly) There is something about her. 
It may be worth trying.
Robert  : Oh, come on Polly ! You must be out 
of your mind !
Poulengey  : (Unmoved) What is wrong with it ? The 
Dauphin is in Chinon, like a rat in a 
corner, except that he won’t fight. The 
English will take Orleans. He’ll not be 
able to stop them.
Robert : He beat the English the year before last 
at Montargis. I was with him.
Poulengey  : But his men are cowed and now he 
can’t work miracles. And I tell you that 
nothing can save our side now but a 
miracle.
Robert : Miracles are alright, Polly. The only 
difficulty about them is that they don’t 
happen nowadays.
Poulengey  : I used to think so. I’m not so sure now. 
There is something about her. I think 
the girl herself is a bit of a miracle. 
Anyhow, this is our last chance. Let’s 
see what she can do.
Robert  : (Wavering) You really think that ?
Poulengey  : (Turning) Is there anything else left for 
us to think ? Let’s take a chance. Her 
words have put fire into me.
Robert  : (Giving up) Whew ! You’re as mad as 
she is.
l Chinon : one of the
cities in France where
Royal family resided.
During the Hundred
Years War, the
Dauphin took refuge
in Chinon.
l retreats hastily :
moves away in a
hurry
l cowed : frightened
ö? Was the Dauphin fit 
to be a Prince and 
heir ?
ö? What was the 
squire’s opinion about 
miracles ?
l have put fire into
me : have inspired or
motivated
l wavering : hesitating
31
Page 4


 Joan of Arc
(The war fought between England and France from 
1337 to 1453 has come to be known as the Hundred Years 
War. Joan was a peasant girl born in eastern France, who 
led the French army to several victories during this war.
This play begins at the time when all of northern 
France and some parts of the south-west were under 
foreign control. The English controlled some parts and 
the Burgundians controlled the others. The city of New 
Orleans, one of the few remaining French cities was 
held by the English. The year is 1429. Captain Robert 
de Baudricourt, a military officer is seated at the table. 
His steward stands facing him).
Robert : I told you to throw the girl out. You 
have fifty armed soldiers and dozens of 
strong servants to carry out my orders. 
Are they afraid of her ?
Steward  : No sir, we are afraid of you, but she 
puts courage in us. She really doesn’t 
seem to be afraid of anything. Perhaps 
you could frighten her, sir. 
Robert  : (grimly) Perhaps, where is she now ?
Steward  : Down in the courtyard, sir.
 (Robert goes to the window and asks 
the soldiers to send the girl up.)
(The girl enters. She is a well-built, 
strong country girl of 17 to 18 years. 
The squire’s glare neither frightens her 
nor stops her. She speaks confidently.)
Joan : Good morning, Captain Squire. You 
are to give me a horse and armour 
and some soldiers, and send me to the 
Dauphin.
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish 
playwright and critic. He wrote more than sixty plays during his 
lifetime including major works such as Man and Superman 
(1902), Pygmalion (1912) and Saint Joan (1923). He was the 
leading dramatist of his time. He was awarded the Nobel Prize 
in Literature in 1925.
l grimly : seriously
l squire : a person of
high rank
l armour : protective
clothing of metal
or leather worn in
battles by soldiers in
former times
29
30
Robert : This girl is mad. Why didn’t you tell 
me so, you blockhead ?
Steward : Sir, do not anger her. Give her what 
she wants.
Robert : I shall send you back to your father 
with orders to put you under lock and 
key.
Joan : You think you will, squire. But it won’t 
happen that way. You said you would 
not see me. But here I am. 
Robert : So, you are assuming that I’ll give you 
what you want.
Joan : Yes, squire. (Continues busily) A horse 
will cost sixteen francs. It is a big 
amount of money. But I can save it 
on the armour. I don’t need beautiful 
armour made to my measure. I can find 
a soldier’s armour that will fit me well 
enough. I shall not want many soldiers. 
The Dauphin will give me, all I need, 
to free Orleans.
Robert : (Shocked) To free Orleans !
Joan : (Simply) Yes, squire. Three men will be 
enough for you to send with me. Polly 
and Jack have promised to come with 
me.
Robert : You mean Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Joan : Yes, Squire Jack will come willingly. 
He is a very kind gentleman, and gives 
me money to give to the poor. I think 
John Godsave will come, and Dick 
the Archer, and their servants, John of 
Honecourt and Julian. There will be no 
trouble for you, squire. I have arranged 
it all. You have only to give the order.
Robert  : (To the steward) Is this true about 
Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Steward : (Eagerly) Yes, sir, and about Monsieur 
de Metz too. They both want to go with 
her.
Robert  : (Goes to the window, and shouts into 
the court-yard.) Send Monseiur de 
Poulengey to me, will you ? (He turns 
l Dauphin : the oldest
son of the King of 
France, the one who 
would become the 
king after his father
l Monsieur : French
word for Mr.
l assuming : taking for
granted
l blockhead : a stupid
person
ö ? Why had Joan wanted 
to meet Captain 
squire ?
ö ? Name the persons 
who Joan needed to 
free Orleans.
 to Joan) Get out and wait in the yard.
Joan : (Smiling brightly at him) Right, squire. 
(She goes out).
Robert  : (To the steward) Go with her. Stay 
within call and keep your eye on her. 
I shall have her up here again. 
 (The steward retreats hastily. Bertrand 
de Poulengey, a French guard, enters, 
salutes and stands waiting.)
Robert  : She says you, Jack and Dick have 
offered to go with her. What for ? Do 
you take her crazy idea of going to the 
Dauphin seriously ?
Poulengey  : (Slowly) There is something about her. 
It may be worth trying.
Robert  : Oh, come on Polly ! You must be out 
of your mind !
Poulengey  : (Unmoved) What is wrong with it ? The 
Dauphin is in Chinon, like a rat in a 
corner, except that he won’t fight. The 
English will take Orleans. He’ll not be 
able to stop them.
Robert : He beat the English the year before last 
at Montargis. I was with him.
Poulengey  : But his men are cowed and now he 
can’t work miracles. And I tell you that 
nothing can save our side now but a 
miracle.
Robert : Miracles are alright, Polly. The only 
difficulty about them is that they don’t 
happen nowadays.
Poulengey  : I used to think so. I’m not so sure now. 
There is something about her. I think 
the girl herself is a bit of a miracle. 
Anyhow, this is our last chance. Let’s 
see what she can do.
Robert  : (Wavering) You really think that ?
Poulengey  : (Turning) Is there anything else left for 
us to think ? Let’s take a chance. Her 
words have put fire into me.
Robert  : (Giving up) Whew ! You’re as mad as 
she is.
l Chinon : one of the
cities in France where
Royal family resided.
During the Hundred
Years War, the
Dauphin took refuge
in Chinon.
l retreats hastily :
moves away in a
hurry
l cowed : frightened
ö? Was the Dauphin fit 
to be a Prince and 
heir ?
ö? What was the 
squire’s opinion about 
miracles ?
l have put fire into
me : have inspired or
motivated
l wavering : hesitating
31
Poulengey : (Obstinately) We want a few mad 
people now. See where the same ones 
have landed us !
Robert : I feel like a fool. Still, if you feel 
sure... ?
Poulengey  : I feel sure enough to take her to Chinon 
unless you stop me.
Robert : Do you think I ought to have another 
talk with her ?
Poulengey : (Going to the window) Yes ! Joan, come 
up.
 (Joan enters)
Poulengey : (Gravely) Be seated, Joan. 
Robert : What is your name ?
Joan : They always called me Jenny in 
Lorraine. Here in France, I am Joan. 
The soldiers call me the Maid.
Robert : How old are you ?
Joan : Seventeen, so they tell me. It might be 
nineteen. I don’t remember.
Robert : I suppose you think raising a siege 
is as easy as chasing a cow out of 
a meadow. You think soldiering is 
anybody’s job ?
Joan : I don’t think it can be very difficult if 
God is on your side.
Robert : (Grimly) Have you ever seen English 
soldiers fighting ? Have you ever seen 
them plundering, burning, turning the 
countryside into a desert ? Have you 
heard no tales of their prince who is 
the devil himself, or of the English 
king’s father ?
Joan : You do not understand, squire. Our 
soldiers are always beaten because they 
are fighting only to save their skins 
and the shortest way to save your skin 
is to run away. But I will teach them 
all to fight for France. Then, they will 
drive the soldiers before them like 
sheep. You and Polly will live to see 
the day when there will not be a single 
l obstinately : in a
stubborn and firm
manner
l gravely : seriously
l raising a siege :
surround from all
sides and attack
removing the forces
surrounding a place
l plundering : looting
ö? What did Robert 
accuse Poulengey of ?
ö ? What shows Joan is 
a person of immense 
faith ?
l to save their
skins : to save their
lives
ö ? Why were the French 
soldiers always 
beaten ?
32
Page 5


 Joan of Arc
(The war fought between England and France from 
1337 to 1453 has come to be known as the Hundred Years 
War. Joan was a peasant girl born in eastern France, who 
led the French army to several victories during this war.
This play begins at the time when all of northern 
France and some parts of the south-west were under 
foreign control. The English controlled some parts and 
the Burgundians controlled the others. The city of New 
Orleans, one of the few remaining French cities was 
held by the English. The year is 1429. Captain Robert 
de Baudricourt, a military officer is seated at the table. 
His steward stands facing him).
Robert : I told you to throw the girl out. You 
have fifty armed soldiers and dozens of 
strong servants to carry out my orders. 
Are they afraid of her ?
Steward  : No sir, we are afraid of you, but she 
puts courage in us. She really doesn’t 
seem to be afraid of anything. Perhaps 
you could frighten her, sir. 
Robert  : (grimly) Perhaps, where is she now ?
Steward  : Down in the courtyard, sir.
 (Robert goes to the window and asks 
the soldiers to send the girl up.)
(The girl enters. She is a well-built, 
strong country girl of 17 to 18 years. 
The squire’s glare neither frightens her 
nor stops her. She speaks confidently.)
Joan : Good morning, Captain Squire. You 
are to give me a horse and armour 
and some soldiers, and send me to the 
Dauphin.
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish 
playwright and critic. He wrote more than sixty plays during his 
lifetime including major works such as Man and Superman 
(1902), Pygmalion (1912) and Saint Joan (1923). He was the 
leading dramatist of his time. He was awarded the Nobel Prize 
in Literature in 1925.
l grimly : seriously
l squire : a person of
high rank
l armour : protective
clothing of metal
or leather worn in
battles by soldiers in
former times
29
30
Robert : This girl is mad. Why didn’t you tell 
me so, you blockhead ?
Steward : Sir, do not anger her. Give her what 
she wants.
Robert : I shall send you back to your father 
with orders to put you under lock and 
key.
Joan : You think you will, squire. But it won’t 
happen that way. You said you would 
not see me. But here I am. 
Robert : So, you are assuming that I’ll give you 
what you want.
Joan : Yes, squire. (Continues busily) A horse 
will cost sixteen francs. It is a big 
amount of money. But I can save it 
on the armour. I don’t need beautiful 
armour made to my measure. I can find 
a soldier’s armour that will fit me well 
enough. I shall not want many soldiers. 
The Dauphin will give me, all I need, 
to free Orleans.
Robert : (Shocked) To free Orleans !
Joan : (Simply) Yes, squire. Three men will be 
enough for you to send with me. Polly 
and Jack have promised to come with 
me.
Robert : You mean Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Joan : Yes, Squire Jack will come willingly. 
He is a very kind gentleman, and gives 
me money to give to the poor. I think 
John Godsave will come, and Dick 
the Archer, and their servants, John of 
Honecourt and Julian. There will be no 
trouble for you, squire. I have arranged 
it all. You have only to give the order.
Robert  : (To the steward) Is this true about 
Monsieur de Poulengey ?
Steward : (Eagerly) Yes, sir, and about Monsieur 
de Metz too. They both want to go with 
her.
Robert  : (Goes to the window, and shouts into 
the court-yard.) Send Monseiur de 
Poulengey to me, will you ? (He turns 
l Dauphin : the oldest
son of the King of 
France, the one who 
would become the 
king after his father
l Monsieur : French
word for Mr.
l assuming : taking for
granted
l blockhead : a stupid
person
ö ? Why had Joan wanted 
to meet Captain 
squire ?
ö ? Name the persons 
who Joan needed to 
free Orleans.
 to Joan) Get out and wait in the yard.
Joan : (Smiling brightly at him) Right, squire. 
(She goes out).
Robert  : (To the steward) Go with her. Stay 
within call and keep your eye on her. 
I shall have her up here again. 
 (The steward retreats hastily. Bertrand 
de Poulengey, a French guard, enters, 
salutes and stands waiting.)
Robert  : She says you, Jack and Dick have 
offered to go with her. What for ? Do 
you take her crazy idea of going to the 
Dauphin seriously ?
Poulengey  : (Slowly) There is something about her. 
It may be worth trying.
Robert  : Oh, come on Polly ! You must be out 
of your mind !
Poulengey  : (Unmoved) What is wrong with it ? The 
Dauphin is in Chinon, like a rat in a 
corner, except that he won’t fight. The 
English will take Orleans. He’ll not be 
able to stop them.
Robert : He beat the English the year before last 
at Montargis. I was with him.
Poulengey  : But his men are cowed and now he 
can’t work miracles. And I tell you that 
nothing can save our side now but a 
miracle.
Robert : Miracles are alright, Polly. The only 
difficulty about them is that they don’t 
happen nowadays.
Poulengey  : I used to think so. I’m not so sure now. 
There is something about her. I think 
the girl herself is a bit of a miracle. 
Anyhow, this is our last chance. Let’s 
see what she can do.
Robert  : (Wavering) You really think that ?
Poulengey  : (Turning) Is there anything else left for 
us to think ? Let’s take a chance. Her 
words have put fire into me.
Robert  : (Giving up) Whew ! You’re as mad as 
she is.
l Chinon : one of the
cities in France where
Royal family resided.
During the Hundred
Years War, the
Dauphin took refuge
in Chinon.
l retreats hastily :
moves away in a
hurry
l cowed : frightened
ö? Was the Dauphin fit 
to be a Prince and 
heir ?
ö? What was the 
squire’s opinion about 
miracles ?
l have put fire into
me : have inspired or
motivated
l wavering : hesitating
31
Poulengey : (Obstinately) We want a few mad 
people now. See where the same ones 
have landed us !
Robert : I feel like a fool. Still, if you feel 
sure... ?
Poulengey  : I feel sure enough to take her to Chinon 
unless you stop me.
Robert : Do you think I ought to have another 
talk with her ?
Poulengey : (Going to the window) Yes ! Joan, come 
up.
 (Joan enters)
Poulengey : (Gravely) Be seated, Joan. 
Robert : What is your name ?
Joan : They always called me Jenny in 
Lorraine. Here in France, I am Joan. 
The soldiers call me the Maid.
Robert : How old are you ?
Joan : Seventeen, so they tell me. It might be 
nineteen. I don’t remember.
Robert : I suppose you think raising a siege 
is as easy as chasing a cow out of 
a meadow. You think soldiering is 
anybody’s job ?
Joan : I don’t think it can be very difficult if 
God is on your side.
Robert : (Grimly) Have you ever seen English 
soldiers fighting ? Have you ever seen 
them plundering, burning, turning the 
countryside into a desert ? Have you 
heard no tales of their prince who is 
the devil himself, or of the English 
king’s father ?
Joan : You do not understand, squire. Our 
soldiers are always beaten because they 
are fighting only to save their skins 
and the shortest way to save your skin 
is to run away. But I will teach them 
all to fight for France. Then, they will 
drive the soldiers before them like 
sheep. You and Polly will live to see 
the day when there will not be a single 
l obstinately : in a
stubborn and firm
manner
l gravely : seriously
l raising a siege :
surround from all
sides and attack
removing the forces
surrounding a place
l plundering : looting
ö? What did Robert 
accuse Poulengey of ?
ö ? What shows Joan is 
a person of immense 
faith ?
l to save their
skins : to save their
lives
ö ? Why were the French 
soldiers always 
beaten ?
32
English soldier on the soil of France.
Robert  : (To Poulengey) This may all be 
nonsense, Polly. But the troops might 
just be inspired by it though nothing 
that we say seems to put any fire into 
them. Even the Dauphin might believe 
it. And if she can put some fight into 
him, she can put it into anybody.
Robert  : (Turning to Joan) Now you, listen to 
me and don’t cut in before I have time 
to think. Your orders are that you are 
to go to Chinon under the escort of this 
gentleman and three of his friends.
Joan  : (Radiant, clasping her hands) Oh, thank 
you, squire !
Poulengey : How is she to get into the royal 
presence ?
Robert  : I don’t know. How did she get into my 
presence ? I will send her to Chinon and 
she can say I sent her. Then, let come 
what may. I can do no more. 
Joan  : And the dress ? I may have a soldier’s 
dress, squire ?
Robert  : Take what you please. I wash my 
hands off it.
Joan  : (Wildly excited by her success) Come, 
Polly. (She dashes out.)
Robert  : (Shaking Poulengey’s hand) Goodbye, 
old man, I am taking a big chance. 
Few other men would have done it. But 
as you say, there is something about 
her. 
Poulengey : Yes, there is something about her. 
Goodbye.
l ?let come what 
 may : let anything 
happen
l ?wash one’s hands 
off it : not take any 
responsibility for it
ö? What dress did Joan 
want ?
ö? What made Robert 
finally agree to the 
plan ?
- George Bernard Shaw
33