NOTE While it may seem impossible to credit all the triumphs attributed to Joan of Arc, yet upon the basis of authentic history, one must conclude that she was one of the most wonderful beings of modern times and the greatest young woman the world has known one of those inspired of God and raised up f or the purpose achieved. To charge her cruel treatment to the Catholic churchthe only church existent in those dark, tragic times-would be unfair. For men like Winchester of England and Cauchon of France were not fair representatives of the church of even those distant, brutal days. And it must be remembered that the same church afterwards reversed the sentence of the holy court and denounced the men who pronounced it. Indeed, the Catholic world has exceeded the Protestant in its denunciation of the trial and martyrdom of the holy Maid and the church has sainted her to its honor and praise. PART I1 LEADING CHARACTERS IN THE RECITAL JOAN OF ARC JOAN OF ARC PART I There seemed to be no hope for bleeding France-The hosts of Britain were entrenched within Her gates, ker strongholds in their iron grasp Her dauphin, Charles, erroneously called King, A hunted fugitive, concealed away The ancient crown of Dagobert soon to Adorn a foreign brow, and dying France To live, if live at all, the vassalage Of that proud, wicked King and hated power. Shall such indeed become the fate of France Shall her brave sons surrender to the foe And live without a nation or a name 0 wretched people in thy sorry plight No army, standing, leadership, or means. The powerful enemy at Orleans gates. 0 scattered, trembling sheep midst ravening wolves Alas what hope for thee, so shamefully Betrayed and sold by coward leaders in Exchange for Britains honors and her gold From human standpoint, not a hope for France From any other, she would look for none. Far of in lone Domremy of Lorraine, A gentk maid was watching oer herjlock. In deep distress of soul for stricken France, The maid betook her to the Druid Tree. Her life was pure and sweet and lovely, like To the fragrant clover neath her feet Gentle and blameless, as the lambs she led. Awayd in simple garb of shepherdess,