Again exclaim'd the soldier: "Thus they fall, 566 Nor to draw them from the fort Now needed eloquence; with one accord They bade him lead the onset. Forth they rush'd Impetuous. With such fury o'er the plain, Swoln by the autumnal tempest, Vega rolls His rapid waters, when the gathered storm, On the black heights of Hatteril bursting, swells The tide of desolation. Then the Maid 570 Spake to the son of Orleans, "Let our troops As if at the irruption of their foes Bade them secure the gates; then sallying forth, Dunois attack'd their flank. All captainless, Ill-marshall'd, ill-directed, in vain rage They waste their furious efforts, falling fast Of arms and men; the soil, that trampled late 590 By multitudes, sent up its stifling clouds On the fort's summit Talbot mark'd the fight, The troops took flight. 596 Upon the bridge there stood 601 A strong-built tower, commanding o'er the Loire. But mindful of defence: the garrison 605 610 Covering their vanquish'd fellows, pour'd their shafts. Check'd in pursuit they stop. Then Graville cried, "Ill, Maiden, hast thou done! those valiant troops Thy womanish pity has dismiss'd, with us 615 Conjoin'd might press upon the vanquish'd foe, Though aided thus, and plant the lilied flag Victorious on yon tower." “ Dark-minded man!” The Maid of Orleans answer'd, " to act well Brings with itself an ample recompence. I have not rear'd the Oriflamme of death.. 620 Now God forbid! The banner of the Lord To spare the fallen foe: that gracious God 625 Of sway makes them the enemies of man." 630 eyes She said, and suddenly threw off her helm; Her bosom heaved,.. her cheek grew red,.. her Beam'd with a wilder lustre. "Thou dost deem That I have illy spared so large a band, Disabling from pursuit our weaken'd troops;.. 635 God is with us!" she cried.." God is with us! Our champion manifest!" Even as she spake, The tower, the bridge, and all its multitudes, Sunk with a mighty crash. Astonishment Seized on the French; an universal cry 640 Of terror burst from them. Crush'd in the fall, And all who heard trembled, and cross'd their breasts, And as they hasten'd to the city-walls, Told fearfully their beads. 651 'T was now the hour When o'er the plain the fading rays of eve The hoarse rook breathes his melancholy note. Rise with a joyful splendour, while the foe As she spake, they ran 664 To burn the forts; they shower their wild fire there, 670 JOAN OF ARC. THE NINTH BOOK. FAR through the shadowy sky the ascending flames The Maid went forth to conquer. Not a sound 10 Arose, through every fibre a deep fear Crept shivering, and to their expecting minds Who, learning wisdom in the hour of ill, 15 Hath hid his face from England! Wherefore thus Quitting the comforts of domestic life, |