When every bodily sense is as it slept, And the mind alone is wakeful. I have heard 469 The neighbours wonder'd at the sudden change, A heaviness upon his aged brow, 475 And in his eye such sorrow, that my heart "At length I heard of Orleans, by the foe 480 485 "There is a fountain in the forest call'd 490 The Fountain of the Fairies: when a child Tales of the Elfin tribe who on its banks 495 It ever hath been deem'd their favourite tree, 499 And bask in moonshine. Here the Woodman leads His boy, and shewing him the green-sward mark'd With darker circlets, says their midnight dance Hath traced the rings, and bids him spare the tree. Fancy had cast a spell upon the place 505 Which made it holy; and the villagers Ceased not in riper years; and now it woke "A blessed spot! Oh how my soul enjoy'd 510 515 And there I sat, and mark'd the deep red clouds Swept o'er the wood. Methought the thunder-shower And the hoarse dash of waters, and the rush The glory of the tempest fill'd my soul; 525 And when the thunders peal'd, and the long flash Hung durable in heaven, and on my sight 529 Spread the grey forest, memory, thought, were gone, All sense of self annihilate, I seem'd Diffused into the scene. "At length a light Approach'd the spring; I saw my Uncle Claude; His grey locks dripping with the midnight storm, He came, and caught me in his arms, and cried My God! my child is safe! "I felt his words Pierce in my heart; my soul was overcharged; And he believed. 538 66 Aye, Chieftain! and the world Shall soon believe my mission; for the LORD Will raise up indignation and pour on't His wrath, and they shall perish who oppress." JOAN OF ARC. THE SECOND BOOK. AND now beneath the horizon westering slow A purple softness spread, save where some tree A grateful coolness freshen'd the calm air, 16 His evening seat; they of the plain repast 25 "Strangers, your fare is homely," said their Host, "But such it is as we poor countrymen Earn with our toil: in faith ye are welcome to it! I too have borne a lance in younger days; And would that I were young again to meet These haughty English in the field of fight; Such as I was when on the fatal plain Of Agincourt I met them. "Wert thou then A sharer in that dreadful day's defeat?" 30 Exclaim'd the Bastard: " Didst thou know the Lord Of Orleans?" "Know him?" cried the veteran, "I saw him ere the bloody fight began 35 Riding from rank to rank, his beaver up, The long lance quivering in his mighty grasp. But for his countrymen it had a smile 39 Would win all hearts. Looking at thee, Sir Knight, Methinks I see him now; such was his eye, Gentle in peace, and such his manly brow." "No tongue but speaketh honour of that name!" The pilgrim when he saw his towers rejoiced, 45 |