"Good my Lord, I come With a strange tale; I pray you pardon me If it should seem impertinent, and like 30 I, Sirs, do think that there is more in this. My silly speech doth wrong it." While he spake, Curious they mark'd the Damsel. She appear'd Of eighteen years; there was no bloom of youth Upon her cheek, yet had the loveliest hues Of health with lesser fascination fix'd The gazer's eye; for wan the Maiden was, Of saintly paleness, and there seem'd to dwell In the strong beauties of her countenance Something that was not earthly. "I have heard Of this your niece's malady," replied 40 45 50 The Lord of Vaucouleur, "that she frequents So as Sir Robert ceased, the Maiden cried, "I am not mad. Possess'd indeed I am! soul, The hand of God is strong upon my And I have wrestled vainly with the LORD, And stubbornly, I fear me. I can save This country, Sir! I can deliver France! 55 60 64 Yea..I must save the country!.. GOD is in me; And whatso HE commands, that I must speak; 70 At the first With pity or with scorn Dunois had heard 75 "Damsel!" said the Chief, " methinks Haply of some ill Spirit prompting thee To self destruction." 80 "Doubt!" the Maid exclaim'd, It were as easy when I gaze around On all this fair variety of things, 85 Green fields and tufted woods, and the blue depth Felt in the midnight silence of my soul The call of GOD." 89 They listen'd to the Maid, And they almost believed. Then spake Dunois, "Wilt thou go with me, Maiden, to the King, And there announce thy mission?" thus he said, Within him, and his faith, yet unconfirm❜d, 95 "Therefore I sought the Lord of Vaucouleur, 100 Then Dunois address'd 105 Sir Robert, "Fare thee well, my friend and host! It were ill done to linger here when Heaven Vouchsafes such strange assistance. Let what force Lorraine can raise to Chinon follow us; And with the tidings of this holy Maid, Sent by the LORD, fill thou the country; soon "GOD's blessing go with ye!" exclaim'd old Claude, "Good Angels guard my girl!" and as he spake The tears stream'd fast adown his aged cheeks. "And if I do not live to see thee more, yet sometimes As sure I think I shall not, But God be with thee, Child!" 115 121 125 Nor was the Maid, Though all subdued of soul, untroubled now In that sad parting; . . but she calm'd herself, Painfully keeping down her heart, and said, "Comfort thyself, my Uncle, with the thought Of what I am, and for what enterprize Chosen from among the people. Oh! be sure I shall remember thee, in whom I found A parent's love, when parents were unkind! And when the ominous broodings of my soul Were scoff'd and made a mock of by all else, Thou for thy love didst hear me and believe. Shall I forget these things?"... By this Dunois Had arm'd, the steeds stood ready at the gate. But then she fell upon the old man's neck And cried, "Pray for me!..I shall need thy prayers! Pray for me, that I fail not in my hour!" Thereat awhile, as if some aweful thought Had overpower'd her, on his neck she hung; 130 134 Then rising with flush'd cheek and kindling eye, 141 144 Be this thy comfort!" The old man received So on they went, And now along the mountain's winding path Upward they journey'd slow, and now they paused And gazed where o'er the plain the stately towers Of Vaucouleur arose, in distance seen, 150 Dark and distinct; below its castled height, Through fair and fertile pastures, the deep Meuse Domremi's cottages Roll'd glittering on. Gleam'd in the sun hard by, white cottages, 155 160 Now form'd a mass of shade. The distant plain The Maiden gazed Till all grew dim upon her dizzy eye. "Oh what a blessed world were this!" she cried, |