Pierced to her neck, and tinged its point with blood. «She bleeds! she bleeds!» exulting cried the Chief; «The sorceress bleeds! nor all her hellish arts Can charm my arrows from their destined course.»> Ill-fated man! in vain with murderous hand Placing thy feather'd quarrel in its groove, Dream'st thou of JOAN subdued! She from her neck Plucking the shaft unterrified, exclaim'd,
<< This is a favour! 151 Frenchmen, let us on! Escape they cannot from the hand of God!» But Conrade, rolling round his angry eyes, Beheld the English Chieftain as he aim'd Again the bow: with rapid step he strode; Nor did not Glacidas the Frank perceive; At him he drew the string: the powerless dart Fell blunted from his buckler. Fierce he came, And lifting high his ponderous battle-axe, Full on his shoulder drove the furious stroke, Deep buried in his bosom: prone he fell, The cold air rush'd upon his heaving heart. One whose low lineage gave no second name Was Glacidas, 152 a gallant man, and still His memory in the records of the foe Survives.
And now, dishearten'd at his death, The vanquish'd English fly towards the gate, Seeking the inner court. 153 as vet in hope Again to dare the siege, and with their friends Find present refuge there. Mistaken men! The vanquish'd have no friends! Defeated thus, Press'd by pursuit, in vain with eager voice They call their comrades in the suppliant tones Of pity now, now with the bitter curse Of fruitless anger; they indeed within Fast from the ramparts on the victor troops Hurl their keen javelins...but the gate is barr'd... The huge portcullis down!
Then terror seized Their hopeless hearts: some, furious in despair, Turn on their foes; fear-palsied some await The coming death; some drop the useless sword, And cry for mercy.
Then the Maid of Arc Had pity on the vanquish'd; and she call'd Aloud, and cried unto the host of France, And bade them cease from slaughter. They obey'd The delegated Damsel. Some there were Apart who communed murmuring, and of those Graville address'd her: « Mission'd Maid! our troops Are few in number; and to well secure These many prisoners such a force demands, As should we spare might shortly make us need The mercy we bestow; not mercy then, Rather to these our soldiers, cruelty.
Justice to them, to France, and to our King, And that regard wise Nature hath in each Implanted of self-safety, all demand Their deaths.>>
«Foul fall such evil policy'» The indignant Maid exclaim'd. « I tell thee, Chief. GOD is with us! but God shall hide his face From him who sheds one drop of human blood In calm cold-hearted wisdom; him who weighs The right and the expedient, and resolves, Just as the well-poised scale shall rise or fall. These men shall live, live to be happy, Chief,
And in the latest hour of life shall bless Us who preserved. What is the conqueror's name, Compared to this when the death-hour shall come? To think that we have from the murderous sword Rescued one man, and that his heart-pour'd prayers Already with celestial eloquence Plead for us to the All-just?»
Then turn'd to Conrade. «Thou from these our troops Appoint fit escort for the prisoners:
I need not tell thee, Conrade, they are men, Misguided men, led from their little homes, The victims of the mighty! Thus subdued, They are our foes no longer : hold them safe In Orleans. From the war we may not spare Thy valour long.»
She said: when Conrade cast His eyes around, and mark'd amid the court From man to man where Francis rush'd along, Bidding them spare the vanquish'd. Him he hail'd: «The Maid hath bade me chuse a leader forth
To guard the captives; thou shalt be the man; For thou wilt guard them with due diligence, Yet not forgetting they are men, our foes No longer!»
Nor meantime the garrison Ceased from the war; they, in the hour of need, Abandoning their comrades to the sword,
A daring band, resolved to bide the siege In desperate valour. Fast against the walls The battering-ram drove fierce; the enginery Plied at the ramparts fast; the catapults Drove there their dreadful darts; the war-wolfs there Hurl'd their huge stones; and through the kindled sky, The engines shower'd their sheets of liquid fire. 154
« Feel ye not, comrades, how the ramparts shake Beneath the ponderous ram's incessant stroke?» Exclaim'd a venturous Englishman. «Our foes, In woman-like compassion, have dismiss'd A powerful escort, weakening thus themselves, And giving us fair hope, in equal field, Of better fortune. Sorely here annoy'd And slaughter'd by their engines from afar, We perish. Vainly does the soldier boast Undaunted courage and the powerful arm, If thus pent up, like some wild beast he falls, Mark'd for the hunter's arrows: let us out And meet them in the battle, man to man, Either to conquer, or, at least, to die A soldier's death.>>
«Nay, nay...not so,» replied One of less daring valour. « Though they point Their engines here, our archers not in vain
| Speed their death-doing shafts. Let the strong walls First by the foe be won; 't will then be time To meet them in the battle man to man, When these shall fail us.»>
Scarcely had he spoke, When full upon his breast a ponderous stone Fell fierce impell'd, and drove him to the earth, All shatter'd. Horror the spectators seized, For as the dreadful weapon shiver'd him, His blood besprinkled round, and they beheld His mangled lungs lie quivering!
Of those who trust them to their walls' defence,>> Again exclaim'd the soldier: «thus they fall, Betray'd by their own fears. Courage alone Can save us.»
Nor to draw them from the fort Now needed eloquence; with one accord They bade him lead to battle. Forth they rush'd Impetuous. With such fury o'er the plain, Swoln by the autumnal tempest, Vega rolls Ilis rapid waters, when the gather'd storm, On the black heights of Hatteril bursting, swells The tide of desolation.
Spake to the Son of Orleans: «Let our troops Fall back, so shall the English in pursuit Leave this strong fortress, thus an easy prey." Time was not for long counsel. From the court, Obedient to Dunois, a band of Franks Retreat, as at the irruption of their foes Dishearten'd; they, with shouts and loud uproar, Bash to their fancied conquest: JOAN, the while Placing a small but gallant garrison,
Bade them secure the gates: then forth she rush'd, With such fierce onset charging on their rear, That terror smote the English, and they wish'd Again that they might hide them in their walls Rashly abandon'd, for now wheeling around The Son of Orleans fought. All captainless, Il-marshall'd, ill-directed, in vain rage They waste their furious efforts, falling fast Before the Maid's good falchion and the sword Of Conrade: loud was heard the mingled sound Of arms and men; the earth, that trampled late By multitudes, gave to the passing wind Its dusty clouds, now reek'd with their hot gore.
High on the fort's far summit Talbot mark'd The fight, and call'd impatient for his arms, Eager to rush to war; and scarce withheld, For now, disheartened and discomfited, The troops fled fearful.
On the bridge there stood
A strong-built tower, commanding o'er the Loire. The traveller sometimes linger'd on his way, Marking the playful tenants of the stream, Seen in its shadow, stem the sea-ward tide; This had the invaders won in hard assault, Before the delegate of Heaven came forth And made them fear who never fear'd till then. Hither the English troops with hasty steps Retired, yet not forgetful of defence, But waging still the war: the garrison Them thus retreating saw, and open threw Their guarded gates, and on the Gallic host, Covering their vanquish'd fellows, pour'd their shafts. Check'd in pursuit they stop. Then Graville cried, ell, Maiden, hast thou done! Those valiant troops Thy womanish pity has dismiss'd, with us Conjoin'd might press upon the vanquish'd fees, 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 recompense. I have not rear'd the oriflamme of death, 155 The butcher flag! the banner of the Lord
Is this, and come what will, me it behoves, Mindful of that good power who delegates, Το spare the fallen foe: that gracious God Sends me the minister of mercy forth, Sends me to save this ravaged realin of France, To England friendly as to all the world; Foe only to the great blood-guilty ones, The masters and the murderers of mankind.»
She said, and suddenly threw off her helm; Her breast heaved high...her cheek grew red... her eyes Flash'd forth a wilder lustre: «Thou dost deem That I have illy spared so large a band, Disabling from pursuit our weakened troops... 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 ery Of terror burst from them. Crush'd in the fall, Or by their armour whelm'd beneath the tide, The sufferers sunk, or vainly plied their arms, Caught by some sinking wretch, who grasp'd them fast, And dragg'd them down to death: shrieking they sunk; Huge fragments frequent dash'd with thundering roar Amid the foaming current. From the fort Talbot beheld, and gnash'd his teeth, and cursed The more than mortal Virgin; whilst the towers
Of Orleans echoed to the loud uproar,
And all who heard trembled, and cross'd their breasts, And as they hasten'd to the city walls, Told fearfully their beads.
'T was now the hour When o'er the plain the fading rays of eve Their sober light effuse; when the lowing herd, Slow as they stalk to shelter, draw behind Their lengthening shades; and, seeking his high nest, As heavily he flaps the dewy air,
The hoarse rook pours his melancholy note.
« Now then, Dunois, for Orleans!» cried the Maid, «And give we to the flames these monuments Of sorrow and disgrace. The ascending flames Shall to the dwellers of you rescued town Blaze with a joyful splendour, while the foe Behold and tremble.»>
As she spake, they rush'd To fire the forts; they shower their wild fire there, And high amid the gloom the ascending flames Blaze up; then joyful of their finish'd toil The host retire. Hush'd is the field of fight As the calm'd ocean, when its gentle waves Heave slow and silent, wafting tranquilly The shatter'd fragments of the midnight wreck.
FAR through the shadowy sky the ascending flames 157 Stream'd their fierce torrents, by the gales of night Now curl'd, now flashing their long lightnings up That made the stars seem pale; less frequent now Through the red volumes briefer splendours shot, And blacker waves roll'd o'er the darken'd heaven.
Dismay'd amid the forts which yet remain'd The invaders saw, and clamour'd for retreat, Deeming that aided by invisible powers The Maid went forth to conquer.
Moved on the air but fill'd them with vague dread Of unseen dangers; if the blast arose Sudden, through every fibre a deep fear Crept shivering, and to their expecting minds Silence itself was dreadful.158 One there was, Who, learning wisdom in the hour of ill, Exclaim'd, «I marvel not that the Most High Hath hid his face from England! Wherefore thus, Quitting the comforts of domestic life, Swarm we to desolate this goodly land, Making the drench'd earth rank with human blood, Scatter pollution on the winds of heaven? Oh! that the sepulchre had closed its jaws On that foul priest,159 on that blood-guilty man, Who, trembling for the church's ill-got wealth, Bade Henry look on France, ere he had drawn The desolating sword, and sent him forth To slaughter! Sure that holy hermit spake 160 The Almighty's bidding, who in his career Of conquest met the King, and bade him cease The work of death, before the wrath divine Fell heavy on his head;-and soon it fell And sunk him to the grave;-and soon that wrath On us, alike in sin, alike shall fall,
For thousands and ten thousands, by the sword Cut off, and sent before the Eternal Judge, With all their unrepented crimes upon them, Cry out for vengeance! For the widow's groan, Though here she groan unpitied or unheard, Is heard in heaven against us! O'er this land For hills of human slain, unsepulchred, Steam pestilence, and cloud the blessed sun! The wrath of God is on us-God hath call'd This virgin forth, and gone before her path ;- Our brethren, vainly valiant, fall beneath them, Clogging with gore their weapons, or in the flood Whelm'd like the Egyptian tyrant's impious host, Mangled and swoln, their blacken'd carcasses Toss on the tossing billows! We remain, For yet our rulers will pursue the war, We still remain to perish by the sword, Soon to appear before the throne of God, Lost, guilty wretches, hireling murderers, Uninjured, unprovoked, who dare to risk The life his goodness gave us, on the chance Of war, and in obedience to our chiefs Durst disobey our God.»>
The troops and late repentance; and they thought The spirits of the mothers and their babes Famish'd at Roan sat on the clouds of night Circling the forts, to hail with gloomy joy The hour of vengeance.161
Nor the English chiefs Heard their loud murmurs heedless; counselling, They met despondent. Suffolk, now their chief, Since conquer'd by the arm of Theodore Fell Salisbury, thus began:-
<< It now were vain Lightly of this our more than mortal foe To speak contemptuous. She hath vanquish'd us, Aided by hell's leagued powers, nor aught avails
Man unassisted 'gainst the powers of hell 161 To dare the conflict: Were it best remain Waiting the doubtful aid of Burgundy, Doubtful and still delay'd? or from this scene, Scene of our shame, retreating as we may, Yet struggle to preserve the guarded towns Of Orleannois ?>> He ceased; and with a sigh, Struggling with pride that heaved his gloomy breast, Talbot replied: «Our council little boots; For by their numbers now made bold in fear 163 The soldiers will not fight, they will not heed Our vain resolves, heart-withered by the spells Of this accursed sorceress. Soon will come The expected host from England: even now Perchance the tall bark scuds across the deep That bears my son young Talbot comes-he comes To find his sire disgraced! But soon mine arm, By vengeance nerved, and shame of such defeat, Shall from the crest-fall'n courage of yon witch, Regain its ancient glory. Near the coast Best is it to retreat, and there expect The coming succour.»>
Thus the warrior spake. Joy ran through all the troops, 164 as though retreat Were safety. Silently in order'd ranks They issue forth, favour'd by the deep clouds Which mantled o'er the moon. With throbbing hearts Fearful they speeded on : some, thinking sad Of distant England, and, now wise too late, Cursing in bitterness the evil hour
That led them from her shores: some in faint hope Calling to mind the comforts of their home: Talbot went musing on his blasted fame Sullen and stern, and feeding on dark thoughts, And meditating vengeance.
In the walls Of Orleans, though her habitants with joy Humbly acknowledged the high aid of Heaven, Of many a heavy ill and bitter loss
Mindful, such mingled sentiments they felt
As one from shipwreck saved, the first warm glow Of transport past, who contemplates himself, Preserved alone, a solitary wretch,
Possess'd of life indeed, but reft of all
That makes man love to live. The chieftains shared The social bowl,165 glad of the town relieved, And communing of that miraculous Maid, Who came the saviour of the realm of France, When vanquish'd in the frequent field of shame Her bravest warriors trembled.
Foodless and silent to the convent pass'd: Conrade with her, and Isabel; both mute, Yet gazing on her, oft with eloquent eye, Looking the consolation that they fear'd To give a voice to. Now they reach'd the dome : The glaring torches o'er the house of death Stream'd a sad splendour. Flowers and funeral herbs Bedeck'd the bier of Theodore: the rue,
The dark green rosemary, and the violet, That pluck'd like him wither'd in its first bloom. Dissolved in sorrow Isabel her grief
Pour'd copious; Conrade wept: the Maid alone Was tearless, for she stood unheedingly, Gazing the vision'd scene of her last hour,
Absorb'd in contemplation; from her eye Intelligence was absent; nor she seem'd To hear, though listening to the dirge of death. Laid in his last home now was Theodore, And now upon the coffin thrown, the earth Fell heavy the Maid started, for the sound Smote on her heart; her eye one lightning glance Shot wild; and shuddering, upon Isabel
She hung, her pale lips trembling, and her cheek As wan as though untenanted by life.
Then in the priest arose the earnest hope, That, weary of the world and sick with woe, The Maid might dwell with them a vestal vow'd.
«Ah, damsel!» slow he spake, and cross'd his breast, Ah, damsel! favour'd as thou art of Heaven, Let not thy soul beneath its sorrow sink Despondent; Heaven by sorrow disciplines The froward heart, and chastens whom it loves; Therefore, companion of thy way of life, Shall sorrow wean thee from this faithless world, Where happiness provokes the traveller's chase, And like the midnight meteor of the marsh Allures his long and perilous pursuit,
Then leaves him dark and comfortless. O Maid!
Fix thou thine eyes upon that heavenly dawn Beyond the night of life! thy race is run; Thou hast delivered Orleans: now perfect Thyself; accomplish all, and be the child
Of God. Amid these sacred haunts the groan Of woe is never heard; these hallow'd roofs Re-echo only to the pealing quire,
The chaunted mass, and virgin's holy hymn, Celestial sounds! Secluded here, the soul Receives a foretaste of her joys to come! This is the abode of piety and peace: Oh! be their inmate, Maiden! Come to rest,
Die to the world, and live espoused to Heaven! »>
Cold as their clayey tenants, know, my heart Must never grow to stone! Chill thou thyself, And break thy midnight rest, and tell thy beads, And labour through thy still repeated prayer; Fear thou thy God of terrors; spurn the gifts He gave, and sepulchre thyself alive!
But far more valued is the vine that bends Beneath its swelling clusters, than the dark And joyless ivy, round the cloister's wall Wreathing its barren arms. For me, I know Mine own worth, priest! that I have well perform'd My duty, and untrembling shall appear Before the just tribunal of that God
Whom grateful love has taught me to adore!»> Severe she spake, for sorrow in her heart
Had wrought unwonted sternness. From the dome They past in silence, when with hasty steps, Sent by the assembled chieftains, one they met Seeking the mission'd Virgin, as alarm'd, The herald of ill tidings.
Holy Maid!» He cried, « they ask thy counsel. Burgundy Comes in the cause of England, and his troops Scarce three leagues from our walls, a fearful power, Rest tented for the night.»
At morn I will be with them,» she replied.
« Meantime their welfare well shall occupy My nightly thoughts.»>
So saying, on she past Thoughtful and silent. A brief while she mused, Brief, but sufficing to impel the soul,
As with a strange and irresistible force,
To loftiest daring. << Conrade!» she exclaim'd,
<< I pray thee meet me at the eastern gate
With a swift steed prepared: for I must hence.>>
Her voice was calm; nor Conrade through the gloom Saw the faint flush that witness'd on her cheek
Then Conrade answer'd: «Father! Heaven has doom'd High thoughts conceived. She to her home repair'd, This Maid to active virtue.»>
The astonish'd priest : « thou dost not know the toils This holy warfare asks; thou dost not know How powerful the attacks that Satan makes,
By sinful nature aided! Dost thou deem
It is an easy task from the fond breast To root affection out? to burst the cords Which grapple to society the heart Of social man? to rouse the unwilling spirit, That, rebel to devotion, faintly pours
The cold lip-worship of the wearying prayer? To fear and tremble at him, yet to love A God of terrors! Maid, beloved of Heaven! Come to this sacred trial! share with us The day of penance and the night of prayer! Humble thyself! feel thine own worthlessness, A reptile worm before thy birth condemn'd To all the horrors of thy Maker's wrath, The lot of fallen mankind! Oh, hither come! Humble thyself in ashes; so thy name Shall live amid the blessed host of saints, And unborn pilgrims at thy hallow'd shrine Four forth their pious offerings.»>
« Bear me, priest,»> Exclaim'd the awaken'd Maid. « Amid these tombs,
And with a light and unplumed casquetel166 She helm'd her head; hung from her neck the shield, 67 And forth she went.
Her Conrade by the wall May I, Maiden, seek unblamed Whither this midnight journey? may I share The peril ?» cried the warrior. She rejoin'd,
<< This, Conrade, may not be. Alone I go. That impulse of the soul which comes from God; Hluth summon'd me. Of this remain assured, If aught of patriot enterprise required Associate firmness, thou shouldst be the man, Best... last... and only friend !»
So up she And left him. He beheld the warden close The gate, and listen'd to her courser's tramp, Till soon upon his ear the far-off sound Fell faintly, and was lost.
Swift o'er the vale Sped the good courser; eagerly the Maid Gave the loose rein, and now her speed attain'd The dark encampment. Through the sleeping ranks Onward she past. The trampling of the steed Or mingled with the soldier's busy dreams, Or with vague terrors fill'd his startled sense, Prompting the secret prayer.
So on she past To where in loftier shade arose the tent Of Burgundy: light leaping from her seat She enter'd.
On the earth the Chieftain slept, His mantle scarft around him; all in arms, Save that his shield hung near him, and his helm, And by his side in warrior readiness
The sheathed falchion lay. Profound he slept, Nor heard the speeding courser's sounding hoof, Nor entering footstep. Burgundy,» she cried, « What, Burgundy! awake!» He started up, And caught the gleam of arms, and to his sword Reach'd the quick hand. But soon his upward glance Thrill'd him, for full upon her face the lamp Stream'd its deep glare, and in her solemn look Was most unearthly meaning. Pale she was; But in her eye a saintly lustre beam'd, And that most calm and holiest confidence That guilt knows never. Burgundy, thou seest
Exclaim'd, « Die, sorceress !» and a knight rush'd in, Whose name by her illustrated yet lives, Franquet of Arras. With uplifted arm Furious he came; her buckler broke the blow, And forth she flash'd her sword, and with a stroke Swift that no eye could ward it, and of strength No mail might blunt, smote on his neck, his neck Unfenced, for he in haste aroused had cast An armet 68 on; resistless there she smote, And to the earth prone fell the headless trunk Of Franquet.
Then on Burgundy she fix'd Her eye severe : << Go, Chief, and thank thy God That he with lighter judgments visits thee Than fell on Sisera, or by Judith's hand He wrought upon the Assyrian! Thank thy God, That when his vengeance smote the invading sons Of England, equall'd though thou wert in guilt, Thee he has spared to work by penitence And better deeds atonement.»>
Thus she spake; Then issued forth, and, bounding on her steed, Sped o'er the plain. Dark on the upland bank The hedge-row trees distinct and colourless Rose o'er the grey horizon, and the Loire Form'd in its winding way islands of light Amid the shadowy vale, when now she reach'd The walls of Orleans.
From the eastern clouds The sun came forth, as to the assembled chiefs The Maiden past. Her bending thitherwards The Bastard met. New perils threaten us,» He cried,« new toils await us: Burgundy.
The delegated Damsel thus replied:
<< So let them fly, Dunois! but other toils Than those of battle these our hallow'd troops Await. Look yonder to that carnaged plain! Behoves us there to delve the general grave. Then, Chieftain, for pursuit, when we have paid The rites of burial to our fellow men,
And hymn'd our gratitude to that ALL-JUST Who gave the conquest. Thou, meantime, dispatch Tidings to Chinon: bid the King set forth, That, crowning him before assembled France, In Rheims, delivered from the enemy,
So said the Maid, The assembled troops
Then to the gate moved on. Beheld their coming Chief, and smote their shields, Clamouring their admiration; for they thought That she would lead them to the instant war. She waved her hand, and silence still'd the host. Then thus the mission'd Maid: Fellows in arms! We must not speed to joyful victory, Whilst our unburied comrades, on yon plain,
Allure the carrion-bird.
To our dead friends!»
Nor did she speak in vain;
For as she spake, the thirst of battle dies
In every breast, such awe and love pervade The listening troops. They o'er the corse-strewn plain Speed to their sad employment: some dig deep The house of death; some bear the lifeless load; One little troop search carefully around,
If haply they might find surviving yet Some wounded wretches. As they labour thus, They mark far off the iron-blaze of arms; See distant standards waving on the air, And hear the clarion's clang. Then spake the Maid To Conrade, and she bade him speed to view The coming army; or to meet their march With friendly greeting, or if foes they came With such of battle as short space array Allowed; the warrior sped across the plain, And soon beheld the banner'd lilies wave.
Their chief was Richemont; he, when as he heard What rites employ'd the Virgin, straightway bade His troops assist in burial; they, though grieved At late arrival, and the expected day Of conquest past, yet give their willing aid: They dig the general grave, and thither bear English or French alike commingled now, And heap the mound of death.
There was a little eminence, of old Piled o'er some honoured chieftain's narrow house. His praise the song had ceased to celebrate, And many an unknown age had the long grass Waved o'er the nameless mound, though barren now Beneath the frequent tread of multitudes. There elevate, the martial Maiden stood, Her brow unhelm'd, and floating on the wind Her long dark locks. The silent troops around Stood thickly throng'd, as o'er the fertile field Billows the ripen'd corn. The passing breeze Bore not a murmur from the numerous host, Such deep attention held them. She began:
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