66

By every milder feeling, they rush'd forth,

"They fought, they conquer'd. To this high-rear'd

mound

"The men of Orleans in the days to come "Shall bring their boys, and tell them of the deeds "Their countrymen achieved, and bid them learn "Like them to love their country, and like them, "Should wild oppression pour again it's tide "Of desolation, to step forth and stem

"Fearless, the furious torrent. Men of France! "Mourn not for these our comrades; boldly they "Fought the good fight, and that Eternal One, "Who bade the angels harbinger his word

"With peace on earth,' rewards them. We survive,
Honouring their memories to avenge their fall
"Upon the invading host; in vain the foe

"Madly will drain his wealth and waste his blood
"To conquer this vast realm! for, easier were it
"To hurl the rooted mountain from it's base,

"Than force the yoke of slavery upon men

"Determin'd to be free! Yes, .. let them rage,

"And drain their country's wealth, and waste her

blood,

"And pour their hireling thousands on our coasts, ́ "Sublime amid the storm shall France arise, "And like the rock amid surrounding waves,

Repel the rushing ocean, she shall wield

"The thunder,.. she shall blast her despot foes."

JOAN OF ARC.

THE TENTH BOOK.

THUS to the martyrs in their country's cause
The Maiden gave their fame; and when she ceas'd,
Such murmur from the multitude arose,

As when at twilight hour the summer breeze
Moves o'er the elmy vale: there was not one
Who mourn'd with feeble sorrow for his friend,
Slain in the fight of freedom; or if chance
Remembrance with a tear suffus'd the eye,
The patriot's joy flash'd thro'.

And now the rites

Of sepulture perform'd, the hymn to heaven
They chaunted. To the town the Maid return'd,
Dunois, with her, and Richemont, and the man,
Conrade, whose converse most the Virgin lov'd.

They of pursuit and of the future war

Sat communing; when loud the trumpet's voice
Proclaim'd approaching herald.

"To the Maid,"

Exclaim'd the messenger, “and thee, Dunois,

"Son of the chief he lov'd! Du Chastel sends "Greeting. The aged warrior hath not spar'd "All active efforts to partake your toil,

"And serve his country; and tho' late arriv'd, "He share not in the fame your arms acquire, "His heart is glad that he is late arriv'd, "And France preserv'd thus early. He were here "To join your host, and follow on their flight, "But Richemont is his foe. To that high lord "Thus says my master: We, tho' each to each "Be hostile, are alike the embattled sons

"Of this our common country. Do thou join "The conquering troops, and prosecute success ; "I will the while assault what guarded towns

66 Perhaps the constable of France may learn

"He wrong'd Du Chastel."

As the herald spake,

The crimson current rush'd to Richemont's cheek.

"Tell to thy master," eager he replied,

"I am the foe of those court parasites

"Who poison the king's ear. Him who shall serve "Our country in the field, I hold my friend:

"Such may Du Chastel prove."

So said the chief,

And pausing as the herald went his way, Gaz'd on the Virgin. "Maiden! if aright "I deem, thou dost not with a friendly eye "Scan my past deeds."

Then o'er the damsel's cheek

A faint glow spread. "True, chieftain!" she replied,

"Report bespeaks thee haughty, of thy power