"His people, as of yore, before he past "Into the fulness of eternal rest,

"When by the Spirit to the lingering camp

"Of Etius borne, he brought the timely aid,

"And Attila with all his multitudes

"Far off retreated to their field of shame."

And now Dunois, for he had seen the camp
Well-order'd, enter'd. "One night more in peace

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England shall rest," he cried, ere yet the storm "Burst on her guilty head! Then their proud vaunts "Forgotten, or remember'd to their shame, "Vainly her chiefs shall curse the hour when first

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They pitch'd their tents round Orleans."

"Of that siege,"

The Maid of Arc replied, "gladly I hear
"The detail. Isabel proceed! for soon
"Destined to rescue this devoted town,
"The tale of all the ills she hath endur'd,
"I listen, sorrowing for the past, and feel

Nor Isabel delay'd. "And now more near

"The hostile host advancing pitch their tents. "Unnumber'd streamers wave, and clamorous shouts, "Anticipating conquest, rend the air

"With universal uproar. From their camp "A herald comes; his garb emblazon'd o'er "With leopards and the lilies of our realm,

"Foul shame to France! The summons of the foe "He brought."

The Bastard interrupting cried,

"I was with Gaucour and the assembled chiefs,
"When by his office privileged and proud
"That herald spake, as certain of success
"As he had made a league with Victory :-
"Nobles of France rebellious! from the chief
"Of yon victorious host, the mighty Earl

"Of Salisbury, now there in place of him

"Your Regent John of Bedford: in his name "I come, and in our sovereign Lord the King's,

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Henry. Ye know full well our Master's claim, "Incontrovertible, to this good realm,

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By right descent, and solemnly confirm'd

By your great Monarch and our mighty King "Fifth Henry, in the treaty ratified

"At Troyes, wherein your Monarch did disclaim "All future right and title to this crown,

"His own exempted, for his son and heirs

"Down to the end of time. This sign'd and seal'd "At the holy altar, and by nuptial knot

"Of Henry and your princess, yields the realm, "Charles dead and Henry, to his infant son

Henry of Windsor. Who then dares oppose

'My Master's title, in the face of God

"Of wilful perjury, most atrocious crime,
"Stands guilty, and of flat rebellion 'gainst
"The Lord's anointed. He at Paris crown'd
"With loud acclaim from duteous multitudes,

"Thus speaks by me:-Deliver up your town "To Salisbury, and yield yourselves and arms, "So shall your lives be safe: and such his grace, "If of your free accord to him you pay

"Due homage as your sovereign Lord and King, "Your rich estates, your houses shall be safe, "And you in favour stand, as is the Duke, "Philip of Burgundy. But... mark me well! "If obstinately wilful, you persist

"To scorn his proffer'd mercy; not one stone "Upon another of this wretched town

"Shall then be left; and when the English host

Triumphant in the dust have trod the towers "Of Orleans, who survive the dreadful war "Shall die like traitors by the hangman's hand. "Ye men of France, remember Caen and Roan!"

"He ceased: nor Gaucour for a moment paus'd "To form reply.

"Herald! to all thy vaunts

"Of English sovereignty let this suffice

"For answer: France will only own as king "Him whom the people chuse. On Charles's brow, "Transmitted thro' a long and good descent,

"The crown remains. We know no homage due

"To English robbers, and disclaim the peace

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Inglorious made at Troyes by factious men

"Hostile to France. Thy Master's proffer'd grace "Meets the contempt it merits. Herald, yes, "We shall remember Meaux, and Caen, and Roan! "Go tell the mighty Earl of Salisbury,

"That, as like Blanchard, Gaucour dares his power; "Like Blanchard, he can mock his cruelty, "And triumph by enduring. Speak I well,

"Ye men of Orleans ?"

"Never did I hear

"A shout so universal as ensued

"Of approbation. The assembled host

"As with one voice pour'd forth their loyalty,

“And struck their sounding shields; and walls and

"towers,