"Here with rude mockery and with insolence "Receiv'd. Bear witness, chieftains! that the French, "Free from blood-guiltiness, shall meet the war." "And who art thou ?" cried Suffolk, and his eye Grew fierce and wrath-inflam'd: "What fool art thou, 66 Who at this woman's bidding comest to brave "The host of England? thou shalt have thy meed!" Then turning to the sentinel he cried, "Prepare a stake! and let the men of Orleans, "And let this woman who believes her name 66 May privilege her apostle, see the fire "Consume him. Build the stake! for by my God "He shall be kalender'd of this new faith "First martyr." As he spake, a sudden flush Came o'er the herald's cheek, and his heart beat With quicker action; but the sudden flush, To such a steady hue as spake the soul Roused up with all its powers, and unsubdued, A hideous shout, more savage than the howl And cried aloud,- "Oh! woe it is to think "So many men shall never see the sun "Go down! ye English mothers, mourn ye now! "Your sons, your husbands, by the sword must fall. He who spake Was young and comely; had his cheek been pale Sure he had won compassion; but the blood Gave now a livelier meaning to his cheek, Not unseen Rear'd they the stake, and piled around the wood; Had Suffolk's arrogant fierceness bade the work And general clamour, "Lead us to the foe!" "Not upon us, O GOD!" the Maid exclaim'd, "Not upon us cry out the innocent blood!" And bade the signal sound. In the English camp Even from themselves, some silently in prayer, For much their hearts misgave them. Of Suffolk swell'd within him. "Speed your work!" Exclaim'd the savage earl; "kindle the pile "That France may see the fire, and in defeat "Feel aggravated shame!" And now they bound The herald to the stake: he cried aloud, And fix'd his eye on Suffolk," Let not him "God and the Maid!" The host of France approach'd, And Suffolk eagerly beheld the fire Draw near the pile; sudden a fearful shout Toward Orleans turn'd his eye, and thence he saw A mailed man upon a mailed steed Come thundering on. As when Chederles comes To aid the Moslem on his deathless steed, Till with the copious draught of life and strength Came Conrade thro' the camp. Aright, aleft, And arm, and fight, and conquer. "Haste thee hence "To Orleans," cried the warrior. "Tell the chiefs "There is confusion in the English camp. "Bid them come forth." On Conrade's steed the youth Leapt up, and hasten'd onward. He the while Turn'd to the war. Like two conflicting clouds, Pregnant with thunder, rush'd the hostile hosts. |