When down their bows they threw, And on the French they flew, Not one was tardy; Arms were from shoulders sent, This while our noble king Down the French host did ding And many a deep wound lent, Bruised his helmet. Gloster, that duke so good, With his brave brother; Scarce such another. Warwick in blood did wade, 82. bilbos] swords. 85 90 95 100 105 ΙΙΟ Upon Saint Crispin's Day To England to carry. M. DRAYTON. 45. grandsire. Edward III, at Crecy, 1346. 115 120 A BALLAD OF ORLEANS (1429) A reference to the map will show that Orleans is the key to the country south of the Loire, and its importance was fully recognized by the English who tried for six months to take it. They were frustrated by Joan of Arc, who triumphantly led the French into the town, and in eight days forced the English to raise the siege and retire. The failure to take Orleans was the beginning of the end of English rule over France. THE fray began at the middle-gate, No knight in all the land of France Till up there rose a young maiden, Sixty forts around Orleans town, Sixty forts at our gates last night- Talbot, Suffolk, and Pole are fled Sixty forts around Orleans town, &c. The blood ran off our spears all night As the rain runs off the roofs God rest their souls that fell i' the fight They came to rob us of our own They fell and clutched the stubborn earth, Sixty forts around Orleans town, &c. We fought across the moonless dark For lo! the misty break o' the day Sixty forts around Orleans town, &c. A. M. F. ROBINSON. 15 20 25 29 35 HENRY VI AND MARGARET OF ANJOU (1460) After the battle of Northampton, in 1460, the Duke of York claimed the throne by right of descent. The Parliament effected a compromise to which Henry VI agreed: he should reign for his lifetime, but York should succeed him. The Queen, Margaret of Anjou, naturally objected to the exclusion of her son from the throne, and raising the 'northern lords', defeated and killed the Duke of York at Wakefield. King Henry. Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay. Queen Margaret. Who can be patient in such extremes? 5 Ah! wretched man; would I had died a maid, Prince. Father, you cannot disinherit me: 9 King Henry. Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet son; 15 The Earl of Warwick, and the duke, enforc'd me. Queen Margaret. Enforc'd thee! art thou King, and wilt be forc'd? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah! timorous wretch; Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me; |