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"On one fore-doom'd to misery; for so doom'd "Is that deluded one, who, of the mass

"Unheeding, and the Churches saving power,

"Deems nature sinless. Therefore, mark ine well,

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Brethren, I would propose this woman try

"The holy ordeal. Let her, bound and stript,
"Lest haply in her clothes should be conceal'd
"Some holy relic so profan'd, be cast

"In the deep pond; there if she float, no doubt
"Some fiend upholds, but if she instant sink,
"Sure sign is that that Providence displays

"Her free from witchcraft. This done, let her walk
"Blinded and bare o'er ploughshares heated red,
"And o'er these past, her naked arm plunge deep
"In scalding water. If from these she pass
"Unhurt, to holy father of the church

"Most blessed Pope, we then refer the cause

"For judgement: and this Chief, the Son of Orleans, "Who comes to vouch the royal person known

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By her miraculous power, shall pass with her

"The sacred trial."

"Grace of God !" exclaim'd

The astonish'd Bastard; "plunge me in the pool,
"O'er red-hot ploughshares make me dance to please

"Your dotard fancies! Fathers of the church,
"Where is your gravity? what! elder-like
"This fairer than Susannah would you eye?
"Ye call for ordeals; and I too demand
"The noblest ordeal, on the English host

"In victory to prove the mission sent

"From favouring Heaven. To the Pope refer

"For judgement! Know ye not that France even now

"Stands tottering on destruction !"

Starting wild,

With a strange look, the mission'd Maid exclaim'd, "The sword of God is here! the grave shall speak

"To manifest me !"

Even as she spake,

A pale blue flame rose from the trophied tomb

Beside her. A deep silence thro' the dome

Dwelt awful: sudden from that house of death

The clash of arms was heard, as tho' within

The shrouded warrior shook his mailed limbs.

"Hear ye?" the Damsel cried; "these are the arms "That shall flash terror o'er the hostile host.

"These, in the presence of our Lord the King,
"And the assembled people, I shall take
"From this the sepulchre, where many an age
"Incorruptible they have lain conceal'd,
"Destin'd for me, the Delegate of Heaven."

Recovering from amaze, the Priest replied:

"Thou art indeed the Delegate of Heaven!
"What thou hast said surely thou shalt perform!
"We ratify thy mission. Go in peace.

The Fourth Book.

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