with their town was not equally approved by all the men of Orleans. Nine base citizens feared to be burnt in such beautiful flames; their fear renewed their hope, and they resolved to seek protection from the Duke of Burgundy. It was night. Burgundy was sitting sleepless in the English camp reflecting on the insolence of Bedford. An invisible Angel descends to him, and makes a speech sound in the profundity of his heart, wounding his pride and leading to repentance. In the morning a citizen from Orleans comes to him, and intreats him to protect the town from the arms of the English and the despair of Dunois. Burgundy acquaints Bedford with this offer, who insolently replies, that no one shall attempt with impunity to protect Orleans from the English vengeance. The Duke retires in discontent, and the citizen returns despairingly to Orleans. Fame now had spread abroad a report that Dunois unable longer to defend Orleans had destroyed it by fire, and perished with it. This report deprives the King of his last hope. He assembles his chiefs, expresses his despair, and declares that he will retreat to the wilds of Dauphinè, preferring exile to captivity. His Counsellors are silent; and Charles rises to depart with this resolution. Quand il voit, vers la porte, un mobile nuage Estinceler, se fendre, et descouvrir aux yeux Le nüage, en son sein, comme en une ample scene, De son air venerable, et de son grave port. Se taille est plus qu' humaine, et dans sa haute mine Elle a la front modeste, et son severe aspect Son poil brun, qui se frise en boucles naturelles, Si non par sa houlette et par son vestement. Des vertus d'une Fille, et d'un Homme et d'un Ange; That instant he beheld a moving cloud Of Heaven. A Shepherdess, or rather Queen And smiles and dimpled sweetness did not form But did not dare to love. No woman wiles Had she; a bold and holy negligence Ennobled her strong beauties. Round her brow, Unharming play'd a coronet of fire, But the arrowed lightning of her looks transpierced All hearts: her mien was calm and confident And garb alone bespake the Shepherdess; They beheld this prodigy with astonishment, but the Divine Providence breathed itself into their bosoms, and predisposed them to believe in the Maid. The King is no ways distinguished from those around them, but she singles him out, tells him Dunois still lives, that Orleans still resists the English, and that Heaven has deputed her to rescue France and crown him in Rheims. Gillon alone, inspired with jealousy, warns Charles to beware of this juggle. The Maid looks at him and he falls senseless. The King has instant faith; he immediately gives his own armour to her, but she demands the sword of Martel, consecrated by him after the defeat of the Saracens, and now concealed at Fierbois in the tomb of a holy maid. They all believe in her and are comforted. Night comes on, and the Maid betakes herself to prayer. THE SECOND BOOK. Charles rose before the sun; the Warrior Maid meets him. Prince, she cried, arm all that can be armed in thy weak provinces. I shall subdue the English, but not without soldiers. Form a camp, and though it be composed of boys and old men, God will impel their darts. The King's commands are divulged every where, and oh prodigious effect! oh marvellous beyond what is human! in only six days, six thousand combatants arrived under the walls of Chinon. In the mean time the Maid willing to spare blood writes to the English. She took the paper, an Angel guided the pen. After dispatching this, she passes the whole night on her knees in prayer. In this holy state, among the saints, with devout sighings and pious tears she intreated heaven to bless her arms, nor did she abate this fervour till the sixth morning when the troops were assembled. Godefroy now arrives from Orleans to inform Charles of the distress of the inhabitants, and their desperate resolution. The Maid replies in a strain of prophecy, and the astonished Godefroy dreads her like a divinity. The convoy is prepared, and thirty vessels laden with grain. The Sword arrives from Fierbois; the strong arm of Chasteauroux is weak in presenting it to the Virgin; the flaming blade devours its prison and attempts to release itself. I went to the dark Forest of Fierbois. said he, I found the ancient temple and the cavern, I had the cavern opened and descended in devout horror. Lenquired for the Sword, and all were ignorant respecting |