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In the centre of Rheims, a

holy church elevates itself to the clouds, and, thrusting up its towers into the midway sky, provokes the lightning. This mass, made of the entrails of a mountain, was by the Architect shaped like a cross. From its wall hung the ancient banner given to Clovis when he became a Christian. Here under a silver key was kept the crown, whose jewels at once wounded and delighted the eye; here too were the royal mantle, the great mystic ring, and the sceptre which makes the Prince just, and renders his heart humane. Bedford had sent these from St. Denis, that the English King might be crowned at Rheims; but by the decree of heaven he removed them for the coronation of Charles. A scaffolding for the King is erected on a level with the altar.

doors are opened and a

Charles, said the Bishop,

At night, Charles accompanied only by the Maid, Clermont and Dunois, goes to the church, and passes the night in prayer; in the morning the torrent of people inundate it. thou who art only King of a part of France, the time is come for thee to subject all, and render thyself absolute. Heaven at this moment opens above thee, and God descends in his glory to crown thee by my hands. After this flight of episcopal eloquence, he anoints the King from the holy ampulla, and makes him swear to defend

the church and die in the faith. Charles then partakes the terrible mystery of the sacrament, and the ceremony

concludes.

The King invites his nobles to his table. It was a splendid feast of delicate luxury and exquisite abundance. Suddenly they hear an uproar: tidings have arrived that Bedford is marching towards Rheims reinforced by his son, his son who is destined by Heaven to subject the Lillies to the English Leopard.

Bedford

believed in Astrology and regulated his conduct by the stars. Informed by these that his son was promised to attain very high honours in France, but that he would be exposed to imminent perils there, he had kept him in retirement, but now the cause of England was become so desperate, the aspect of the planets became more favourable and he summoned his son. All Ireland and all England are roused up to war. At this news Charles starts from table, his nobles arise around him, they demand to be led towards Bedford, and the soldiers partake of their enthusiasm.

Who is this Son that

reanimates the hopes of Bedford? said Charles to the Maid, when Clermont and Dunois alone remained with them. Will Heaven forsake us to assist him? This is all hidden from me, replied the Maid. But assuredly

that side will prevail which most fears the Lord. This answer does not satisfy the King. He begins to doubt his cause; for the first time he wishes to participate in the revelations made to the Maid; Clermont and Dunois join their humble requests to his; she assents and promises that they shall be favoured with a knowledge of the future.

There is a cavern in the church of St, Marculphe, deep and dark; he dews hang in long stalactydes from its roof, and cover over the altar. After having performed nine days devotion here, the anointed Kings of France have the glorious privilege of healing by their touch an evil otherwise incurable; a privilege only granted to the Kings of France. On the ninth night Charles, Clermont and Dunois are mingling their prayers and sighs with those of the Maid, when a sudden light illuminates the cavern, marvellous music follows, and a voice foretells the death of the Maid and the future fortunes of the Bourbon family.

Charles and his com

panions thought themselves transported to the third heaven; he quits the cavern and cures the multitude who are waiting for his miraculous touch.

Soissons, Laon,

and Saint-Quentin send to submit to the King. Tanneguy Clermont, and Dunois depart to receive their submission,

Amaury remains alone with Charles, who is now disquieted by the news that Burgundy has raised an army to oppose him.

THE NINTH BOOK.

Charles is greatly agitated by the conduct of Burgundy. Of all the Devils whom the womb of the earth had vomited out to assist the English, the most mischievous was one whose body is made of nothing but ears and eyes. This fiend stimulates Amaury to make the King jealous of Agnes. He tells him that Agnes has instigated Burgundy, and that her conduct was the natural effect of the cruelty and disdain with which he had dismissed her. Charles feels this ingenious poison flow into his soul; his love revives; and when the Maid urges him to march to Paris, he declares his fear of Burgundy, and regrets his behaviour to Agnes. Amaury follows him in a bolder tone, pouring out his gall in great waves upon the Maid. The King, said he, is no longer led by the Spirit that inspires you, for he finds that it produces only evil; if it be evil to have armed Burgundy against us, to have insulted that generous fair one who has his heart in her hands, and thus to have deprived France of so powerful an ally. You said that heaven, with whom

you would cover the horror of your barbarous acts, rejected her aid, and why?—when it admitted yours! because you would not endure a rival at Court you have deprived Charles of his throne, perhaps of his life. This is a little too insolent! replied the Maid. Orleans is then forgotten, and so many rescued cities and this glorious coronation! These miracles have I atchieved without Agnes, the heavens have seen me execute their orders, and they shall see me defeat the English without Agnes, they shall see me carry the war, without Agnes and in despite of Burgundy, to the walls of Paris. Every where Charles shalt thou be conqueror, if thou wilt preserve thine heart from sin.

At the speech of the Maid Charles is filled with sadness, he is ashamed of his love, and in his heart reverences the Holy one. Amaury is at once agitated by fear and hatred, and as his power lessens his malevolence increases. At this moment they hear a mighty shout, the approach of Bedford is announced, the army are impatient to meet him, their ardour cannot be repressed, and they begin their march.

In the mean time Bedford leads on his troops, he harangues them, and they applaud him with an hundred shouts. But terror comes among them, and they all refuse to proceed. He himself feels the influences of this power, and retires towards Paris. Charles pursues

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