Of Conrade was among them. Not more fierce Clad in his dragon mail. Like some tall rock, Around whose billow-beaten foot the waves Tho' on his shield and helm the darts fell fast As the sear'd leaves that from the trembling tree Nor Conrade paus'd, Still thro' the fierce fight urging on his way, Till to the gate he came, and with strong hand The bolts the gate turn'd slow: forth leapt the Chief That hung on high the bridge. The impetuous troops, By Gaucour led, rush'd o'er to victory. The banner'd lillies on the captur'd wall Tossed to the wind. "On to the neighbouring fort!" Cried Conrade, "Xaintrailles! ere the night draws on "Once more to conquest lead the troops of France! "Foree ye the lists, and fill the deep-dug moat, "And with the ram, shake down their batter'd walls, "Anon I shall be with you." Thus he said; Then to the Damsel. "Maid of Arc! awhile "Cease we from battle, and by short repose "Renew our strength." So saying he his helm Unlaced, and in the Loire's near-flowing stream Cool'd his hot face. The Maid her head unhelm'd, And stooping to the stream, reflected there Saw her white plumage stain'd with human blood! Shuddering she saw, but soon her steady soul Collected on the banks she laid her down, : Freely awhile respiring, for her breath Quick panted from the fight: silent they lay, Their throbbing temples. It was now the noon : The sun-beams on the gently-waving stream Danced sparkling. Lost in thought the warrior lay, And softening sadly his stern face, exclaim'd, "Maiden of Arc! at such an hour as this, "Beneath the o'er-arching forest's checquer'd shade, "With that lost woman have I wandered on, "Talking of years of happiness to come! "Oh hours for ever fled delightful dreams "Of the unsuspecting heart! I do believe "If Agnes on a worthier one had fix'd "Her love, that tho' mine aching heart had nurst "Its sorrows, I had never on her choice "Pour'd one upbraiding-but to stoop to him! "A harlot -an adulteress !" In his eye Red anger flash'd; anon of what she was Ere yet the foul pollution of the Court Stain'd her fair fame, he thought. "Oh happy age!" He cried, "when all the family of man "Freely enjoyed their goodly heritage, "And only bow'd the knee in prayer to God! "Calm flow'd the unruffled stream of years along, "Till o'er the peaceful rustic's head, grew grey "The hairs in full of time. Then he would sit "Beneath the coetaneous oak, whilst round, "What time to yoke the oxen to the plough, "What hollow moanings of the western wind "Foretel the storm, and in what lurid clouds "Thus quietly the stream of life flow'd on "His last advice, and caught his latest sigh: "Beneath the aged tree that grew with him. They delved the narrow house: there oft at eve "Drew round their children of the after days, "And pointing to the turf, told how he lived, "And taught by his example how to die. |