"For yet our rulers will pursue the war,
"We still remain to perish by the sword,
"Soon to appear before the throne of God,
"Lost, guilty wretches, hireling murderers,
"Uninjur'd, unprovok'd, who dared to risk
"The life his goodness gave us, on the chance
“Of war, and in obedience to our Chiefs,
"Durst disobey our God."

Then terror seized

The troops and late repentance: and they thought
The Spirits of the Mothers and their Babes

Famish'd at Roan, sat on the clouds of night,
Circling the forts, to hail with gloomy joy

The hour of vengeance.*

Reseraverat antrum

Tartareus Rector pallens, utque arma nefanda
Spectarent, caperentque sui solatia fati,
Invisas illuc Libyes emiserat umbras ;
Undique consedere arvis, nigraque corona
Infecere diem, versatilis umbra Jugurthæ,

Nor the English Chiefs

Heard their loud murmurs heedless: counselling

They met despondent. Suffolk, now their Chief, Since conquered by the arm of Theodore

Fell Salisbury, thus began.

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"It now were vain

Lightly of this our more than mortal foe,

"To speak contemptuous. She has vanquish'd us, "Aided by Hell's leagued powers, nor ought avails "Man unassisted 'gainst the powers of * Hell

Annibalis sævi Manes, captique Syphacis,
Qui nunc eversas secum Carthaginis arces
Ignovere Deis, postquam feralia campi

Prælia Thapsiaci, et Latios videre furores.

Supplementum Lucani. Lib. iii.

I am not conscious of having imitated these lines; but I would not lose the opportunity of quoting so fine a passage from Thomas May, an author to whom I owe some obligations, and who is not remembered as his merits deserve.

*To some, says Speed, it may appear more honourable to our nation, that they were not to be expelled by a human power, but by a divine, extraordinarily revealing itself.

"To dare the conflict: were it best remain

"Waiting the doubtful aid of Burgundy,
"Doubtful and still delayed; or from this scene,
"Scene of our shame, retreating as we may,
"Yet struggle to preserve the guarded towns
"Of Orleannois ?"

He ceas'd, and with a sigh

Struggling with pride that heav'd his gloomy breast, Talbot replied-" Our council little boots;

"For by their numbers now made bold * in fear "The soldiers will not fight, they will not heed "Our vain resolves, heart-withered by the spells "Of this accursed Sorceress soon will come "The expected host from England: even now "Perchance the tall bark scuds across the deep "That bears my son: young Talbot comes-he comes

* Nec pavidum murmur; consensu audacia crevit,

Tantaque turba metu poenarum solvit ad omni.

Sup. Lucani.

"To find his sire disgraced! but soon mine arm,

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By vengeance nerved, and shame of such defeat, Shall, from the crest-fallen courage of yon witch,

Regain its antient glory. Near the coast "Best is it to retreat, and there expect

"The coming succour."

Thus the warrior spake.

Joy ran thro' all the * troops, as tho' retreat
Were safety. Silently in ordered ranks

They issue forth, favoured by the deep clouds
That mantled o'er the moon. With throbbing hearts
Fearful they speeded on: some, thinking sad

Of distant England, and, now wise too late,
Cursing in bitterness that evil hour

That led them from her shores: some in faint hope
Calling to mind the comforts of their home:

*In Rymer's Foedera are two proclamations, one contra Capitaneos et Soldarios tergiversantes, incantationibus Puellæ terrificatos;" the other, "de fugitivis ab exercitu quos tcrriculamenta Puellæ exanimaverant, arestandis."

Talbot went musing on his blasted fame
Sullen and stern, and feeding on dark thoughts,

And meditating vengeance,

In the walls

Of Orleans, tho' her habitants with joy
Humbly acknowledged the high aid of Heaven,

Of many a heavy ill and bitter loss

Mindful, such mingled sentiments they felt

As one from shipwreck saved, the first warm glow Of transport past, who contemplates himself,

Preserved alone, a solitary wretch,

Possessed of life indeed, but reft of all

That makes man love to live. The Chieftains shared

The social bowl, glad of the town relieved,

And communing of that miraculous Maid,

Ronsard remarks,

Rien n'est meilleur pour l' homme soulager

Apres le mal, que le boire et manger.

Franciade.