Had wrought unwonted sternness. From the dome Sent by the assembled Chieftains, one they met The herald of ill tidings. "6 Holy Maid " He cried, "they ask thy counsel. Burgundy "Comes in the cause of England, and his troops "Scarce three leagues from our walls, a fearful power "Rest tented for the night." "At morn I will be with them," she replied. "Meantime their welfare well shall occupy "My nightly thoughts." So saying on she past Thoughtful and silent. A brief while she mus'd, Brief, but sufficing to impel the soul, As with a strange and irresistible force, To loftiest daring. "Conrade!" she exclaim'd "I pray thee meet me at the eastern gate "With a swift steed prepared: for I must hence." Her voice was calm; nor Conrade thro' the gloom She helm'd her head; hung from her neck + the shield * A lighter kind of helmet. The shield was often worn thus. "Among the Frenchmen there was a young lusty Esquire of Gascoigne, named William Marchant, who came out among the foremost into the field, well mounted, his shield about his neck, and his spear in his hand.” Barnes. "Then the This is frequently alluded to in Romance. Knight of the burning sword stept forward, and lifting up his arm as if he would strike Cynocephal on the top of his head, seized with his left hand on the shield, which he pulled to him with so much strength, that plucking it from his neck he brought him to the ground." Amadis de Greece. Sometimes the shield was laced to the shoulder. Awaited. Her Conrade by the wall May I Maiden seek unblamed "Whither this midnight journey? may I share "The peril?" cried the warrior. She rejoin'd, "This Conrade, may not be. Alone I go. "That impulse of the soul that comes from God "Hath summon'd me. Of this remain assured, "If ought of patriot enterprize required The shield of the middle ages must not be confounded with that of the ancients. The Knight might easily bear his small shield around his neck; but the Grecian warrior stood protecting his thighs and his legs, his breast also and his shoulders with the body of his broad shield. Μήρες τε κνήμας τε κατω και στέρνα και ωμες Ασπιδος ευρείης γαστρι καλυψάμενος. ΤΥΡΤΑΙΟΣ. But the most convenient shields were used by Alarie. "Associate firmness, thou shouldst be the man, "Best-last-and only friend!" So up she sprung And left him. He beheld the warden close Fell faintly, and was lost. Swift o'er the vale Sped the good courser ; eagerly the Maid So on she past To where in loftier shade arose the tent Of Burgundy light leaping from her seat On the earth the chieftain slept, His mantle scarft around him; armed all, The sheathed falchion lay. Profound he slept, And that most calm and holiest confidence That guilt knows never. "Burgundy, thou seest "THE MAID OF ORLEANS !" As she spake, a voice Exclaim'd, "die sorceress !" and a knight rush'd in, Whose name by her illustrated yet lives, Franquet of Arras. With uplifted arm |