To the foe's mercy; thinking of their home, Could raise her sickly eye. Oh then what joy Inspir'd anew their bosoms, when, like clouds Moving in shadows down the distant hill, They mark'd their coming succours! in each heart "Son of my age! "Welcome young Talbot to thy first of fields. Thy father bids thee welcome, tho' disgraced, *She sternly shook her dewy locks, and brake Quarles. Baffled, and flying from a Woman's arm! "Yes, by my former glories, from a Woman! "The scourge of France! the conqueror of Men! Flying before a Woman! Son of Talbot, "Had the winds wafted thee a few days sooner, "Thou hadst seen me high in honour, and thy name "Alone had scattered armies; yet, my child, "I bid thee welcome! rest we here our flight, "And lift again the sword." So spake the chief; And well he counsell'd: for not yet the sun Had reach'd meridian height, when, o'er the plain Speed in pursuit. Soon as the troops of France Shadowing the distant plain, a general shout With clamours ominous of victory. "Baffled, and flying from a Woman's arm! "Yes, by my former glories, from a Woman! "The scourge of France! the conqueror of Men! "Flying before a Woman! Son of Talbot, "Had the winds wafted thee a few days sooner, "Thou hadst seen me high in honour, and thy name "Alone had scattered armies; yet, my child, "I bid thee welcome! rest we here our flight, "And lift again the sword." tions Failgin So spake the chief; W 11 he counsell'd: for not yet the sun 'd meridian height, when, o'er the plain. they beheld the troops of France suit. Soon as the troops of France Thus urging on, one from the adverse host Knew, and they stayed them as the Herald spake "I bear defiance to you from the Earl "William of Suffolk. Here on this fit plain, "He wills to give you battle, power to power, . "So please you, on the morrow," "On the morrow "We will join battle then," replied Dunois, "And God befriend the right!" then * on the Herald A robe rich-furred and broidered he bestowed, A costly guerdon. Thro' the army spread * When the armies of England and France lay in the plain between Vironfosse and Flemenguere, 1339, Edward sent to demand a day of battle of the French King. "An herald of the Duke of Gueldres, being well skilled in the French tongue, was sent on this errand: he rode forth till he came to the French host, where being admitted before the King and his Council, he spake aloud these words, "Sir, the King of England is here hard by in the fields, and desires to fight |