Essayed to pierce those arms that even the power Him falling Talbot saw. On the next foe, With rage and anguish wild, the Warrior turn'd; His ill-directed weapon to the earth Drove down the unwounded Frank: he lifts the sword And thro' his all-in-vain imploring hands Cleaves the poor suppliant. On that dreadful day *This inscription was upon the sword of Talbot.-" Sum "Talboti pro vincere inimicos suos." A sword with bad Made good its yaunt. Amid the heaps his arm Fled fast, all panic-struck and spiritless; Latin upon it, but good steel within it, says Fuller. It was probably not uncommon to bear a motto upon the sword. Lope de Vega describes that of Aguila as bearing inlaid in gold, a verse of the psalms. It was, he says, Mas famosa que fue de hombre cenida, Para ocasiones del honor guardada, Y en ultima defensa de la vida, Jerusalen Conquistada. * In the original letters published by Mr. Fenn, Fastolffe appears in a very unfavourable light. Henry Windsor writes thus of him," hit is not unknown that cruelle and vengible False to his former fame; for he beheld But Talbot now A moment paused, for bending thitherwards he hath byn ever, and for the most part with aute pite and mercy. I can no more, but vade et corripe eum, for truly he cannot bryng about his matiers in this word (world), for the word is not for him. I suppose it wolnot chaunge yett be likelenes, but i beseche you sir help not to amend hym onely, but every other man yf ye kno any mo mysse disposed." The order of the Garter was taken from Fastolffe for his conduct at Patay. He suffered a more material loss in the money he expended in the service of the state. In 1455, 4083. 15. 7. were due to him for costs and charges during his services in France, "whereof the sayd Fastolff hath had nouther payement nor assignation." So he complains. "His utmost force. Of strong and stately port The onward foeman moved, and bore on high A battle-axe, in many a field of blood Known by the English Chieftain. Over heaps Of slaughtered, strode the Frank, and bade the troops Retire from the bold Earl: then Conrade spake. "Vain is thy valour Talbot! look around, See where thy squadrons fly! but thou shalt lose "No glory, by their cowardice subdued, "Performing well thyself the soldier's part." "And let them fly !" the indignant Earl exclaimed, "And let them fly! but bear thou witness, Chief! "That guiltless of this day's disgrace, I fall. "But Frenchman! Talbot will not tamely fall, "Or unrevenged." So saying, for the war He stood prepared: nor now with heedless rage Insidious, with quick change then drive the steel Yield to the strong-driven edge; the blood streams down His battle-axe; that instant on his helm The sword of Talbot fell, and with the blow Shivered. "Yet yield thee Englishman !" exclaimed The generous Frank-" vain is this bloody strife: "Me shouldst thou conquer, little would my death "Avail thee, weak and wounded!" "Long enough "Talbot has lived," replied the sullen Chief: "To glory in his fall!" So, as he spake, He lifted from the ground a massy spear, And rushed again to battle. Now more fierce The conflict raged, for careless of himself, And desperate, Talbot fought. Collected still |