defend the cause of another. This term, adopted by several other nations, has been for many ages familiar to the English ear, as each succeeding monarch upon his coronation has been supported by his champion knight, armed cap-a-pie, who, entering Westminster hall on horseback, by sound of trumpet and by the voice of his herald dares any one to contest the monarch's just right to the crown.

CANTO VII.

ARGUMENT.

HOW DUNOIS RESCUED DOROTHY CONDEMNED TO DEATH BY THE

INQUISITION.

WHEN, in the springtide of my youth, some fair
Abandoned me to be the slave of care,

My wounded heart indignant spurned love's reign,
And left his empire fraught with just disdain;
But to offend the fair, with rage thus fraught,
In word or act, ne'er entered once my thought;
Nor would I stain my breast with rancor's deed,
Striving her future pleasures to impede.
Since thus a perjured mistress I disclaim,
More reason have I to respect the dame
Who deaf to every ardent vow will prove,
And, though I die for her, rejects my love;
'Tis cruelty to wound the youthful heart
Which cannot equal love with thine impart;
Therefore, if she for whom thy passions burn
Doth not with equal love thy love return,
Seek elsewhere for some mistress less severe,
Sufficient numbers you will find, ne'er fear;
Or else court Bacchus,' and in flowing bowl
Plunge all the yearnings of thine amorous soul.
Ah! would this prelate, rendered fierce by love,
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To drown his savage passion thus had strove;
Of female beauty, would this haughty foe
Had checked revenge in bacchanalian flow!

Soon had Dunois the fair afflicted maid
Inspired with courage, and in hope arrayed;
Still was it just that he the charge should hear
Which doomed the beauty to this lot severe.

"Oh thou!" she cried, with lovely eyes low bent, "Angel, despatched to stay fell punishment; Thou, from on high descended, knowest full well My mind unshackled is by guilty spell."

"By some strange chance unknown," Dunois

replied,

"I come, though not with heavenly powers supplied, To shield thy life from Death's relentless dart, Omnipotence alone can read the heart;

Thy soul methinks bears virtue's purest seal,
But speak, the mystery of thy tale reveal."

Fair Dorothy, from eyes of heavenly blue
Wiping the trembling drops of crystal dew,
Thus made reply: ""Tis love my bane hath

wrought;

"Knowest thou Trimouille? 'Twas he the lesson

taught."

"Yes," cried Dunois, "he ranks my best of friends,

Each virtue in his soul heroic blends;

My king a braver soldier cannot boast,

Nor is there fiercer foe to England's host;

Than him no knight can more inspire love's flame." "Ah! that's too true," she cried, 'tis sure the

same;

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Scarce hath a year elapsed-ah! woe the day,
Since he from Milan's city bent his way.
'Twas even here his vows were pledged to me;
He swore, ah! how then can I doubt but he
Must still his heart resign at Cupid's touch,
For I adore the youth, yes, far too much."

Quoth Dunois: "For his faith ne'er feel alarms,
His heart is linked forever by those charms:
I know him; as myself he'll guard the trust,
True to his love as to his sovereign just."

Dunois was mute, and straight the sufferer cried: "Thy words, my champion, cannot be denied; Thrice bless'd the hour when first my love-struck

gaze

Yielded at once to bright perfection's blaze;

Gave up a heart that felt in him combined
Each grace and virtue that adorn the mind;
Yes, I adored with feeling's fervid glow,
Scarce conscious whether yet I loved or no.

'Twas at the Archbishop's board - entrancing hour, He made confession of Love's conquering power; Ah! then an unknown fever seized my blood,

And through my veins rushed on the crimson flood;