"Maiden! and such the evening of my days " Fondly I hoped; and * would that I had lived "In those old times, or till some better years « Slumber'd unborn ; for this is a hard race, "An evil generation! nor by day "Nor in the night have respite from their cares But I shall be at rest "And wretchedness. "Soon, in that better world of Peace and Love «Where evil is not : in that better world « JOAN! we shall meet, and he too will be there, Thy Theodore." Sooth'd by his words, the Maid Had listened sadly, till at that loved name She wept. "Nay, Maid!" he cried, " I did not think * Μηκέτ' επειτ' ωφειλον εγω πεμπτοισι μετείναι ΗΣΙΟΔΟΣ. "To wake a tear; but pleasant is thy grief! "Thou knowest not what it is, round thy warm heart "To have a false one wreath in viper folds. "But to the battle! in the clang of arms, "We win forgetfulness. Then from the bank He sprung, and helm'd his head. The Maid arose, On to the fort they speed, whose name recall'd And vainly wishing they from her white clifts Tho' Talbot there presided, with their Chief, "Soldiers fam'd in arms !" Thus, in vain hope to renovate the strength Of England, spake the Chief, " Victorious friends, "So oft victorious in the hard-fought fight, "What-shrink ye now dismay'd? have ye forgot "The plains of Azincour, when vanquish'd France "Fled with her thousands from your father's arms, "Tho' worn with sickness? or your own exploits, "When on Verneuil, the flower of chivalry "Fell by your daring prowess? when the Scot "Bit the red earth in death, and Narbonne died, "And the young boaster this Alencon felt "The weight of English fetters? then we broke "The plated shield, and cleft the warrior's helm, "For ever victors. On Baugenci's wall "Ye placed the English flag; beneath your force "Fell Jenville and Gergeau, the neighbouring towns "Of well-nigh captur'd Orleans. I omit "To speak of Caen subdued, and vanquish'd Roan, "And that late day when Clermont fled the fight. "And the young Bastard of that prison'd Duke. "Shame! shame! that beaten Boy is here in arms, "And ye will fly before the fugitives; "Fly from a woman! from a frenzied girl! "Aid of the Devil! who is there among you From the heartless host A timid shout arose; then Talbot's cheek Grew red with indignation. "Earl!" he cried, Addressing him the Chief: "there is no hope "From these white-liver'd dastards; and this fort "Will fall an easy conquest: it were well "To reach the Tournelles, better fortified, "Fit to endure long siege: the hope in view "To reach a safer fortress, these our troops "Shall better dare the battle." So he spake, Wisely advising. Him the Chief replied: "Well hast thou said: and, Talbot, if our swords "Could thro' the thickest ranks this Sorceress reach, "The hopes of France were blasted. I have strove "In many a field, yet never to a foe Stoop'd my proud crest: nor difficult to meet "This wizard girl, for from the battlements, "Her have I mark'd the foremost in attack, Playing right valiantly the soldier's part; "Yet shall not all her witcheries avail "To blunt my good sword's edge." Thus communed they, And thro' the host the gladdening tidings ran, That they should seek the Tournelles. Then their hearts Gathered new strength, placing on those strong walls Dependence; empty hope! nor the strong wall, Nor the deep moat can save, if Fear within Palsy the soldier's arm. Them issuing forth, As from the river's banks they past along, The Maid beheld!" Lo! Conrade!" she exclaim'd, "The foes advance to meet us-look! they lower |
