Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/217

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
BOOK THE SIXTH.
205
Silently stood and breath'd the inward prayer.
 Meantime the Herald had with hasty steps Rejoin'd the hallowed troops. "Maiden of God!Vainly I proffer'd peace to the proud chiefs:Their hearts are hardened."Thro' the marshall'd band 250Ran the loud cry, "Lead, lead us to the foe!" The mission'd Maid exclaim'd, "Not upon us, Not upon us, cry out the innocent blood!"Given was the signal now; and now were heard The clarion's clangor, and the trumpet's blast, 255Soul-rousing sounds. Like two conflicting clouds, Pregnant with thunder, rush'd the hostile hosts. Then man met man—then on the batter'd shield Rung the loud lance, and thro' the darken'd sky Fast fell the arrowy storm. Amidst his foes 260The Bastard's arm sway'd irresistible The strokes of death; and by his side the Maid Led the fierce fight; the Maid, tho' all unus'd

To

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.