Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/219

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BOOK THE SIXTH.
207
Of Heaven's assistance firm.The clang of arms Reaches the walls of Orleans. For the war Prepar'd, and confident of victory, 285Speed forth the troops. Not when afar exhal'd The hungry raven snuffs the steam of blood That from some carcass-cover'd field of fame Taints the pure air, wings he more eagerly To riot on the gore, than rush'd the ranks; 290Impatient now for many an ill endur'd In the long siege, to wreak upon their foes Due vengeance. Then more fearful grew the fray; The swords that late flash'd to the evening sun, Now lost in blood their radiance.O'er the host 295Howl'd the deep wind that ominous of storms Roll'd on the lurid clouds. The blacken'd night Frown'd, and the thunder from the troubled sky Roar'd hollow. Javelins clash'd and bucklers rang; Shield prest on shield; loud on the helmet jarr'd 500

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