Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/295

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BOOK THE EIGHTH.
283
Wage equal battle.Burning at the sightWith indignation, Glacidas beheldHis troops fly scattered; fast on every sideThe foes up-rushing eager to their spoil;The holy standard waving; and the Maid 425Fierce in pursuit. "Speed but this arrow Heaven!"The Chief exclaim'd, "and I shall fall content."So saying, he his sharpest quarrel chose,And fix'd the bow-string, and against the MaidLevelling, let loose: her arm was rais'd on high 430To smite a fugitive: he glanced aside,Shunning her deadly stroke, and thus receiv'dThe Chieftain's arrow: thro' his ribs it pass'd,And cleft that vessel, whence the purer blood,Thro' many a branching channel o'er the frame 435Meanders."Fool!" the enraged Chief exclaim'd,"Would she had slain thee! thou hast lived too long."Again he aim'd his arbalist: the string

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