Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/299

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BOOK THE EIGHTH.
287
Then the Maid of Arc Had pity on the vanquished; and she call'd Aloud, and cried to all the host of France, And bade them cease from slaughter. They obeyed 495 The delegated damsel. Some there were Apart that communed murmuring, and of these D'Orval address'd her. "Missioned Maid! our troops Are few in number; and to well secureThese many prisoners such a force demands, 500As should we spare might shortly make us needThe mercy we bestow: not mercy then,Rather to these our soldiers, cruelty.Justice to them, to France, and to our King,And that regard wise Nature has in each 505Implanted of self-safety, all demandTheir deaths.""Foul fall such evil policy!"The indignant Maid exclaim'd. "I tell thee, Chief, God is with us! but God shall hide his faceFrom him who sheds one drop of human blood 510

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