Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/304

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
292
JOAN OF ARC.
They bade him lead to battle. Forth they rush'dImpetuous. With such fury o'er the plain,Swoln by the autumnal tempest, Vega rolls 585His rapid waters, when the gathered storm,On the black hills of Cambria bursting, swellsThe tide of desolation.Then the Maid Spake to the son of Orleans, "Let our troopsFall back, so shall the English in pursuit 590Leave this strong fortress, thus an easy prey."Time was not for long counsel. From the court, Obedient to Dunois, a band of Franks Retreat, as at the irruption of their foes Disheartened; they, with shouts and loud uproar, 595Rush to their fancied conquest; JOAN, the while Placing a small but gallant garrison, Bade them secure the gates: then forth she rush'd, With such fierce onset charging on their rear, That terror smote the English, and they wish'd 600Again that they might hide them in their walls

Rashly

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.