Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/411

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BOOK THE TENTH.
399
Insidious, with quick change then drive the steelFierce on the side expos'd. The unfaithful armsYield to the strong-driven edge; the blood streams downTheir batter'd mails. With swift eye Conrade mark'd 555The lifted buckler, and beneath impell'dHis battle-axe; that instant on his helmThe sword of Talbot fell, and with the blowShiver'd. "Yet yield thee Englishman!" exclaim'dThe generous Frank———"vain is this bloody strife: 560Me shouldst thou conquer, little would my deathAvail thee, weak and wounded!""Long enoughTalbot has lived," replied the sullen Chief:"His hour is come; yet shalt not thou surviveTo glory in his fall!" So, as he spake, 565He lifted from the ground a massy spear,And rush'd again to battle.Now more fierceThe conflict raged, for careless of himself,And desperate, Talbot fought. Collected still

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