Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/128

Deems nature sinless. Therefore, mark me well,
Brethren, I would propose this woman try
The holy ordeal. Let her, bound and stript, 460
(Lest haply in her clothes should be conceal'd
Some holy relic so profan'd) be cast
In the deep pond; there if she float, no doubt
Some fiend upholds, but if she instant sink
O'erwhelm'd, sure sign that Providence displays 465
Her free from witchcraft. This done, let her walk
Blinded and bare o'er ploughshares heated red,
And o'er these past, her naked arm plunge deep
In scalding water. If from these she pass
Unhurt, to holy father of the church 470
Most blessed Pope, we then refer the cause
For judgment: and this Chief, the Son of Orleans,
Heal'd, as he says, even at the point of death,
By her miraculous touch, shall pass with her
The sacred trial."
"Grace of God! exclaim'd 475
The astonish'd Bastard; "Plunge me in the pool,

"O'er