BOOK THE FOURTH
125
Wielding so fearfully his blood-red sword, 30
His eye so fury-fired, that the pale foe
Let fall their palsied arms with powerless stroke,
Desperate of safety. I do marvel much
That he is here. Orleans must be hard press'd
When one the bravest of her garrison 35
Is thus commission'd."
Swift the Maid exclaim'd,
"I tell thee Chief, that there the English wolves
Shall never pour their yells of victory.
The will of God defends those fated walls,
And resting in full faith on that high will 40
I mock their efforts. But the night draws on;
Retire we to repose. To-morrow's sun
Breaking the darkness of the sepulchre,
Shall on that armor gleam, thro' many an age
Kept holy and inviolate by time." 45
She said, and rising from the board, retired.
His eye so fury-fired, that the pale foe
Let fall their palsied arms with powerless stroke,
Desperate of safety. I do marvel much
That he is here. Orleans must be hard press'd
When one the bravest of her garrison 35
Is thus commission'd."
Swift the Maid exclaim'd,
"I tell thee Chief, that there the English wolves
Shall never pour their yells of victory.
The will of God defends those fated walls,
And resting in full faith on that high will 40
I mock their efforts. But the night draws on;
Retire we to repose. To-morrow's sun
Breaking the darkness of the sepulchre,
Shall on that armor gleam, thro' many an age
Kept holy and inviolate by time." 45
She said, and rising from the board, retired.
Meantime the herald's brazen voice proclaimed
Coming
