BOOK THE FOURTH.
149
The astonish'd King, 470
Trembled like Felix, when the Apostle spake
Of righteousness to come.
And now Dunois,
Poising a javelin, came with hasty step:
His eye beam'd exultation.
"Thou hast rous'd
The sleeping virtue of the sons of France; 475
They croud around the standard," cried the chief.
"My lance is ponderous; I have sharp'd my sword
To meet the mortal combat. Mission'd Maid,
Our brethren sieged in Orleans, every moment
Gaze from the watch-tower with the sick'ning eye 480
Of expectation."
Rous'd from his amaze,
And trusting by religion's forms observ'd,
With scrupulous care, to atone for the foul breach
Of her first duties, thus the King exclaim'd:
"O chosen by Heav'n, defer awhile thy march, 485
"That o'er the land my Heralds may proclaim
Trembled like Felix, when the Apostle spake
Of righteousness to come.
And now Dunois,
Poising a javelin, came with hasty step:
His eye beam'd exultation.
"Thou hast rous'd
The sleeping virtue of the sons of France; 475
They croud around the standard," cried the chief.
"My lance is ponderous; I have sharp'd my sword
To meet the mortal combat. Mission'd Maid,
Our brethren sieged in Orleans, every moment
Gaze from the watch-tower with the sick'ning eye 480
Of expectation."
Rous'd from his amaze,
And trusting by religion's forms observ'd,
With scrupulous care, to atone for the foul breach
Of her first duties, thus the King exclaim'd:
"O chosen by Heav'n, defer awhile thy march, 485
"That o'er the land my Heralds may proclaim
A general
