Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/238

Thro' secret opening, shower their pointed shafts, 120
Or from the battlements the death-tipt spear
Hurl fierce. Nor from the strong arm only launch'd
The javelin fled, but driven by the strained force
Of the balista, in one carcass spent
Stay'd not; thro' arms and men it makes its way, 125
And leaving death behind, still holds its course
By many a death unclogg'd. With rapid march
Right onward they advanced, and soon the shafts,
Impell'd by that strong stroke beyond the host
Wasting their force, fell harmless. Now they reach'd 130
Where by the bayle's^[1] embattled wall in arms
The Knights of England stood. There Poynings shook
His lance, and Gladdisdale his heavy mace

For

1. Line 132. The bayle or lists was a space on the outside of the ditch, surrounded by strong pallisades, and sometimes by a low embattled wall. In the attack of fortresses, as the range of the machines then in use did not exceed the distance of four stadia, the besiegers did not carry on their approaches by means of trenches, but began their operations above ground, with the attack of the bayle or lists, where many feats of chivalry were performed by the Knights and men at arms, who considered the assault of that work as particularly belonging to them, the weight of their armour preventing them from scaling the walls. As this part was attacked by the Knights and men at arms, it was also defended by those of the same rank in the place, whence many single combats were fought here. This was at the first investing of the place.
   Grose.