248
JOAN OF ARC.
Wisely advising. Him the Chief replied:
"Well hast thou said; and, Talbot, if our swords 530
Could thro' the thickest ranks this Sorceress reach,
The hopes of France were blasted. I have strove
In many a field, yet never to a foe
Stoop'd my proud crest: nor difficult to meet
This wizard girl, for from the battlements, 535
Her have I mark'd the foremost in attack,
Playing right valiantly the soldier's part;
Yet shall not all her witcheries avail
To blunt my good sword's edge."
Thus communed they,
And thro' the host the gladdening tidings ran, 540
That they should seek the Tournelles. Then their hearts
Gathered new strength, placing on those strong walls
Dependence; empty hope! nor the strong wall,
Nor the deep moat can save, if Fear within
Palsy the soldier's arm.
Them issuing forth, 545
As from the river's banks they past along,
"Well hast thou said; and, Talbot, if our swords 530
Could thro' the thickest ranks this Sorceress reach,
The hopes of France were blasted. I have strove
In many a field, yet never to a foe
Stoop'd my proud crest: nor difficult to meet
This wizard girl, for from the battlements, 535
Her have I mark'd the foremost in attack,
Playing right valiantly the soldier's part;
Yet shall not all her witcheries avail
To blunt my good sword's edge."
Thus communed they,
And thro' the host the gladdening tidings ran, 540
That they should seek the Tournelles. Then their hearts
Gathered new strength, placing on those strong walls
Dependence; empty hope! nor the strong wall,
Nor the deep moat can save, if Fear within
Palsy the soldier's arm.
Them issuing forth, 545
As from the river's banks they past along,
The
