BOOK THE EIGHTH.
295
I am, to spare the fallen: that gracious God
Sends me the minister of mercy forth, 640
Sends me to save this ravaged realm of France.
To England friendly as to all the world,
Foe only to the great blood-guilty ones,
The masters and the murderers of mankind."
Sends me the minister of mercy forth, 640
Sends me to save this ravaged realm of France.
To England friendly as to all the world,
Foe only to the great blood-guilty ones,
The masters and the murderers of mankind."
She said, and suddenly threw off her helm; 645
Her breast heaved high—her cheek grew red—her
Flash'd forth a wilder lustre. "Thou dost deem
That I have illy spar'd so large a band,
Disabling from pursuit our weakened troops—
God is with us!" she cried—"God is with us! 650
Our Champion manifest!"
Even as she spake,
The tower, the bridge, and all its multitudes,
Sunk with a mighty crash.
Astonishment
Seized on the French—an universal cry
Of terror burst from them. Crush'd in the fall, 655
Her breast heaved high—her cheek grew red—her
Flash'd forth a wilder lustre. "Thou dost deem
That I have illy spar'd so large a band,
Disabling from pursuit our weakened troops—
God is with us!" she cried—"God is with us! 650
Our Champion manifest!"
Even as she spake,
The tower, the bridge, and all its multitudes,
Sunk with a mighty crash.
Astonishment
Seized on the French—an universal cry
Of terror burst from them. Crush'd in the fall, 655
Or
