Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/316

She hung, her pale lips trembling, and her cheek
As wan as tho' untenanted by life.

Then in the Priest arose the earnest hope, 810
That weary of the world and sick with woe,
The Maid might dwell with them a vestal vowed.
"Ah Damsel!" slow he spake and crost his breast,
"Ah Damsel! favoured as thou art of Heaven,
Let not thy soul beneath its sorrow sink 815
Despondent; Heaven by sorrow disciplines
The froward heart, and chastens whom it loves;
Therefore, companion of thy way of life,
Affliction thee shall wean from this vain world,
Where happiness provokes the traveller's chase, 820
And like the midnight meteor of the marsh,
Allures his long and perilous pursuit,
Then leaves him dark and comfortless. O Maid!
Fix thou thine eyes upon that heavenly dawn
Beyond the night of life! thy race is run, 825
Thou hast delivered Orleans: now perfect

Thyself;