Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/317

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BOOK THE EIGHTH.
305
Thyself; accomplish all, and be the child
Of God. Amid these sacred haunts the groan
Of Woe is never heard; these hallowed roofs
Re-echo only to the pealing quire, 830
The chaunted mass, and Virgin's holy hymn;
Celestial sounds! secluded here, the soul
Receives a foretaste of her joys to come!
This is the abode of Piety and Peace:
Oh! be their inmate Maiden! come to rest, 835
Die to the world, and live espous'd to Heaven!"

Then Conrade answered, "Father! Heaven has doom'd
This Maid to active virtue."
"Active! Warrior!" cried
The astonish'd Priest; "thou dost not know the toils
This holy warfare asks; thou dost not know 840
How powerful the attacks that Satan makes
By sinful Nature aided! dost thou deem
It is an easy task from the fond breast
To root affection out? to burst the cords

"That