330
JOAN OF ARC.
Reaching the destined spot. The Fiend leapt out,
And from the coffin, as he led the Maid,
Exclaim'd, "Where never yet stood mortal man,
Thou standest: look around this boundless vault;
Observe the dole that Nature deals to man, 310
And learn to know thy friend."
She not replied,
Observing where the Fates their several tasks
Plied ceaseless. "Mark how short the longest web
Allowed to man!" he cried; "observe how soon,
Twin'd round yon never-resting wheel, they change 315
Their snowy hue, darkening thro' many a shade,
Till Atropos relentless shuts the sheers!
And from the coffin, as he led the Maid,
Exclaim'd, "Where never yet stood mortal man,
Thou standest: look around this boundless vault;
Observe the dole that Nature deals to man, 310
And learn to know thy friend."
She not replied,
Observing where the Fates their several tasks
Plied ceaseless. "Mark how short the longest web
Allowed to man!" he cried; "observe how soon,
Twin'd round yon never-resting wheel, they change 315
Their snowy hue, darkening thro' many a shade,
Till Atropos relentless shuts the sheers!
Too true he spake, for of the countless threads,
Drawn from the heap, as white as unsunn'd snow,
Or as the lovely lilly of the vale, 320
Was never one beyond the little span
Of infancy untainted: few there were
But lightly tinged; more of deep crimson hue,
Drawn from the heap, as white as unsunn'd snow,
Or as the lovely lilly of the vale, 320
Was never one beyond the little span
Of infancy untainted: few there were
But lightly tinged; more of deep crimson hue,
Or
