Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/112

Astonish'd by his speech
Stood Charles. "At one of meaner estimation 160
I should have smil'd, Dunois. Thy well-known worth,
The loyalty of all thy noble house,
Compel me even to this a most strange tale
To lend a serious ear. A woman sent
From Heaven, the Saviour of this wasted realm,165
Whose magic touch awoke thee to new life
When gash'd with wounds and senseless! Son of Orleans,
Ill now beseems ought hazardous. My state
Totters upon destruction. Is my person
Known to this woman?"
"She has liv'd retir'd," 170
The Bastard answer'd, "ignorant of courts,
And little heeding, till the spirit of God
Rous'd her to this great work."
To him the King,
"She knows not then my person. Thou, Dunois,
Lead here the Maiden. On the throne meantime,175
I the while mingling with the menial throng,

"Some