220
JOAN OF ARC.
From base declining; at just distance rose
The frequent buttress, and thrice twenty forts
Lifted aloft their turret-crowned heads, 15
All firm and massy. But of these most firm
As tho' of some large castle each the Keep
Stood six square fortresses with turrets flank'd,
Piles of unequall'd strength—tho' now deem'd weak
'Gainst puissance more than mortal, and the flames 20
Shot from celestial banner. Safely hence
The skilful archer entering with his eye
The city, might himself the while unseen,
Thro' the long opening, shower his winged deaths.
Loire's waves diverted fill'd the deep-dug moat 25
Circling the pile, a bulwark vast, as what
Round their disheartened camp and stranded ships
The Greeks uprear'd, a common sepulchre
Of thousands slaughter'd, and the doom'd death-place
Of many a Chief, when Priam's patriot son 30
Rush'd in his wrath and scattered their pale tribes.
The frequent buttress, and thrice twenty forts
Lifted aloft their turret-crowned heads, 15
All firm and massy. But of these most firm
As tho' of some large castle each the Keep
Stood six square fortresses with turrets flank'd,
Piles of unequall'd strength—tho' now deem'd weak
'Gainst puissance more than mortal, and the flames 20
Shot from celestial banner. Safely hence
The skilful archer entering with his eye
The city, might himself the while unseen,
Thro' the long opening, shower his winged deaths.
Loire's waves diverted fill'd the deep-dug moat 25
Circling the pile, a bulwark vast, as what
Round their disheartened camp and stranded ships
The Greeks uprear'd, a common sepulchre
Of thousands slaughter'd, and the doom'd death-place
Of many a Chief, when Priam's patriot son 30
Rush'd in his wrath and scattered their pale tribes.
But
