BOOK THE EIGHTH.
287
Then the Maid of Arc
Had pity on the vanquished; and she call'd
Aloud, and cried to all the host of France,
And bade them cease from slaughter. They obeyed 495
The delegated damsel. Some there were
Apart that communed murmuring, and of these
D'Orval address'd her. "Missioned Maid! our troops
Are few in number; and to well secure
These many prisoners such a force demands, 500
As should we spare might shortly make us need
The mercy we bestow: not mercy then,
Rather to these our soldiers, cruelty.
Justice to them, to France, and to our King,
And that regard wise Nature has in each 505
Implanted of self-safety, all demand
Their deaths."
"Foul fall such evil policy!"
The indignant Maid exclaim'd. "I tell thee, Chief,
God is with us! but God shall hide his face
From him who sheds one drop of human blood 510
Had pity on the vanquished; and she call'd
Aloud, and cried to all the host of France,
And bade them cease from slaughter. They obeyed 495
The delegated damsel. Some there were
Apart that communed murmuring, and of these
D'Orval address'd her. "Missioned Maid! our troops
Are few in number; and to well secure
These many prisoners such a force demands, 500
As should we spare might shortly make us need
The mercy we bestow: not mercy then,
Rather to these our soldiers, cruelty.
Justice to them, to France, and to our King,
And that regard wise Nature has in each 505
Implanted of self-safety, all demand
Their deaths."
"Foul fall such evil policy!"
The indignant Maid exclaim'd. "I tell thee, Chief,
God is with us! but God shall hide his face
From him who sheds one drop of human blood 510
"In
