380
JOAN OF ARC.
But there are guilty ones above the law,
Men whose black crimes exceed the utmost bound
Of private guilt; court vermin that buz round, 200
And fly-blow the King's ear, and make him waste,
In this most perilous time, his people's wealth,
And blood: immers'd one while in crimson sloth,
Heedless tho' ruin threat the realm they rule;
And now projecting some mad enterprize, 205
To certain slaughter send their wretched troops.
These are the men that make the King suspect
His wisest, faithfullest, best Counsellors;
And for themselves and their dependants, seize
All places, and all profits; and they wrest 210
To their own ends the Statutes of the land,
Or safely break them: thus, or indolent,
Or active, ruinous alike to France.
Wisely thou sayest, Warrior! that the Law
Should strike the guilty; but the voice of Justice 215
Cries out, and brings conviction as it cries;
Men whose black crimes exceed the utmost bound
Of private guilt; court vermin that buz round, 200
And fly-blow the King's ear, and make him waste,
In this most perilous time, his people's wealth,
And blood: immers'd one while in crimson sloth,
Heedless tho' ruin threat the realm they rule;
And now projecting some mad enterprize, 205
To certain slaughter send their wretched troops.
These are the men that make the King suspect
His wisest, faithfullest, best Counsellors;
And for themselves and their dependants, seize
All places, and all profits; and they wrest 210
To their own ends the Statutes of the land,
Or safely break them: thus, or indolent,
Or active, ruinous alike to France.
Wisely thou sayest, Warrior! that the Law
Should strike the guilty; but the voice of Justice 215
Cries out, and brings conviction as it cries;
"Whom
