Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/61

The blameless fisher at his perilous toil.
Upon the topmost height the Maiden saw
A meteor-lighted dome: to every blast
Shook the wide fabric, tottering as to fall,150
For ever tottering; round the tempests yell'd
Tremendous, music hoarse! yet to the ear
Of him who there had rule, the Dynast stern,
Not undelightful. His perturbed flight
Anxious and gloomy, speeding hitherwards,155
She saw the dark-wing'd Shape: with all it's towers
The palace nods: such was Ambition's voice!
Obedient first, fierce servant of fierce Lord,
Cowl'd Superstition comes, her loosen'd robes
Float on the breeze and half exposed to view160
The rusted dagger. By her side crept on
Mitred Hypocrisy, with meekest mien
And step demure, and cross, which to his heart
He prest, and seem'd with heaven-ward eye to pour
The pious prayer; yet never prayer he pour'd165
Save when with secret glance he view'd the crowd