Book the Third

The early sun beams on the latticed cot;
Up spring the travellers, and along their way
Holding high converse speed. So as they pass,
Fast by a spring that welling at his feet
With many a winding crept along the mead,
A Knight they saw. He at his plain repast
Felt the West wind play round his ungirt brow.
Him, drawing near the Bastard recogniz'd,
The gallant friend of Orleans, the brave chief
"Chastel; and the mutual greeting pass'd,
They on the streamlet's mossy brink reclin'd,
Paus'd on their way, the frugal fare partook
And drank the running waters.
"Art thou bound
"For the Court Dunois?" exclaim'd the aged Knight,
"I deem'd thee far away, coop'd in the walls
"Orleans; a hard siege her valiant sons
"Right loyally endure."
"I left the town,"
Dunois reply'd, "thinking that my prompt speed
"Might seize the hostile stores, and with fresh force
"Re-enter. Fastolffe's better fate prevail'd,
"And from the field of shame my maddening horse
"Bore me, for the barb'd arrow gor'd his flank.
"Fatigued and faint with that day's dangerous toil,
"My deep wounds bleeding, vainly with weak hand
"Check'd I the powerless rein. Now thus reviv'd
"By Heaven's high aid, I seek the Court, and thence
"To that beleager'd town shall lead such force
"That the proud English in their fields of blood
"Shall perish."
"I too," Tannegui reply'd,
"May haply in the battle once again
"Serve him my Royal Master; in his cause
"My youth adventur'd much, nor can my age
"Find better close than in the clang of arms
"To die for him whom I have liv'd to serve.
"Thou art for the Court; Son of the Chief I lov'd!
"e: Be wise by my experience. Look not thou
"For happiness in that polluted scene.
"Thou see'st me here Dunois, a banish'd man,
"A not unwilling exile to appease
"The proud and powerful Richemont, who long time
"Most sternly jealous of the royal ear
"With midnight murder leagues, and down the Loire,
"Rolls the black carcase of his strangled foe.
"Now confident of strength, at the King's feet
"He stabs the King's best friends, and then demands,
"As with a conqueror's imperious tone,
"The post of honor. Son of that lov'd Chief
"Whose death my arm aveng'd, may thy days
"Be happy; serve thy country in the field,
"And in the hour of peace amid thy friends
"Dwell thou without ambition."
So he spake.
But when the Bastard told the wond'rous tale,
How interposing Heaven had its high aid
Vouchsafed to France, the old man's eyes flash'd fire,
And rising from the bank, the stately steed
That graz'd beside he mounts. "Farewell Dunois,
"Thou too the Delegate of Heaven, farewell!
"I go to raise the standard — we shall meet
"At Orleans." O'er the plain he spurr'd his steed.
They journey on their way till Chinon's towers.
Rose to the distant view; imperial seat
Of Charles, for Paris with her servile sons
A headstrong mutable ferocious race,
Bow'd to the invader's yoke, since that sad hour
When Faction o'er her streets with giant stride
Strode terrible, and Murder and Revenge,
As by the midnight torches' lurid light
They mark'd their mangled victims writhe convuls'd,
Listen'd the deep death groan. Ill-fated scene!
Thro' many a dark age drench'd with innocent blood,
And one day doom'd to know the damning guilt
Of Brissot murder'd, and the blameless wife
Of Roland! Martyr'd patriots — spirits pure,
Wept by the good ye fell! Yet still survives
Sow'd by your toil and by your blood manur'd
Th' imperishable seed, soon to become
That Tree, beneath whose vast and mighty shade
The sons of men shall pitch their tents in peace,
And in the unity of truth preserve
The bond of love. For by the eye of God
Hath Virtue sworn, that never one good act.
Was work'd in vain!
In Paris triumph'd now
Th' Invader. On a cradled infant's head
Had Bedford plac'd the crown of Charlemagne,
And factious nobles bow'd the subject knee
In homage to their King, their Sovereign Lord,
Their baby mighty one.
"Belov'd of Heaven,"
So spake the Son of Orleans as they pass'd,
"Lo these the walls of Chinon, this the abode
"Of Charles our monarch. Here in revelry
"He of his armies vanquish'd, his fair towns
"Subdu'd, hears careless and prolongs the dance.
"And little marvel I that to the cares
"Of empire still he turns the unwilling ear,
"For loss on loss, defeat upon defeat,
"His strong holds taken, and his bravest Chiefs
"Or dead or captur'd, and the hopes of youth
"All blasted, have subdu'd the royal mind
"Undisciplin'd in Fortitude's stern school.
"So may thy voice arouse his sleeping virtues!"

The mission'd maid reply'd, "Go thou Dunois,
"Announce my mission to the royal ear.
"I on the river's winding banks the while
"Would roam, collecting for high enterprize
"My thoughts, troubled tho' firm. He who essays
"Atchievements of vast import will perforce
"Feel his heart heave; and in my breast I feel
"Such perturbation."
On the banks of Vienne
Devious the Damsel turn'd. Thro' Chinon's gates
The Son of Orleans press'd with rapid step
Seeking the King. Him from the public view-
He found secluded with his blameless Queen,
And her partaker of the unlawful bed,
The lofty-minded Agnes.
"Son of Orleans!"
So as he enter'd cried the haughty fair,
"Thou art well come to witness the disgrace,
"The weak, unmanly, mean despondency
"Of this thy Sovereign Liege. He will retreat
"To distant Dauphine and fly the war!
"Go then, unworthy of thy rank! retreat
"To distant Dauphine, and fly the war,
"Recreant from Battle! I will not partake
"A fugitive's fate, but to my home returning
"In bitterness of memory curse the hour
"When to a coward basely I resign'd
"My virgin worth."
"Nay Agnes," Charles replied,
"Add not the anguish of thy keen reproach!
"I have enough of sorrow. Look around,
"See this fair country ravag'd by the foe,
"My strong holds taken, and my bravest Chiefs
"Fall'n in the field, or captives far away.
"Dead is the Douglas — cold thy warrior frame,
"Illustrious Buchan; ye from Scotland's hills,
"Not mindless of your old ally distress'd,
"Rush'd to his succour: in his cause ye fought,
"Ye perish'd. Gallant rash ill-destin'd Nabonne!
"Thy mangled corse waves to the winds of Heaven.
"Cold, Graville, is thy sinewy arm in death.
"Fall'n is Ventadaur. Silent in the grave
"Ramboilillet sleeps. Bretagne's unfaithful chief
"Leagues with my foes, and Richemont or in arms
"Defies my weak controul, or from my side,
"(A friend more dreaded than the enemy)
"Drives my best servants with the assassin sword.
"Soon must the towers of Orleans fall. But now
"These sad thoughts boot not. Welcome to our court,
"Dunois! We yet can give the friendly feast,
"And from the heavy cares of empire win
"One hospitable day of merriment.

"The Chief reply'd, "So may thy future years
"Pass from misfortune free, as all these ills
"Shall vanish like a vision of the night!
"To thee, to France I come the messenger
"Of aid from Heaven. The delegated Maid
"With me, whom Providence all-wise decrees
"The saviour of the realm. Me, gash'd with wounds,
"And in mine own blood senseless on the plain,
"This more than mortal with celestial touch,
"Woke to new life."
Astonish'd by his speech
Stood Charles. "At one of meaner estimation
"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,
"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,"
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,
"I the while mingling with the menial throng,
"Some courtier shall be seated. If this Maid
"Be by the holy spirit of God inspir'd,
"That holy spirit will gift her with the power
"To pierce deception. But if strange of mind
"Enthusiast fancy fire her wilder'd brain,
"Thus prov'd, she to obscurity again
"May guiltlessly retire. Our English foes
"Might well exult to see the sons of France
"Led by a frenzied female." So he said;
And confident in faith the son of Orleans
Sought on the banks of Vienne the missioned Maid.

Soon is the court conven'd; the jewell'd crown
Shines on a menial's head. Amid the throng
The Monarch stands, and anxious for the event,
His heart beats high. She comes — the inspired maid!
And as the Bastard led her to the throne,
Quick glancing o'er the mimic Majesty,
Fix'd full her eye on Charles.
"Thou art the King.
"I come the avenging Delegate of Heaven,
"Wielding the wrathful weapon, from whose death,
"Their stern hearts palsied by the arm of God,
"Far from Orleans shall the English wolves
"Speed their disastrous flight. Monarch of France!
"Spread the good tidings through thy ravag'd realm.
"The Maid is come — the mission'd Maid — whose hand
"Shall in the consecrated walls of Rheims
"Place on thy head the crown."
In wonder mute
The courtiers heard. The astonish'd King exclaim'd
"This is indeed the agency of Heaven!
"Hard, Maiden, were I of belief," he cried,
"Did I not now with full and confirm'd faith
"Thee the redeemer of this ravag'd realm
"Believe. Not doubting therefore the strange will
"Of the all-wise, nor those high miracles
"Vouch'd by the Son of Orleans, do I now
"Delay to marshal the brave sons of France
"Beneath thy banners; but to satisfy
"Those who at distance from this most clear proof
"May hear and disbelieve, or yield at best
"A cold assent. These fully to confirm
"And more to manifest thy holy power,
"Forthwith with all due speed I shall convene
"The Doctors of Theology, wise men
"And skilful in the mysteries of Heaven.
"By these thy mission studied and approv'd,
"As needs it must be; of these holy men
"The sanction to the dubious minds of all
"Shall bring conviction, and the firm belief
"Lead on thy favour'd troops to mightiest deeds,
"Surpassing human credibility."

Well pleas'd the maiden heard. Her the King leads
From the disbanding throng, meantime to dwell
With Mary. Watchfull for her Lord's return
She sat with Agnes. Agnes proud of heart,
Majestically fair, whose large full eye
Or flashing anger, or with scornful scowl
Deform'd her beauteous features. Yet with her
The lawless idol of the Monarch's heart,
Mary, obedient to her husband's will,
Dwelt peaceful, from the proudly generous mind
Of Agnes winning friendship. Soon the Maid
Lov'd the mild Queen, and sojourning with her,
Expects the solemn summons.
Thro' the realm
Meantime the King's convoking voice was heard,
And from their palaces and monasteries
Swarm'd forth the Doctors, men acute and deep,
Grown grey in study; Priests and Bishops haste
To Chinon. — Teachers wise and with high names,
Seraphic, Subtile, or Irrefragable,
By their admiring pupils dignified.

Nor Superstition to embrace the hour
Neglect-s. She hastens from the -English court,
Where mad Ferocity led the holy war,
Arm'd with the mitred helmet. By her side
Inanely learn'd, came reverend Ignorance,
His grey eye large and rayless; o'er his beads
Aye wont to mutter forth the drowsy prayer.
And meet companion came with these the form
Of Cruelty, like monk Dominican
His garb. One hand Tertullian's volume grasp'd,
Volume beloved! and high the other rear'd
The thirsty sword, whose impious hilt display'd
The cross. These join'd the theologic train.

The Doctors met — from cloister gloom recluse
Or from the haunts luxurious of the abode,
Episcopal they met, and sought the place
Of judgment. Very ancient was the dome,
The floor with many a monumental stone
O'erspread, and brass-ensculptur'd effigy
Of holy abbots honor'd in their day,
Now to the grave gone down. The branching arms
Of many a ponderous pillar met aloft,
Wreath'd on the roof emboss'd. The windows gleam'd
Awful and dim their many-colour'd light
Thro' the rich robes of Eremites and Saints,
Trees, mountains, castles, ships, sun, moon, and stars,
Splendid confusion! the pure wave beneath
Reflects and trembles in the purpling beam.
On the altar burns that mystic lamp whose flame
May not be quench'd.
Circling round the vase
They bow the knee, uttering the half-heard prayer;
Mysterious power communicating thus
To the hallowed water, deem'd a mightier spell
"the fierce fiends of Satan's fallen crew,.
Than e'er the hell-hags taught in Thessaly,
Or they who sitting on the rifled grave,
Seen by th' exhalations lurid light,
Partake the Vampire's banquet.
This perform'd,
The maid is summon'd. Round the holy vase
Mark'd with the mystic tonsure and enrob'd
In sacred vests, a venerable train
They stand. The delegated Maid obeys
Their summons. As she came a loveliest blush
"her fair cheek suffus'd, such as became
One mindful still of maiden modesty,
Tho' of her own worth conscious. Thro' the aisle
The cold wind moaning as it pass'd along
Wav'd her dark flowing locks. Before the train
In reverend silence waiting their sage will,
With half averted eye she stood compos'd.
So have I seen the simple snow-drop rise
Amid the russet leaves that hide the earth
In early spring, so seen its gentle bend
Of modest loveliness amid the waste
Of desolation.
By the maiden's side
Proud in conviction stood the warrior Son
Of Orleans to avow his deep wounds heal'd
By power miraculous vouchsaf'd from Heaven
To her the inspir'd damsel. As he stood,
Viewing with steady eye the magic rites
Of preparation, thus the arch Priest spake
Severe.
"Woman, if any fiend of hell
"Lurk in thy bosom so to prompt the vaunt.
"Of inspiration, and to mock the power
"Of God and holy church, thus by the virtue
"Of water hallow'd by the name of God
"That damned spirit adjure I to depart
"From his possessed prey. Detected thus
"Thy impious wiles, to th' ecclesiastic arm
"Thou must deliver'd purge in flames the crime
"Atrocious."
Thus he spake, and dash'd the wave
With hand unsparing on the virgin's face:
The water shone upon her glowing cheek
Like morning dew-drops on the opening rose.
Indignant at th' unworthy charge the Maid
Felt her cheek flush, but soon, the transient glow
Fading, she answer'd meek.
"Most holy Sires,
"Ye reverend Fathers of the Christian church
"Most catholic! before your view I stand
"A poor weak woman. Of the grace vouchsafe!,
"How far unworthy conscious: yet tho' mean,
"Guiltless of ill, and chosen by highest heaven
"The minister of aid. Strange voices heard,
"The dark and shadowing visions of the night,
"And that miraculous power that thro' the frame,
"Then gored with wounds and senseless, of Dunois,
"Pour'd rapid the full tide of life and health,
"These portents make me conscious of the God
"Within me — he who gifted my purg'd eye
"To know the Monarch 'mid the menial throng,
"Unseen before. Thus much it boots to say.
"The life of simple virgin ill deserves
"To call your minds from studies wise and deep,
"Not to be fathom'd by the weaker sense
"Of man profane."
Blushing the Maiden spake.
Thus then the Father:
"Brethren ye have heard
"The woman's tale. Beseems us now to ask
"Whether of holy church a duteous child
"Before our court appears, so not unlike
"Heaven might vouchsafe its gracious miracle:
"Or silly heretic whose erring thoughts
"Monstrous and vain perchance might stray beyond
"All reason, and conceit strange dreams and signs
"Impossible? Say, woman, from thy youth
"Hast thou (as rightly mother church demands)
"To holy Priest confess'd each secret sin,
"So purg'd by grace to him vouchsaf'd from Heaven,
"Of absolution?
"Father," she replied,
"In forest shade my infant years train'd up
"Knew not devotion's forms. The chaunted mass,
"The silver altar and religious robe,
"The mystic wafer and the hallowed cup,
"Gods priest-created, are to me unknown.
"Beneath no high-arch'd roof I bow'd in prayer,
"No solemn light by storied pane disguis'd,
"No trophied pillars, and no imag'd cross
"Wak'd my young mind to artificial awe,
"To fear the God I only learnt to love.
"I saw th' eternal energy pervade
"The boundless range of nature, with the Sun
"Pour life and radiance from his flamy path,
"And on the lowliest flowret in the field
"The kindly dew-drops shed. All nature's voice
"Proclaim'd the all-good Parent; nor myself
"Deem'd I by him neglected. This good Power
"My more than Father taught my youth to know,
"Knowing to love, and loving to adore.
"At earliest morn to him my grateful heart
"Pour'd forth th' unstudied prayer, that spake my thanks
"For mercies oft vouchsaf'd, and humbly ask'd
"Protection yet to come. Each flower, that bloom'd
"Expanding in the new-born spring, call'd forth
"The soul of full devotion. Every morn
"My soaring spirit glorified the God
"Of light, and every evening thank'd the Power
"Preserving thro' the day. For sins confest
"To holy Priest and absolution given
"I knew them not; for ignorant of sin
"Why should I seek forgiveness? Of the points
"Abstruse of nice religion, and the bounds
"Subtile and narrow which confine the path
"Of orthodox belief, my artless creed
"Knew nought. 'Twas Nature taught my early youth
"Religion — Nature bade me see the God
"Confest in all that lives, and moves, and is."

She spake energic. The full force of truth
Breath'd from her lips. Appall'd the Doctors stood
In vacant wonder, listening to the sounds
Unwonted; till at last a Priest replied:

"Woman, of holy church thou seemst to scorn
"Prophane the mighty power; nay more — thy lips
"Confess that nature taught thee thy religion.
"This is heretical, and thou thyself
"Hast proved it impious; for thou hast declared
"Masses and absolution and the use
"Of mystic wafer are to thee unknown.
"How then could nature teach thee true religion,
"Depriv'd of these? Nature can teach to sin,
"But 'tis the Priest alone can teach remorse,
"Can bid St. Peter ope the gates of Heaven,
"And from the penal fires of purgatory
"Absolve the soul. Could nature teach thee this?
"Or tell thee that St. Peter holds the keys,
"And that his successors' unbounded power
"Extends o'er either world? Altho' thy life
"Of sin were free, if of this holy truth
"Ignorant, thy soul in liquid flames must rue
"Transgression."
Thus he spake, the applauding look
Went round. Nor dubious to reply the Maid
Was silent.
"Fathers of the holy church,
"If on these points abstruse a simple maid
"Like me, should err, impute not you the crime
"To self-will'd wisdom, vaunting its own strength
"Above omnipotence. Tis true my youth,
"Conceal'd in forest gloom, knew not the sound
"Of mass high-chaunted, nor with trembling lips
"I touch'd the mystic wafer: yet the Bird
"That to the matin ray prelusive pour'd
"His joyous song, methought did warble forth
"Sweeter thanksgiving to Religion's ear
"In his wild melody of happiness,
"Than ever rung along the high-arch'd roofs
"Of man. Yet never from the bending vine
"Pluck'd I its ripen'd clusters thanklessly,
"Of that good God unmindful, who bestow'd
"The bloodless banquet. Ye have told me, Sires,
"That Nature only teaches man to sin!
"If it be sin to seek the wounded lamb,
"To bind its wounds, and bathe them with my tears,
"This is what Nature taught! No, Reverends! no,
"It is not Nature that can teach to sin:
"Nature is all Benevolence — all Love,
"All Beauty! In the greenwood's simple shade
"There is no vice that to the indignant cheek
"Bids the red current rush No misery there —
"No wretched mother, that with pallid face
"And famine-fall'n, hangs o'er her hungry babes,
"With such a look, so wan, so woe-begone,
"As shall one day, with damning eloquence,
"Against the mighty plead! Nature teach sin!
"O blasphemy against the Holy One,
"Who made us in the image of himself,
"Who made us all for Happiness and Love,
"Infinite happiness — infinite love,
"Partakers of his own eternity.

"Solemn and slow the reverend Priest replied,
"Much, woman, do I doubt that all-wise Heaven
"Would thus vouchsafe its gracious miracles
"On one fore-doom'd to misery; for so doom'd
"Is that deluded one, who, of the mass
"Unheeding, and the Church's saving power,.
"Deems nature sinless. Therefore, mark me well,

Brethren, I would propose this woman try

The holy ordeal. Let her, bound and stript,
"(Lest haply in her clothes should be conceal'd
"Some holy relic so profan'd) be cast
"In the deep pond; there if she float, no doubt
"Some fiend upholds, but if she instant sink
"O'erwhelm'd, sure sign that Providence displays
"Her free from witchcraft. This done, let her walk
"Blinded and bare o'er ploughshares heated red,
"And o'er these past, her naked arm plunge deep
"In scalding water. If from these she pass
"Unhurt, to holy father of the church
"Most blessed Pope, we then refer the cause
"For judgment: and this Chief, the Son of Orleans,
"Heal'd, as he says, even at the point of death,
"By her miraculous touch, shall pass with her
"The sacred trial."
"Grace of God!" exclaim'd
"The astonish'd Bastard; "Plunge me in the pool,
"O'er red-hot ploughshares make me dance to please
"Your dotard fancies! Fathers of the church,
"Where is your gravity? what elder-like
"This fairer than Susannah would you eye?
"Ye call for ordeals — and I too demand
"The noblest ordeal, on the English host
"To prove in victory the mission sent
"From favoring Heaven. To the Pope refer
"For judgment! Know ye not that France even now
"Stands tottering on destruction!
Starting wild,
With a strange look, the mission'd Maid exclaim'd,
"The sword of God is here! the grave shall speak
"To manifest me!
Even as she spake,
A pale blue flame rose from the trophied tomb
Besides her. A deep silence thro' the dome
Dwelt awful. Sudden from that house of death
The clash of arms was heard, as thos within
The shrouded warrior shook his mailed limbs.

Hear ye," the Damsel cried; these are the arms
"That shall flash terror o'er the hostile host.
"These, in the presence of our Lord the King,
"And the assembled people, I shall take
"From this the sepulchre, where many an age
"Incorruptible they have lain conceal'd,
"Destin'd for me, the Delegate of Heaven.

"Recovering from amaze, the Priest replied:
"Thou art indeed the delegate of Heaven!
"What thou hast said surely thou shalt perform!
"We ratify thy mission. Go in peace.