Robert Southey

“ If she be young and fair
No worthless prize my Lords. Go tell your Maid 205
Joyful we wait her coming."
"Get thee gone,"
Sternly cried Talbot, "thou who think'st to scare
With girlish phantasies the English host
That scorns your bravest warriors. Hie thee hence,
Insolent Herald! tell this frantic girl, 210
This courtly minion, to avoid my wrath,
For if she dares the war, I will not stain
My good-blood-rusted sword—but she shall meet
The mockery of the camp."
"Nay, scare her not,"
Replied their Chief, "go tell this Maid of Orleans, 215
That Salisbury longs to meet her in the fight. ”

“ It was the belief of the Mexicans, that at the conclusion of one of their centuries the sun and earth would be destroyed. On the last night of every century they extinguished all their fires, covered the faces of the women and children, and expected the end of the world. The kindling of the sacred fire on the mountain of Huixachtla was believed an omen of their safety. ”

“ Victorious upon Orleans' wall shall wave
The holy banner."
Wonder made a pause; 200
To this the laugh succeeds. "What!" Fastolffe cried,
"A woman warrior has your monarch sent
To save devoted Orleans?" ”

“ Some peaceful messenger, who shall make known
The will of Heaven. So timely warn'd, our foes
Haply may yet repent, and quit in peace
Besieged Orleans. Victory is sad
When even one man is murder'd."
So she said, 160
And as she spake a soldier from the ranks
Advanced. "I will be thy Messenger,
Maiden of God! I to the English camp
Will bear thy bidding."
"Go," the Virgin cried,
"Say to the Chief of Salisbury, and the host 165
Attending—Suffolk, Fastolffe, Talbot, Scales,
Invaders of the country—say, thus says
The Maid of Orleans. "With your troops retire
In peace. ”

“ Scud o'er the plain, when frequent thro' the sky 370
Flash the fierce lightnings, speed the routed host
Of England. To the sheltering forts they haste,
Tho' safe, of safety doubtful, still appall'd
And trembling, as the pilgrim who by night
On his way wilder'd, to the wolf's deep howl 375
Hears the wood echo, when from the fell beast
Escap'd, of some tall tree the topmost branch
He grasps close-clinging, still of that keen fang
Fearful, his teeth jar, and the big drops stand
On his cold quiv'ring limbs.
Nor now the Maid 380
Greedy of vengeance urges the pursuit. ”

“ Free from blood-guiltiness, shall meet the war." 225
So saying he departed. Thro' the tents
As him the centinel conduced, round
He gaz'd and cried; "Oh! I am sad to think
So many men shall never see the sun
Go down! ”