ABSTRACT
Preternatural agency. JOAN and Dunois rest at a cottage. Their host speaks of the battle of Azincour and the massacre of the prisoners after that defeat. The siege of Rouen related and the miseries of the beseiged. The useless inhabitants sent out of the town. Behaviour of Henry to them. Capture of Rouen and execution of Allain Blanchard its gallant defender. a NO more of Usurpation’s doom’d defeat, Ere we the deep preluding strain have pour’d To the Great Father, Only Rightful King, Eternal Father! King Omnipotent! Beneath whose shadowy banners wide unfurl’d 5 Justice leads forth her tyrant-quelling Hosts. Such Symphony requires best Instrument. Seize then my Soul! from Freedom’s trophied Dome The Harp which hanging high between the shields Of Brutus and Leonidas, oft gives 10 A fitful music to the breezy touch Of patriot Spirits that demand their fame.b For what is Freedom, but the unfetter’d use Of all the Powers which God for use had given? But chiefly this, with holiest habitude 15 Of constant Faith, himc First, himd Last to view Thro’ meaner powers and secondary things Effulgent, as thro’ clouds that veil his blaze.e For all that meets the bodily sense I deem 24Symbolical, one mightya alphabet 20 For infant minds; and we in this low world Placed with our backs to bright Reality, That we may learn with young unwounded kenb Things from their shadows. Know thyself my Soul! Confirm’d thy strength, thy pinions fledged for flight 25 Bursting this shell and leaving next thy nest Soon upward soaring shalt thouc fix intense Thine eaglet eye on Heaven’s eternal Sun! But some there are who deem themselves most free, When they within this gross and visible sphere 30 Chain down the winged thought, scoffing ascent Proud in their meanness: and they themselves they cheat With noisy emptiness of learned phrase, Their subtle fluids, impacts, essences, Self-working Tools, uncaus’d Effects, and all 35 Those blind Omniscients, those Almighty Slaves,d Untenanting Creation of its God.e But Properties are God: the naked mass Acts only by its inactivity. Here we pause humbly. Others boldlier think 40 That as one body is the aggregate Of atoms numberless, eachf organiz’d; So by a strange and dim similitude, Infinite myriads of self-conscious minds Form one all-conscious Spirit, who directs 45 With absolute ubiquity of thought All his component monads, that yet seem With various province and apt agency Each to pursue its own self-centering end. Some nurse the infant diamond in the mine; 50 Some roll the genial juices thro’ the oak;g Some drive the mutinous clouds to clash in air; And rushing on the storm with whirlwind speed Yoke the red lightning to their volleying car. Thus these pursue their never-varying course, 55 No eddy in their stream. Others more wild, 25With complex interests weaving human fates, Duteous or proud, alike obedient all, Evolve the process of eternal good. And what if some rebellious, o’er dark realms 60 Arrogate power? yet these train up to God, And on the rude eye unconfirm’d for day Flash meteor lights better than total gloom. As ere from Lieule-Oaive’s vapoury head The Laplander beholds the far-off sun 65 Dart his slant beam on unobeying snows, While yet the stern and solitary Night Brooks no alternate sway, the Boreal Morn With mimic lustre substitutes its gleam Guiding his course, or by Niemi’s lake 70 Or Balda-Zhiok, or the mossy stone Of Solfar-Kapper, while the snowy blast Drifts arrowy by, or eddies round his sledge Making the poor babe at its mother’s back Scream in its scanty cradle: he the while 75 Wins gentle solace as with upward eye He marks the streamy banners of the North, Thinking, himself those happy spirits shall join Who there in floating robes of rosy light Dance sportively. For Fancy is the power 80 That first unsensualizes the dark mind Giving it new delights; and bids it swell With wild activity; and peopling air, By obscure fears of Beings invisible Emancipates it from the grosser thrall 85 Of the present impulse, teaching self controul ’Till Superstition with unconscious hand Seat Reason on her throne. Wherefore not vain, Nor yet without permitted power impress’d, I deem those legends terrible, with which 90 The polar Ancient thrills his uncouth throng: Whether of pitying Spirits that make their moan O’er slaughter’d infants, or that Giant Bird VUOKHO, of whose rushing wings the noise Is Tempest, when the unutterable Shape Speeds from the Mother of Death his destin’d way To snatch the murderer from his secret cell! Or, if the Greenland Wizard in strange trance Pierces the untravell’d realms of ocean’s bed (Where live the innocent, as far from cares 100 As from the storms and overwhelming waves 26Dark-tumbling on the surface of the deep) Over the abysm even to that uttermost cave By mishap’d Prodigies beleager’d, such As Earth ne’er bred, nor Air, nor the upper Sea. 105 There dwells the fury Form, whose unheard name With eager eye, pale cheek, suspended breath Unsleeping SILENCE guards, worn out with fear Lest haply escaping some treacherous blast The fatal Sound let slip the Elements 110 And frenzy Nature. Yet the wizard here, Arm’d with Torngarsuck’s power, the Spirit of good, Forces to unchain the foodful progeny Of the Ocean stream. Wild phantasies! yet wise, On the victorious goodness of high God 115 Teaching Reliance and medicinal Hope, ’Till from Bethabra northward, heavenly Truth With gradual steps winning her difficult way Transfer their rude Faith perfected and pure. If there be Beings of higher class than Man, 120 I deem no nobler province they possess Than by disposal of apt circumstance To rear some realm with patient discipline, Aye bidding PAIN, dark ERROR’S uncouth child, Blameless Parenticide! his snakey scourge 125 Lift fierce against his Mother! Thus they make Of transient Evil ever-during Good Themselves probationary, and denied Confess’d to view by preternatural deed To o’erwhelm the will, save on some fated day 130 Headstrong, or with petition’d might from God. And such perhaps the guardian Power whose ken Still dwelt on France. He from the Invisible World Burst on the MAIDEN’S eye, impregning Air With Voices and strange Shapes, illusions apt, 135 Shadowy of Truth. And first a landscape rose More wild and waste and desolate, than where The white bear drifting on a field of ice Howls to her sunder’d cubs with piteous rage And savage agony. Mid the drear scene 140 A craggy mass uprear’d its misty brow, Untouch’d by breath of Spring, unwont to know Red Summer’s influence, or the chearful face Of Autumn; yet its fragments many and huge Astounded ocean with the dreadful dance 145 Of whirlpools numberless, absorbing oft 27The 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 view 160 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’d 165 Save when with secret glance he view’d the crowd Admiring near. REVENGE unwilling quits The mangled corse; and prodigal of death Next SLAUGHTER strode; his falchion yet unsheath’d Reeks from the wound, loose flow his long black locks, 170 The wide roll of his eye is terrible, And each limb quivers. CRUELTY comes next, With savage smile grasping a widowed dove. And FURY next beating her own swoln breast Rush’d at the call: and ENVY hideous form 175 Gnawing her flesh, and tearing from her head The viper turn’d to bite: and HORROR wild With creeping flesh. DESPAIR his sullen arms Folded; aye muttering dark and half-form’d words Of dreadful import. Aged AVARICE next 180 Hugg’d to his heart his bags, and cast around (Unwilling tho’ to lose the golden sight,) The fearful look. And fitful JEALOUSY Anxious for misery came: and feverish LUST Hot from the convent. Palsied FEAR fled on, 185 And ever as he fled his ghastly eye Reverts. Then stalk’d along the giant form Of proud OPPRESSION, on his crowned brow Sate Desolation, and his pityless frown Dispeopled countries: him behind a train 190 Loathly and horrible, of nameless fiends Outnumbering locusts. Last, as fill’d with fear 28SUSPICION ever-watchful clos’d the train: Pale meagre spectre, ribb’d with iron plates,a Sleepless, and fearful of the friendly meal, 195 Worn out with anxious vigilance of life. These at the palace meet, there, porter fit, REMORSE for ever his sad vigils kept, His heart the viper’s feast: worn down his face, If face it were when scarce the shrivell’d skin 200 Wrap’d o’er the bone, proclaim’d the gnawing pang: Inly he groan’d, or starting wildly, shriek’d, Aye as the fabric tottering from its base Threaten’d destruction, tho’ oft announc’d withheld, Tho’ still withheld, expected. These the Maid 205 Mark’d as they steer’d their dusky flight along; And lo! she was amidst them. Paved with bones The floor breath’d pestilence: the emblazon’d walls With ensigns and with blood-stain’db arms were hung, The trophies of AMBITION.c On his throne 210 That Form portentous rear’d his giant bulk, More huge than he, who with his hundred arms Scatter’d confusion o’er the host of Gods Briareus: or the monster brethren twain, Whose stature swelling every hour gave hopes 215 Of equalling highest Heaven: nor larger he Illusive, ’gainst whose head the thunderer Thor Sped frustrate his full force. A sable helm Shades his brown face, where glow’d thro’ each dark tint The fire of anger; in his hand he grasp’d 220 The desolating spear: his broad black brow In thought contracted spake his brooding soul, Sullenly silent. ‘Maid beloved of Heaven!’ (To her the tutelary Power exclaimed) ‘Of CHAOS the adventurous progeny 225 Thou seest; foul missionaries of foul sire, Fierce to regain the losses of that hour 29When LOVE rose glittering, and his gorgeous wings Over the abyss flutter’d with such glad noise,a As what time after long and pestful Calms 230 With slimy shapes and miscreated life Pois’ning the vast Pacific, the fresh breeze Wakens the merchant sail, uprising. NIGHT An heavy unimaginable moan Sent forth, when she the PROTOPLAST beheld 235 Stand beauteous on Confusion’s charmed wave.b Moaning she fled, and entered the Profound That leads with downward windings to the Cavec Of darkness palpable, desart of Death, Sunk deep beneath GEHENNA’S massy roots. 240 There many a dateless age the Beldame lurk’dd And trembled: till engender’d by fierce HATE, Fierce HATE and gloomy HOPE, a DREAM arose Shap’d like a black cloud mark’d with streaks of fire. It rous’d the Hell-hag:e she the dew-damps wip’d 245 From off her brow, and thro’ the uncouth maze Retraced her steps; but ere she reach’d the mouthf Of that drear labyrinth, shudd’ring she paus’dg Nor dar’d re-enter the diminish’d Gulphh. As thro’ the dark vaults of some moulder’d tower 250 (Which fearful to approach, the evening hind Circles at distance in his homeward way) The winds breathei hollow, deem’d the plaining groan Of prison’d spirits; with such fearful voice 30NIGHT murmur’d, and the sound thro’ Chaos went. 255 Leapt at the call her hideous-fronted brood! A dark behest they heard, and rush’d on earth, Since that sad hour in camps and courts adored Rebels from God and Monarch’s o’era Mankind! These are the fiends that o’er thy native land 260 Spread Guiltb and Horror. Maid belov’d of Heaven! Dar’st thou inspir’d by the holy flame of Love Encounter such fell shapes, nor fear to meet Their wrath, their wiles? O Maiden, dar’st thou die?’ ‘FATHER OF HEAVEN! I will not fear,’ she said 265 ‘My arm is weak, but mighty is thy sword.’ She spake and as she spake the trump was heard That echoed ominous o’er the streets of Rome, When the first Caesar totter’d o’er the grave By FREEDOM delv’d: the Trump, whose chilling blast 270 On Marathon and on Plataea’s plain Scatter’d the Persian. From his obscure haunt Shriek’d FEAR, the ghastliest of AMBITION’S throng, Fev’rish yet freezing, eager paced, yet slow; As she that creeps from forth her swampy reeds 275 AGUE, the biform Hag! when early Spring Beams on the marsh-bred vapours. ‘Lo! she goes! To Orleans lo! she goes – the Mission’d Maid! The Victor Hosts wither beneath her arm! And what are Crecy, Poictiers, Azincour 280 But noisy echoes in the ear of Pride?’ AMBITION heard and startled on his throne; But strait a smile of savage joy illum’d His grisly features, like the sheety Burst Of Lightning o’er the awaken’d midnight clouds 285 Wide-flash’d. For lo! a flaming pile reflects Its red light fierce and gloomy on the face Of SUPERSTITION and her goblin Son, Loud-laughing CRUELTY, who to the stake A female fix’d, of bold and beauteous mien, 290 Her snow-white Limbs by iron fetters bruis’d, Her breast expos’d. JOAN saw, she saw and knew Her perfect image. Nature thro’ her frame One pang shot shiv’ring; but, that frail pang soon Dismiss’d, ‘Even so’ (the exulting Maiden said) 295 ‘The sainted Heralds of Good Tidings fell, 31And thus they witness’d God! But now the Clouds Treading, and Storms beneath their feet, they soar Higher, and higher soar, and soaring sing Loud Songs of Triumph! O ye Spirits of God, 300 Hover around my mortal agonies!’ She spake: and instantly faint melody Melts on her ear, soothing, and sad, and slow, Such measures as at calmy midnight heard By aged Hermit in his holy dream 305 Foretell and solace death: and now they rise Louder, as when with harp and mingled voice The white-rob’d multitude of slaughter’d Saints At Heaven’s wide-open’d portals gratulant Receive some martyr’d Patriot. The harmony 310 Entranc’d the maid, ’till each suspended sense Brief slumber seiz’d and confus’d extacy. At length awak’ning slow she gaz’d around; But lo! no more was seen the ice-pil’d mount And meteor-lighted dome. An Isle appear’d, 315 Its high, o’erhanging, rough, broad-breasted cliffs Glass’d on the subject ocean. A vast plain Stretch’d opposite, where ever and anon The Ploughman following sad his meagre team Turn’d up fresh skulls unstartled, and the bones 320 Of fierce, hate-breathing Combatants, who there All mingled lay beneath the common earth, Death’s gloomy reconcilement! O’er the fields Stepp’d a fair Form repairing all she might, Her temples olive-wreath’d; and where she trod, 325 Fresh flowrets rose and many a foodful herb. But wan her cheek, her footsteps insecure, And anxious pleasure beam’d in her faint eye, As she had newly left a couch of pain, Pale Convalescent! (Yet some time to rule 330 With power exclusive o’er the willing world, That blest prophetic Mandate then fulfill’d, PEACE be on earth!) An happy while but brief She seem’d to wander with assiduous feet, And heal’d the recent harm of chill or blight, 335 And nurs’d each plant that fair and virtuous grew. But soon a deep precursive sound moan’d hollow: Black rose the clouds, and now, (as in a dream) Their red’ning shapes transform’d to warrior hosts, Cours’d o’er the Sky, and battled in mid air. 340 The Sea meantime his Billows darkest roll’d, And each stain’d wave dash’d on the shore a corse. 32Nor did not the large blood-drops fall from Heaven Portentous! while aloft were seen to float, His hideous features blended with the mist, 345 The long black locks of SLAUGHTER. PEACE beheld, And o’er the plain with oft-reverted eye Fled, till a place of Tombs she reach’d, and there Within a ruin’d sepulchre obscure Found hiding-place. The delegated Maid 350 Gaz’d thro’ her tears, then in sad tones exclaim’d, ‘Thou mild-eyed Form! wherefore ah! wherefore fled? The name of JUSTICE written on thy brow Resplendent shone; but all they, who unblam’d Dwelt in thy dwellings, call thee HAPPINESS. 355 Ah! why uninjur’d and unprofited Should multitudes against their brethren rush? Why sow they guilt, still reaping misery! Lenient of care, thy songs, O PEACE! are sweet, As after showers the perfum’d gale of Eve, 360 That plays around the sick man’s throbbing temples; And gay thy grassy altar pil’d with fruits. But boasts the shrine of Daemon WAR one charm? Save that with many an orgie strange and foul Dancing around with interwoven arms 365 The Maniac SUICIDE and Giant MURDER Exult in their fierce union! I am sad, And know not why the simple Peasants croud Beneath the Chieftain’s standard!’ Thus the Maid. To her the tutelary Spirit reply’d, 370 ‘When Luxury and Lust’s exhausted stores No more can rouse the appetites of KINGS; When the low Flattery of their reptile Lords Falls flat and heavy on the accustomed ear; When Eunuchs sing, and Fools buffoon’ry make, 375 And Dancers writhe their harlot limbs in vain: Then War and all its dread vicissitudes Pleasingly agitate their stagnant hearts, Its hopes, its fears, its victories, its defeats, Insipid Royalty’s keen Condiment. 380 Therefore, uninjur’d and unprofited (Victims at once and executioners) The congregated Husbandmen lay waste The Vineyard and the Harvest: as along The Bothnic Coast or southward of the Line 385 Though hush’d the Winds, and cloudless the high Noon, Yet if LEVIATHAN, weary of ease, 33In sports unwieldy toss his island bulk, Ocean behind him billows, and, before, A storm of Waves breaks foamy on the strand. 390 And hence for times and seasons bloody and dark Short Peace shall skin the wounds of causeless War, And War, his strained sinews knit anew, Still violate th’ unfinished Works of Peace. But yonder look – for more demands thy view.’ 395 He said; and straightway from the opposite Isle A Vapor rose, pierc’d by the MAIDEN’S eye. Guiding its course OPPRESSION sate within, With terror pale and rage, yet laugh’d at times Musing on Vengeance: trembled in his hand 400 A Sceptre fiercely-grasp’d. O’er ocean westward The Vapor sail’d, as when a Cloud exhal’d From Aegypt’s fields, that steam hot Pestilence, Travels the sky for many a trackless league, ’Till o’er some death-doom’d Land distant in vain 405 It broods incumbent. Forthwith from the Plain Facing the Isle, a brighter Cloud arose And steer’d its course which way the Vapor went. ENVY sate guiding – ENVY, hag abhorr’d! Like JUSTICE mask’d, and doom’d to aid the fight 410 Victorious ’gainst OPPRESSION. Hush’d awhile The Maiden paus’d, musing what this might mean; But long time pass’d not, ere that brighter Cloud Return’d more bright: along the Plain it swept; And soon from forth its bursting sides emerg’d 415 A dazzling Form, broad-bosom’d, bold of Eye, And wild her hair save where by Laurels bound. Not more majestic stood the healing God When from his Bow the arrow sped, that slew Huge Python. Shriek’d AMBITION’S ghastly throng, 420 And with them those, the locust Fiends that crawl’d And glitter’d in CORRUPTION’S slimy track. Great was their wrath, for short they knew their reign. And such Commotion made they and Uproar As when the mad Tornado bellows thro’ 425 The guilty Islands of the western main, What time departing for their native shores, Eboe, or Koromantyn’s plain of Palms, The infuriate Spirits of the Murder’d make Fierce merriment, and vengeance ask of Heaven. 430 Warm’d with new Influence the unwholsome Plain Sent up its foulest fogs to meet the Morn: 34The Sun, that rose on FREEDOM, rose in blood! ‘MAIDEN beloved, and Delegate of Heaven! (To her the tutelary Spirit said) 435 Soon shall the Morning struggle into Day, The stormy Morning into cloudless Noon. Much hast thou seen, nor all can’st understand – But this be thy best Omen, SAVE THY COUNTRY!’ Thus saying, from the answering Maid he pass’d, 440 And with him disappear’d the goodly Vision. ‘Glory to thee, FATHER of Earth and Heaven! All-conscious PRESENCE of the Universe! Nature’s vast ever-acting ENERGY! In will, in deed, IMPULSE of All to all; 445 Whether thy LAW with unrefracted Ray Beam on the PROPHET’S purged Eye, or if Diseasing Realms the ENTHUSIAST wild of thought Scatter new frenzies on the infected Throng, THOU Both inspiring, and predooming Both, 450 Fit INSTRUMENTS and best of perfect END. Glory to thee, Father of Earth and Heaven!’ Return, adven’trous Song! to where Dunois With eager ear heard from the MAID her tale Of early youth and Mission from on high. 455 And now beneath the Horizon west’ring slow Had sunk the orb of Day: a milder Light Soften’d the scene, fading thro’ every hue ’Till twilight’s deep’ning mists o’ershadow’d all. The trav’llers wend, beguiling the long way 460 With converse, ’till the dewy Damps of Night Rose round. Far off a glimm’ring taper’s raya Gleam’d thro’ the embowered gloom: to that they turn. An aged man came forth; his scant grey locks Waved on the night breeze. Time had written deep 465 On his shrunk face the characters of age. Them louting low with rustic courtesy He welcom’d in, on the white-ember’d hearth Then heapt fresh fuel, and with friendly care Spread out the homely board: fatigued they eat 470 The country cakes and quaff the nut-brown bowl. ‘Strangers, your fare is homely,’ said their Host, But such as we poor men earn with hard toil: In faith ye are welcome to it. I do love 35A solider, my old heart seems young again. 475 Poor and decrepit as I am, my arm Once grasp’d the sword full firmly, and my limbs Were strong as thine, Sir Warrior! God be with thee And send thee better fortune than old BERTRAM! I would that I were young again to meet 480 These haughty English in the field of fight. Such as I was when on the fatal plain Of Azincour I met them.’ ‘Wert thou then A sharer in that dreadful day’s defeat?’ Exclaim’d the Bastard, ‘didst thou know the chief 485 Of Orleans?’ ‘Know him!’ the old veteran cried, ‘I saw him ere the bloody fight began Riding from rank to rank, his beaver up, The long lance quivering in his mighty grasp. Full was his eye and fierce, yet beaming still 490 On all his countrymen chearful and mild Winning all hearts. Looking at thee Sir Knight Methinks I see him now, such was his eye So mild in peace, such was his manly brow. Beshrew me but I weep at the remembrance.’ 495 ‘Full was his eye,’ exclaim’d the Bastard Son Of Orleans, ‘yet it beam’d benevolence. I never yet saw love so dignified! There lived not one his vassal but adored The good the gallant Chief. Amid his halls 500 High blazed the hospitable hearth, the pilgrim Of other countries seeing his high towers Rejoiced, for he had often heard of Orleans: He lives, my brother!a bound in the hard chain He lives most wretched.’ The big tear roll’d down 505 The Warriors cheeks, ‘but he shall live, Dunois,’ Exclaim’d the Mission’d Maid, ‘but he shall live To hear good tidings; hear of Liberty, Of his own liberty by his brother’s armb Atchiev’d in hard fought battle. He shall live 510 Happy. The memory of his prison’d years Shall heighten all his joys, and his grey hairs Go to the grave in peace.’ 36‘I would fain live To see that day,’ replied their aged host, ‘How would my heart leap once more to behold 515 The gallant generous chieftain! I fought by him When all the hopes of victory were lost, And down his batter’d arms the blood stream’d fast From many a wound. Like wolves they hemm’d us in Fierce in unhoped for conquest: all around 520 Our dead and dying countrymen lay heap’d. Yet still he strove, I wondered at his valour! Was not a man that on that fatal day Fought bravelier.’ ‘Fatal was that day to France,’ Exclaim’d the Bastard, ‘there Alencon died 525 Valiant in vain; and he the haughty chief D’Albert, who rashly arrogant of strength Impetuous rush’d to ruin. Brabant fell, Vaudemont and Marle, and Bar, and Faquenberg, Her noblest warriors: daring in despair 530 Fought the fierce foe – ranks fell on ranks before them; The prisoners of that shameful day out-summ’d Their victors!’ ‘There are those,’ old Bertam cried, ‘Who for his deeds will honor Henry’s name. That honor that a conqueror may deserve 535 He merits, for right valiantly he fought On that disastrous day; but when the field Was won, and those who had escaped the carnage Had yielded up their arms, it was most foul On his defenceless prisoners to glut 540 The blunted sword of conquest. Girt around I to their mercy had surrendered me, When lo! I heard the dreadful groan of death – Not as amid the fray, when man met man And in fair combat gave the mortal blow; 545 Here the poor captives, weaponless and bound Saw their stern victors draw again the sword, And groan’d and strove in vain to free their hands And bade them think upon their plighted faitha And pray’d for mercy in the name of God 550 In vain: Their King had bade them massacre, And in their helpless prisoners’ naked breasts They drove the sword. Then I expected death 37And at that moment death was terrible; For the heat of fight was over; of my home 555 I thought, and of my wife and little ones In bitterness of heart. The gallant man, Whose by the chance of war I had become, Had pity, and he loos’d my hands and said, “Frenchman! I would have killed thee in the battle – 560 But my arm shrinks at murder – get thee hence.” It was the will of heaven that I should live Childless and old to think upon the past And wish that I had perish’d!’ The old man Wept as he spake. ‘Ye may perhaps have heard 565 Of the hard siege so long by Rouen endur’d. I dwelt there strangers, I had then a wife And I had children tenderly beloved, Who I did hope should cheer me in old age And close mine eyes. The tale of Misery 570 May-hap were tedious, or I could relate Much of that dreadful siege.’ The Maid replied Anxious of that devoted town to learn. Thus then the veteran – ‘From that field of shame To France so fatal, Azincour escap’d; 575 I speeded homewards and abode in peace. Henry as wise as brave had back to England Led his victorious army; well aware That France was mighty, that her warrior sons, Impatient of a foreign victor’s sway, 580 Might rise impetuous, and with multitudes Tread down the invaders. Wisely he return’d, For the proud Barons in their private broils Wasted the strength of France. I dwelt at home Peaceful though lowly, with my little store 585 Content. I lov’d around the cheerful hearth To tell of all the perils I had known: My children they would sit and listen eager, And bless the all-good Father who preserv’d me.a Ah me – when war the masters of mankind, 590 Woe to the poor man! If he sow the field,b 38He shall not reap the harvest: if he see His blooming children rise around, his heart Aches at the thought that they are multiplied To the sword! Again from England the fierce foe 595 Rush’d on our ravag’d coasts. In battle bold, Savage in conquest, their victorious King Swept like the desolating tempest round. Dambiere’s submits – on Caen’s subjected walls Proudly in conquest wav’d the English flag. 600 Bulwark of Normandy, Rouen still remain’d; Nor unresisted round our massy walls Fix’d they their camp. I need not tell Sir Knight How oft and boldly on th’ invading host We burst with fierce assault impetuous forth; 605 For many were the warrior Sons of Rouen. O’er all that gallant Citizen was fam’d For virtuous hardihood praeeminent Blanchard. He, gathering his compatriots round, With his own courage kindling every breast, 610 Had bade them vow before Almighty God Never to yield them to the usurping foe While yet their arms could lift the spear; while yet Life was to think of every pledge that man Most values. To the God of Hosts we vow’d; 615 And we had baffled the beseiging power, But our cold-hearted Foeman drew around His strong entrenchments. From the watch-tower’s top In vain with fearful hearts along the Seine We strain’d the eye, and every distant wave 620 That in the sun-beam glitter’d, fondly thought The white sail of supply. Ah me! no more Rose on our aching sight the food-fraught bark; For guarded was the Seine, and our stern foe Had made a league with Famine. How my heart 625 Sunk in me when at night I carried home The scanty pittance of to-morrow’s meal! You know not, strangers! what it is to see The asking eye of hunger! Still we strove Expecting aid, till sickening Expectation 630 Felt never hope, and yet most keen the pang Of disappointment. Tho’ with christian zeal Ursino would have pour’d the balm of peace Into our wounds, ambitious ear best pleas’d With the War’s clamor and the groan of Death, 635 Was deaf to prayer.a Day after day fled on; 39We heard no voice of comfort; never aid Arriv’d. And now the loathliest food was sought, And now the wretched ones lay in our streets Crying for food, and dying as they cry’d – 640 Oh God it was a dreadful sight to see! Yet still we struggled nobly. Blanchard still Spoke of the savage fury of the foe, Of captives massacred at Azincour, Of ravaged Caen, and of her gallant sons 645 In cold blood murder’d. Then his scanty food Sharing with the most wretched, he would bid us Bear with our miseries cheerly. Thus distress’d Lest all should perish thus, our chieftains doom’d The helpless ones – dreadful alternative, 650 To seek their fates. I never shall forget The horrors of that hour! Oh God forbid That my worst foe should ever feel such pangs. Then as our widow wives clung round our necks, And the deep sob of anguish interrupted 655 The prayer of parting – even the pious priest As he implor’d his God to strengthen us, And told us we should meet again in Heaven, He groan’d and curs’d in bitterness of heart That merciless man. – Thea wretched crowd pass’d on: 660 My wife – my children – thro’ the gates they pass’d – Then the gates clos’d. – Would I were in my grave That I might lose remembrance. What is man That he can hear the groan of wretchedness And feel no fleshly pang! Why did the All-Good 665 Create these warrior scourges of mankind, These who delight in slaughter? I did think There was not on this earth a heart so hard Could hear a famish’d woman cry for bread, And know no pity. As the outcast train 670 Drew near, the English Monarch bade his troops Force back the miserable multitude. They drove them to the walls – it was the depth Of Winter – we had no relief to grant. The aged ones groan’d to our foe in vain, 675 The mother pleaded for her dying child And they felt no remorse!’ 40The Mission’d Maid Starts from her seat – ‘The old and the infirm The mother and her babes – and yet no lightning Blasted this man!’ ‘Aye Lady,’ BERTRAM cried, 680 ‘And when we sent the herald to implore His mercy on the helpless, he relax’d His stern face into savage merriment, Scoffing their agonies. On the high wall I stood and mark’d the miserable outcasts, 685 And every moment thought that Henry’s heart, Hard as it was, must feel. All night I stood – Their deep groans sounded on the midnight gale. Fainter they grew, for the cold wintry wind Blew bleak; fainter they grew, and at the last 690 All was still, save that ever and anon Some mother shriek’d o’er her expiring child The shriek of frenzying anguish. From that hour On all the busy turmoil of the world I gaz’d with strange indifference; bearing want 695 With the sick patience of a mind worn out. Nor when the Traitor yielded up our town Ought heeded I as through our ruin’da streets, Thro’ putrid heaps of famish’d carcasses Pass’d the long pomp of triumph. One keen pang 700 I felt, when by that bloody King’s command The gallant Blanchard died. Calmly he died, And as he bow’d beneath the axe, thank’d God That he had done his duty. I survive, A solitary friendless wretched one, 705 Knowing no joy save in the faith I feel That I shall soon be gather’d to my sires, And soon repose there where the wicked cease From troubling, and the weary are at rest. ‘And happy,’ cried the delegated Maid, 710 ‘And happy they who in that holy faith Bow meekly to the rod! a little while Shall they endure the proud man’s contumely, The hard wrongs of the great. A little while Tho’ shelterless they feel the wintry wind, 715 The wind shall whistle o’er their turf-grown grave, 41And all beneath be peace. But woe to those, Woe to the Mighty Ones who send abroad Their train’d assassins, and who give to Fury The flaming firebrand; these indeed shall live 720 The heroes of the wand’ring minstrel’s song, But they have their reward: the innocent blood Steams up to Heaven against them. – God shall hear The widow’s groan.’ So spake she and arose, And they betook them to their homely rest. 725
