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See this fair country ravaged by the foe, My strong holds taken, and my bravest friends Fallen in the field, or captives far away. Dead is the Douglas; cold thy gallant heart, Illustrious Buchan! ye from Scotland's hills, Not mindless of your old ally distress'd, Came to his succor; in this cause ye fought; For him ye perish'd. Rash, impetuous Narbonne! Thy mangled corse waves to the winds of Heaven. Cold, Graville, is thy sinewy arm in death; Fallen is Ventadaur; silent in the grave Rambouillet sleeps. Brectagne's unfaithful chief Leagues with my foes; and Richemont, or in arms Defies my weak control, or from my side, A friend more dreaded than the enemy, Scares my best servants with the assassin's sword. Soon must beleaguer'd Orleans fall. — But now A truce to these sad thoughts! We arc not yet So utterly despoil'd but we can spread The friendly board, and giving thee, Dunois, Such welcome as befits thy father's son, Win from our public cares a day for joy." Dunois replied, "So may thy future years Pass from misfortune free, as all these ills Shall vanish like a vision of the night! I como to thee the joyful messenger Of aid from Heaven; for Heaven hath delegated A humble Maiden to deliver France. That holy Maiden asks an audience now; And when she promises miraculous things, I feel it is not possible to hear And disbelieve."

Astonish'd by his speech Stood Charles. "At one of meaner estimation I should have smiled, Dunois," the King replied; " But thy known worth, and the tried loyalty Of thy father's house, compel me even to this To lend a serious ear. A woman sent To rescue us, when all our strength hath fail'd! A humble Maiden to deliver France! One whom it were not possible to hear, And disbelieve! — Dunois, ill now beseems Aught wild and hazardous. And yet our state Being what it is, by miracle alone Deliverance can be hoped for. Is my person Known to this woman?" "That it cannot be, Unless it be by miracle made known," Dunois replied; "for she hath never left Her native hamlet in Lorraine till now."

"Here then," rejoin'd the King, "we have a test Easy, and safe withal. Abide thou here; And hither by a speedy messenger Summon the Prophetess. Upon the throne Let some one take his seat and personate My presence, while I mingle in the train. If she indeed be by the Spirit moved, That Spirit, certes, will direct her eyes To the true Prince whom she is sent to serve: But if she prove, as likeliest we must deem. One by her own imaginations crazed, Thus failing and convinced, she may return Unblamed to her obscurity, and we Be spared the shame of farther loss incurr'd By credulous faith. Well might the English scoff, If on a frantic woman we should rest Our last reliance." Thus the King resolved, And with a faith half-faltering at the proof, Dunois despatch'd a messenger, to seek Beside the banks of Vienne, the mission'd Maid.

Soon is the court convened: the jewell'd crown Shines on a courtier's head. Amid the train The Monarch undistinguish'd takes his place, Expectant of the event. The Virgin comes, And as the Bastard led her to the throne, Quick glancing o'er the mimic Majesty, With gesture and with look like one inspired, She fix'd her eye on Charles: "Thou art the King!" Then in a tone that thrill'd all hearts, pursued; "I come the appointed Minister of Heaven, To wield a sword before whose fated edge, Far, far from Orleans shall the English wolves Speed their disastrous flight. Monarch of France! Send thou the tidings over all the realm, Great tidings of deliverance and of joy; The Maid is come, the mission'd Maid, whose hand Shall in the consecrated walls of Rheims Crown thee, anointed King."

In wonder mute The courtiers heard. Astonish'd Charles exclaim'd, " This is indeed the agency of Heaven ! Hard, Maiden, were I of belief," he said, "Did I not now, with full and confirm'd faith, Receive thee as a Prophetess raised up For our deliverance. Therefore, not in doubt Of Providence or thee do I delay At once to marshal our brave countrymen Beneath thy banner; but to satisfy Those who at distance from this most clear proof Might hear and disbelieve, or yield at best A cold assent. Those fully to confirm, And more to make thy calling manifest, Forthwith with all due speed I will convene The Doctors of Theology, wise men, And learned in the mysteries of Heaven. By them thy mission studied and approved, As needs it must, their sanction to all minds Will bring conviction, and the sure belief Lead on thy favor'd troops to mightiest deeds, Surpassing human possibility."

Well pleas'd the Maiden heard. Her the King leads From the disbanding throng, meantime to dwell With Mary. Watchful 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 Too oft deform'd her beauty. Yet with her The lawless idol of the Monarch's heart, The Queen, obedient to her husband's will, Dwelt meekly in accord. With them the Maid Was left to sojourn; by the gentle Queen With cordial affability received; By Agnes courteously, whose outward show Of graciousness concealed an inward awe,