Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/8

viii The History of JOAN of ARC is one of those problems that render investigation fruitless. That she believed herself inspired, few will deny: that she was inspired, no one will venture to assert; and who can believe that she herself was imposed on by Charles and Dunois? That she discovered the King when he disguised himself among the Courtiers to deceive her, and that, as a proof of her mission, she demanded a sword from a tomb in the church of St. Catharine, are facts in which all Historians agree: if this were done by collusion, the Maid must have known herself an impostor, and with that knowledge could not have performed the enterprise she undertook. Enthusiasm, and that of no common kind, was necessary to enable a young Maiden at once to assume the profession of arms, to lead her troops to battle, to fight among the foremost, and to subdue with an inferior force an enemy then believed invincible. One who felt herself the tool of a party, could not have performed this. The artifices of the Court could not have persuaded her that she discovered Charles in disguise; nor could they have prompted her to demand the sword they might have hidden, without discovering the deceit. The Maid then was not knowingly an impostor; nor could she have been the puppet of the Court: and to say that she believed herself inspired, will neither account for her singling out the King, or prophetically claiming the sword. After crowning Charles, she declared that her Mission was accomplished, and demanded leave to retire. Enthusiasm would not have ceased here; and if they who imposed on her could persuade her still to go with their armies, they could still have continued her delusion.

Fuller, of quaint memory, classes her among witches. He calls her a handsome, witty, and bold Maid, about twenty years of age. "People found out a nest of miracles in her education, that so lion-like a spirit should be bred among sheep like David. Ever after she went in man's cloaths, being armed cap-a-pee, and mounted on a brave steed: and, which was a wonder, when she was on horseback, none was more bold and daring; when alighted, none more tame and meek; so that one could scarce see her for herself, she was so changed and altered, as if her spirits dismounted with her body."

"Two