Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/87

 O'er all that gallant Citizen was fam'd For virtuous hardihood praeminent Blanchard. He, gathering his compatriots round, With his own courage kindling every breast, 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; And we had baffled the besieging 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 That in the sun-beam glitter'd, fondly thought "The