Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu/21

"O more than mortal! thou whose powerful hand
Avails to check the rapid step of Death,65
Snatching his prey even from the open'd grave.
O Powerful! O Benignant! for myself
Thus saved, I thank thee; for my country, more;
Angel of Heaven! for surely thou wilt aid
My country, and mine arm nerv'd with new life70
Shall on these proud invaders pour the war
With tenfold fury."
"Son of Orleans, cease;"
With loveliest smile she said, "nor thus misgive
What Heaven alone can claim. To Heaven return
The grateful prayer; to Heaven, whose bounteous will75
Me, most unworthy, delegates to wield
His thunder. Hear Dunois the tale of Her,
Offspring of frail Mortality, yet doom'd
To save her country. Lead me to the king,
And as we journey on, these lips shall tell 80
The wonderous work of Fate."