200
JOAN OF ARC.
Some peaceful messenger, who shall make known
The will of Heaven. So timely warn'd, our foes
Haply may yet repent, and quit in peace
Besieged Orleans. Victory is sad
When even one man is murder'd."
So she said, 160
And as she spake a soldier from the ranks
Advanced. "I will be thy Messenger,
Maiden of God! I to the English camp
Will bear thy bidding."
"Go," the Virgin cried,
"Say to the Chief of Salisbury, and the host 165
Attending—Suffolk, Fastolffe, Talbot, Scales,
Invaders of the country—say, thus says
The Maid of Orleans. "With your troops retire
In peace. Of every captur'd town the keys
Restore to Charles; so bloodless you may seek 170
Your native England; for the God of Hosts
Thus has decreed. To Charles the rightful heir,
By long descent and voluntary choice,
The will of Heaven. So timely warn'd, our foes
Haply may yet repent, and quit in peace
Besieged Orleans. Victory is sad
When even one man is murder'd."
So she said, 160
And as she spake a soldier from the ranks
Advanced. "I will be thy Messenger,
Maiden of God! I to the English camp
Will bear thy bidding."
"Go," the Virgin cried,
"Say to the Chief of Salisbury, and the host 165
Attending—Suffolk, Fastolffe, Talbot, Scales,
Invaders of the country—say, thus says
The Maid of Orleans. "With your troops retire
In peace. Of every captur'd town the keys
Restore to Charles; so bloodless you may seek 170
Your native England; for the God of Hosts
Thus has decreed. To Charles the rightful heir,
By long descent and voluntary choice,
"Of
