250
JOAN OF ARC.
The unharming tempest breaks!"
Nor paus'd they now
In farther converse, to the perilous fray
Speeding, not unobserved—them Salisbury saw
And call'd on Talbot. Six, the bravest Knights
And vow'd with them, against the Virgins life 570
Bent their fierce course. She by that unknown man
Now urged the war, when on her plumed helm
The hostile falchion fell. On high she lifts
That hallowed sword, the tenant of the tomb,
And drench'd it in his bosom. On the front 575
Of one, his comrade, fell the battle-axe
Of him the dark-brow'd Chief: the ponderous blow
Shattered his brain. With Talbot's giant force
The daring Herald urged unequal fight;
For like some oak that firm with deep-fix'd roots 580
Mocks at the storm, the undaunted Earl endur'd
His rude assault. Warding with wary eye
The angry sword, the Frank around his foe
Wheels rapid, flashing his keen weapon fast;
Nor paus'd they now
In farther converse, to the perilous fray
Speeding, not unobserved—them Salisbury saw
And call'd on Talbot. Six, the bravest Knights
And vow'd with them, against the Virgins life 570
Bent their fierce course. She by that unknown man
Now urged the war, when on her plumed helm
The hostile falchion fell. On high she lifts
That hallowed sword, the tenant of the tomb,
And drench'd it in his bosom. On the front 575
Of one, his comrade, fell the battle-axe
Of him the dark-brow'd Chief: the ponderous blow
Shattered his brain. With Talbot's giant force
The daring Herald urged unequal fight;
For like some oak that firm with deep-fix'd roots 580
Mocks at the storm, the undaunted Earl endur'd
His rude assault. Warding with wary eye
The angry sword, the Frank around his foe
Wheels rapid, flashing his keen weapon fast;
Now
