A Ballad of Orleans
Sixty forts around Orleans town.
And sixty forts of stone!
Sixty forts at our gates last night—
To-day there is not one!
The blood ran ofF our spears all night
As the rain runs off the roofs—
God rest their souls that fell i' the fight
Among our horses' hoofs!
They came to rob us of our own
With sword and spear and lance,
They fell and clutched the stubborn earth,
And bit the dust of France!
Sixty forts around Orleans town.
And sixty forts of stone!
Sixty forts at our gates last night—
To-day there is not one.
We fought across the moonless dark
Against their unseen hands—
A knight came out of Paradise
And fought among our bands.
Fight on, O maiden knight of God!
Fight on and never tire.
For lo! the misty break o' the day
Sees all their forts on fire!
Sixty forts around Orleans town.
And sixty forts of stone!
Sixty forts at our gates last night—
To-day there is not one.
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