 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
The Maid addressed him:
‘God save thee, gentle Dauphin: may His grace
Accord thee holy life.’ The prince replied—
News he had heard of her from Baudricourt,
And willed to test her—‘Maid, the King is yon!’
He spake, and pointed to a warrior tall
And stately, starred with emblems of his greatness,
Dunois, best soldier deemed that day in France.
She answered: ‘Gentle Prince, that may not be;
God tells me thou art King and not another.’
‘Damsel, thy name?’—‘Men call me “Joan the Maid.”
Dauphin, this word I bear thee from thy God,
He yields thee back thy realm! God reigns: in thee
He sees His France's heir.’ Again she spake:
‘Dauphin, provide me armour and a horse:
At once the siege of Orleans I must raise,
And later see thee crowned in holy Rheims.
These tasks discharged my mission is fulfilled,
And I, to happy lowliness restored,
Clasp my young sister. This shall be the sign.
Bend low that I may whisper.’
‘God save thee, gentle Dauphin: may His grace
Accord thee holy life.’ The prince replied—
News he had heard of her from Baudricourt,
And willed to test her—‘Maid, the King is yon!’
He spake, and pointed to a warrior tall
And stately, starred with emblems of his greatness,
Dunois, best soldier deemed that day in France.
She answered: ‘Gentle Prince, that may not be;
God tells me thou art King and not another.’
‘Damsel, thy name?’—‘Men call me “Joan the Maid.”
Dauphin, this word I bear thee from thy God,
He yields thee back thy realm! God reigns: in thee
He sees His France's heir.’ Again she spake:
‘Dauphin, provide me armour and a horse:
At once the siege of Orleans I must raise,
And later see thee crowned in holy Rheims.
These tasks discharged my mission is fulfilled,
And I, to happy lowliness restored,
Clasp my young sister. This shall be the sign.
Bend low that I may whisper.’
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |