< Page:Joan of Arc - Southey (1796).djvu
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

BOOK THE FIRST

15

The wasted plain, in want and wretchedness.
Feebly I followed; one who knew and lov'd
My fallen father, fav'd his helpless child.
Long time he journeyed on in hopes to gain
Beyond old Arden, in his sister's home⁠165
A safe asylum; and we now had reach'd
The wood, with many a painful day's hard toil,
When by the rankling wound that prey'd upon him
Worn out, he fell.
⁠"My agonizing shrieks
Pierced thro' the forest, and a holy man⁠170
Drew near: he bore him to his rock-roof'd cell,
And many a precious balm, and virtuous herb
The aged leech applied; his earthly cares
Were fruitless, for worn nature sunk to rest.
Yet of a Judge, all just, all merciful,⁠175
A God of Love, inspir'd the hermit told,

[1]

And

  1. ↑
    ⁠Tum populus cunctus de portis Gallicus exit
    ⁠Mœstus, inarmatus, vacuus, miser æger, inopsque;
    ⁠Utque novas sedes quærat migrare coactus:
    ⁠Oppidulo belli potiuntur jure Britanni!"
This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.