the inherent defects were incorrigible, and I did not of his judgement as well as in the sincerity of his look into it again for many years. But now, when about to perform what at my age may almost be called the testamentary task of revising, in all likelihood for the last time, those works by which it was my youthful ambition "to be for ever known," and part whereof I dare believe has been "so written to aftertimes as they should not willingly let it die," it appeared proper that this poem through which the author had been first made known to the public, two-and-forty years ago, should lead the way; and the thought that it was once more to pass through the press under my own inspection, induced a feeling in some respects resembling that with which it had been first delivered to the printer,. and yet how different! For not in hope and ardour, nor with the impossible intention of rendering it what it might have been had it been planned and executed in middle life, did I resolve to correct it once more throughout; but for the purpose of making it more consistent with itself in diction, and less inconsistent in other things with the well-weighed opinions of my maturer years. The faults of effort, which may generally be regarded as hopeful indications in a juvenile writer, have been mostly left as they were. The faults of language which remained from the first edition have been removed, so that in this respect the whole is sufficiently in keeping. And for those which expressed the political prejudices of a young man who had too little knowledge to suspect his own ignorance, they have either been expunged, or altered, or such substitutions have been made for them as harmonize with the pervading spirit of the poem, and are nevertheless in accord with those opinions which the author has maintained for thirty years through good and evil report, in the maturity 1 "Lewes duke of Orleance murthered in Paris, by Jhon duke of Burgoyne, was owner of the castle of Concy, on the frontiers of Fraunce toward Arthoys, whereof he made constable the lord of Cauny, a man not so wise as his wife was faire, and yet she was not so faire, but she was as well belored of the duke of Orleance, as of her husband. Betwene the duke and her husband (I cannot tell who was father), she conceived a child, and brought furthe a prety boye called Jhen, whiche child beying of the age of one yere, the duke deceased, and not long after the mother and the lord of Caway ended their lives. The next of kynne to the lord Cawny chalenged the inheritaunce, which was worth foure thorsande crounes a yere, alledgyng that the boye was a bastand: and the kynred of the mother's side, for to save her honesty, it plainly denied. In conclusion, this matter was in contencion before the presidentes of the parliament of Paris, and there hang in controversie till the child came to the age fight years old. At whiche tyme it was demanded of hym pealy whose sonne he was; his frendes of his mother's side advertised hym to require a day, to be advised of so great an wer, whiche he asked, and to hym it was granted. In the then season, his said frendes persuaded him to claime his beritance as sonne to the lorde of Cawny, whiche was an borable livyng, and an auncient patrimony, affirming that he said contrary, he not only slaundered his mother, shamed hymself, and stained his bloud, but also should have olivyng, nor any thing to take to. The scholemaster thakyng that his disciple had well learned his lesson, and would reherse it according to his instruccion, brought hym before the judges at the daie assigned, and when the question was repeted to hym again, he boldly answered, "My harte gereta me, and my tonge telleth me, that I am the sonne of heart. Keswick, August 30. 1837. ΤΟ EDITH SOUTHEY. EDITH! I brought thee late a humble gift, JOAN OF ARC. THE FIRST BOOK. THERE was high feasting held at Vaucouleur, the noble duke of Orleaunce, more glad to be his bastarde, with a meane livyng, than the lawful sonne of that coward cuckolde Cawny, with his four thousand crownes." The judges much marveiled at his bolde answere, and his mother's cosyns detested him for shamyng of his mother, and his father's supposed kinne rejoysed in gaining the patrimony and possessions. Charles duke of Orleaunce heryng of this judgment, took hym into his family, and gave hym greate offices and fees, which he well deserved, for (during his captivitie) he defended his landes, expulsed the Englishmen, and in conclusion, procured his deliverance. - Hall, ff. 104. There can be no doubt that Shakespeare had this anecdote in his mind when he wrote the first scene wherein the bastard Falconbridge is introduced. When the duke of Orleans was so villainously assassinated by order of the duke of Burgundy, the murder was thought at first to have been perpetrated by Sir Aubert de Cauny, says Monstrellet (Johnes's translation, vol. i. p. 198.), from the great hatred he bore the duke for having carried off his wife; but the truth was soon known who were the guilty persons, and that Sir Aubert was perfectly innocent of the crime. Marietta d'Enguien was the name of the adulteress. "On rapporte que la duchesse d'Orléans, Valentine de Milan, princesse célébré par son esprit et par son courage, ayant à la nouvelle de la morte sanglante de son époux, rassemblé toute sa maison et les principaux seigneurs de son parti, leur addressa ces paroles: Qui de vous marchera le premier pour venger la mort du frère de son Roy?' Frappé de terreur, chacun gardait un morne silence. Indignë de voir que personne ne répondit à ce noble appel, le petit Jean d'Orléans (Dunois), alors âgé de sex ans et demi, s'avança tout à coup au milieu de l'assemblée, et s'écria Cheer'd with the Trobador's sweet minstrelsy,1 On what might profit France, and found no hope, In the castle-hall. He knew the old man well, "Good my Lord, I come An old man's weakness. But, in truth, this Maid While he spake, chasteau de Vaucouleur, qui est assez prochain de la: auquel elle pria tres instanment qu'il la fist mener devers le Roy de France, en leur disant qu'il estoit tres necessaire qu'elle parlast a luy pour le bien de son royaume, et que elle luy feroit grand secours et aide a recouvrer son dict royaume, et que Dieu le vouloit ainsi, et que il luy avoit esté revelé par plusieurs fois. Des quelles parolles il ne faissoit que rire et se mocquer et la reputoit incensee: toutes fois elle persevera tant et si longuement qu'il luy bailla un gentelhomme, nommè Ville Robert, et quelque nombre de gens, les quels la menerent devers le Roy que pour lors estoit a Chinon." d'une voix animée: Ce sera moy, madame, et je me monstreray digne d'estre son fils.' Depuis ce moment, Valentine oubliant la naissance illégitime de ce jeune prince, avait conçu pour lui une affection vraiment maternelle. On lui avait entendu dire au lit de la mort, et par une espece de preséntiment de la grandeur future de ce héros, Qu'il luy avoit esté emblé, et qu'il n'y avoit nul de ses enfans qui fust si bien taillé à venger la mort de son père.' Cette ardeur de vengeance l'entraîna même d'abord trop loin, et c'est à peu près l'unique reproche qu'on puisse faire à la jeunesse de ce guerrier. Il se vanta quelquefois, dans la première moitié de sa vie d'avoir immolé de sa main dix mille Bourguignons aux mânes de son père.” — Le Brun de Charmettes, T. i. 99. Lorraine, according to Chaucer, was famous for its old; of favour was she counted likesome, of person stronglie singers. There mightest thou se these flutours, Minstrallis and eke jogelours, That wel to singin did ther paine; Some songin songis of Loraine, For in Loraine ther notis be Full swetir than in this contre. Romaunt of the Rose. No mention is made of the Lorraine songs in the corresponding lines of the original. La estoient herpeurs, fleuteurs, v. 770-773. 2 The following account of Joan of Arc is extracted from a history of the siege of Orleans, "prise de mot à mot, sans aucun changement de langage, d'un vieil exemplaire escrit a la main en parchemin, et trouvé en la maison de la dicte ville d'Orleans."-Troyes, 1621. "Or en ce temps avoit une jeunne fille au pais de Lorraine, aagee de dix-huict ans ou environ, nommee Janne, natifue d'un paroisse nomme Dompre, fille d'un Laboureur nomme Jacques Tart; qui jamais n'avoit fait autre chose que garder les bestes aux champs, a la quelle, ainsi qu'elle disoit, avoit estè revelè que Dieu vouloit qu'elle allast devers le Roi Charles septiesme, pour luy aider et le conseiller a recouvrer son royaume et ses villes et places que les Anglois avoient conquises en ses pays. La quelle revelation elle n'osa dire ses pere et mere, pource qu'elle sçavoit bien que jamais n'eussent consenty qu'elle y fust allee; et le persuada tant qu'il la mena devers un gentelhomme nomme Messire Robert de Baudricourt, qui pour lors estoit Cappitaine de la ville ou 3 This agrees with the account of her age given by Holinshed, who calls her "a young wench of an eighteene years made and manlie, of courage great, hardie, and stout withall; an understander of counsels though she were not at them, greet semblance of chastitie, both of bodie and behaviour, the name of Jesus in hir mouth about all her businesses, humble, obedient, and fasting divers days in the weeke." -Holinshed, 600. De Serres speaks thus of her, "A young maiden named Joan of Arc, born in a village upon the Marches of Barre called Domremy, neere to Vaucouleurs, of the age of eighteene or twenty years, issued from base parents, her father was named James of Arc, and her mother Isabel, poore countrie folkes, who had brought her up to keep their cattell. She said with great boldnesse that she had a revelation how to succour the king, how he might be able to chase the English from Orleance, and after that to cause the king to be crowned at Rheims, and to put him fully and wholly in pos session of his realme. "After she had delivered this to her father, mother, and their neighbours, she presumed to go to the lord of Baudricourt, provost of Vaucoleurs; she boldly delivered unto him, after an extraordinary manner, all these great mysteries, as much wished for of all men as not hoped for: especially coming from the mouth of a poore country maide, whom they might with more reason beleeve to be possessed of some melancholy humour, than divinely inspired; being the instrument of so many excellent remedies, in so desperat a season, after the vaine striving of so great and famous personages. At the first he mocked and reproved her, but having heard her with more patience, and judging by her temperate discourse and modest countenance that she spoke not idely, in the end he resolves to present her to the king for his discharge. So she arrives at Chinon the sixt day of May, attired like a man. "She had a modest countenance, sweet, civill, and resolute; her discourse was temperate, reasonable, and retired, Upon her cheek, yet had the loveliest hues "I have heard Of this your niece's malady," replied So as Sir Robert ceased, the Maiden cried, Yea.. I must save the country!.. God is in me; At the first For folly. "Damsel !" said the Chief," methinks It would be wisely done to doubt this call, To self-destruction." "Wilt thou go with me, Maiden, to the King, Then Dunois address'd "Gon's blessing go with ye!" exclaim'd old Claude, Nor was the Mald, "Doubt!" the Maid exclaim'd, Had arm'd, the steeds stood ready at the gate. "It were as easy when I gaze around Green fields and tufted woods, and the blue depth But then she fell upon the old man's neck To doubt God's goodness! There are feelings, Chief, Tidings of joy for all, but most for thee! Which cannot lie; and I have oftentimes Felt in the midnight silence of my soul The call of GOD." They listen'd to the Maid, And they almost believed. Then spake Dunois, Be this thy comfort!" The old man received So on they went, camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained her actions cold, shewing great chastity. Having spoken to Then said I, Ah, LORD GOD, behold I cannot speak, for I am a child. butes to her." But the Lord said unto me, Say not I am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I com Edward Grimeston, the translator, calls her in the margin, mand thee, thou shalt speak. "Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Be Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces fure I formed lest I confound thee before them." Jeremiah, chap. i. And now along the mountain's winding path Dark and distinct; below its castled height, Now form'd a mass of shade. The distant plain The Maiden gazed Then said the Son of Orleans, "Holy Maid ! I ask the story. In the hour of age, "A simple tale," the mission'd Maid replied; "Yet may it well employ the journeying hour, And pleasant is the memory of the past. "See'st thou, Sir Chief, where yonder forest skirts A parent's love; for harsh my mother was, 1 "But as for the mighty man he had the earth, and the qui sont d'azur à un' espée droite couronnée et poigné d'or, honourable man dwelt in it. Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom."-Job. 2 While the English and French contend for dominion, sovereignty and life itself, men's goods in France were violently taken by the license of war, churches spoiled, men every where murthered or wounded, others put to death or tortured, matrons ravished, maids forcibly drawn from out their parents' arms to be deflowered; towns daily taken, daily spoyled, daily defaced, the riches of the inhabitants carried whither the conquerors think good; houses and villages round about set on fire, no kind of cruelty is left unpractised upon the miserable French, omitting many hundred kind of other calamities which all at once oppressed them. Add hereunto that the commonwealth, being destitute of the help of laws (which for the most part are mute in times of war and mutiny), floateth up and down without any anchorage at right or justice. Neither was England herself void of these mischiefs, who every day heard the news of her valiant children's funerals, slain in perpetual skirmishes and bickerings, her general wealth continually ebbed and wained, so that the evils seemed almost equal, and the whole western world echoed the groans and sighs of either nation's quarrels, being the common argument of speech and compassion through Christendom."Speed. 3 When Montaigne saw it in 1580, the front of the house was covered with paintings representing the history of the Maid. He says, "Ses descendans furent annoblis par faveur du Roi, et nous monstrarent les armes que le Roi leur donna, et deux fleurs de lis d'or au coté de ladite espée; de quoy un receveur de Vaucouleur donna un escusson peint à M. de Caselis. Le devant de la maisonette où elle naquit est toute peinte de ses gestes; mais l'aage en a fort corrumpu la peinture. Il y a aussi un abre le long d'une vigne qu'on nomme l'abre de la Pucelle, qui n'a nulle autre chose à remerquer." Voyages de Montaigne, i. p. 17. "Ce n'etait qu'une maisonette; et cependant elle a subsisté jusqu'à nos jours, grâce au zèle national du maire et des habitans de Domremy, qui pendant les dernières années du gouvernement impérial, voyant qu'on refusait de leur allouer la somme nécessaire pour son entretien, y suppléèrent par une souscription volontaire; tant le respect et la vénération que les vertus inspirent, peuvent quelquefois prolonger la durée des monumens les plus simples et les plus fragiles."Le Brun de Charmettes, T. i. 244. It appears, however, that whatever might be the respect and veneration of the inhabitants for this illustrious heroine and martyr, they allowed the cottage in which she was born to be villainously desecrated, very soon after their national feeling had been thus praised. The author, whose book was published only in the second year (1817) after the overthrow of the Imperial Government, adds the following note to this passage: "Depuis l'époque où ce passage à été écrit, il parait que les choses sont fort changées. On lit ce qui suit dans le Narrateur de la Meuse: Les chambres où logèrent cette héroïne et ses parens sont converties en étables; des vils animaux occupent l'emplacement du lit de Jeanne d'Arc, son armoire vermoulue renferme des ustensiles d'écurie.'" For he would take me on his knee, and tell Such wondrous tales as childhood loves to hear, Listening with eager eyes and open lips Devoutly in attention. Good old man! Oh if I ever pour'd a prayer to Heaven Unhallow'd by the grateful thought of him, Methinks the righteous winds would scatter it! He was a parent to me, and his home Was mine, when in advancing years I found No peace, no comfort in my father's house. With him I pass'd the pleasant evening hours, By day I drove my father's flock afield, 1 And this was happiness. "Amid these wilds Often to summer pasture have I driven The flock; and well I know these woodland wilds, | And every bosom'd vale, and valley stream 1 Scarce sends the sound of waters now, and watch'd That passed across the mind like summer clouds "In solitude and peace Here I grew up, amid the loveliest scenes Of unpolluted nature. Sweet it was, As the white mists of morning roll'd away, To lay me down, and watch the floating clouds, Bright shone the sun, the birds sung cheerfully, That spake not. Never can my heart forget The feelings that shot through me, when the horn "More frequent now Sought I the converse of poor Madelon, And weeks and months pass'd on; and when the leaves That never could return, as though she found "DEATH! to the happy thou art terrible; I saw her eye kindle with heavenly hope, I had her latest look of earthly love, I felt her hand's last pressure. . . . Son of Orleans! that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things; yea unto him that is yet able to receive meat! "O Death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!"— Ecclesiasticus, xli. 1, 2. |