Reviews.

Her , Avhose still distant power they dared deride , Their courage sank , their arms were raised in vain , No longer strong the stubborn hoAV to strain . Andby some horrid fascination bound ,

, They peered through the dim night , and feared each sound . High beat the heart of Orleans , Avhen at last , Untouched by enemy , unharmed by blast , Through the huge gates the midnight army

passed , And thousands flocked the holy Maid to meet , To kiss the ground made sacred •by her feet !—The Maid , before whom Hope and Plenty

flew , While Want and Death fled cowering from her view , — The Maid announced by thunder , borne by storm , AAHio came their late deliverance to perform . And now 'twere long to hear , and long to tell

HOAV Joan fought , and how the English fell ; How to proud Gladsdale a SAvift arrow bore Another summons , Avarning as before ; And how a second convoy passed unharmed Through lines , whose guards by terror seemed disharmed ;

How the first sally issued forth that night , And the Maid by dreams Avas summoned to the fight ! HOAV round St . Loup three hours the war was Avaged , And Joan ' gainst the foe resistless raged ;

And how at length she started to attack Tournelles , and cautious Gaucour Avarned her back , Sternly refusing the great gate to unbar , Or send his soldiers forth to hopeless Avar ; How then the city rose with one consent

Against their chief and his firm purpose bent ; And how at length the intrepid Gladsdale fell , And Talbot saAV the flames of proud Tournelles !

Let this suffice that , from the fatal hour Of Joan ' s entrance , some mysterious power Seemed to have paralysed the invading host ;

That fort on fort , and fight on fight was lost ; Till , last , the English generals agree To heat retreat—and Orleans is free ! Thus , spite of doubting friend and poAverful foe

, The Maid had kept the first part of her VOAV ; Thus she had roused in all new hope and zeal , And France at last awoke her strength to feel .

AVe slip over intervening portions and draw near the sad finale—Thus strove the fierce Burgundians ' gainst the foe ; Thus on their steps the French retreated slow ;

Thus o ' er the narrow bridge they streamed again , And crowded through the gates of sad Compiegne .

Now all are safe , save those behind , who Avait Around the Maid to cover the retreat . Now Pierre has entered , Avith the banner white All stained with blood and draggled in the fight ;

Now Joan , close pursued , draws near the gate , AVhere pale , yet firm , the anxious warders wait ; Now in the very entrance seems to stand , —

When it is sudden closed by secret hand . Who did that cursed deed God saw alone : The hideous secret ne'er to man Avas known . 'Tis true that Flavis' Avidow , when arraigned For midnight murder of her husband , feigned

That he had shut out Joan from the toAvn , Through jealousy of his eclipsed renown ; And that the Maid oft came in night ' s still hour , And shoAved the sleeping traitor in her poAver . But who can credence give to injured wife , Or frantic Avoman pleading for dear life ?

Then Joan cast one glance to Heaven foi aid , And turned upon the foe , who shrank dismayed j