A Ballad of Orleans

1429
  
The fray began at the middle-gate, 
  Between the night and the day; 
Before the matin bell was rung 
  The foe was far away. 
There was no knight in the land of France 
  Could gar that foe to flee, 
Till up there rose a young maiden, 
  And drove them to the sea. 
 
  Sixty forts around Orleans town, 
    And sixty forts of stone! 
  Sixty forts at our gates last night— 
    To-day there is not one! 
 
Talbot, Suffolk, and Pole are fled 
  Beyond the Loire, in fear— 
Many a captain who would not drink, 
  Hath drunken deeply there— 
Many a captain is fallen and drowned, 
  And many a knight is dead, 
And many die in the misty dawn 
  While forts are burning red. 
 
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! 
 
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 do not 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!