arch as common
foot-soldiers.

But, while all France called on her King, he was dwelling at Sully, in
the castle of La Tremouille, a man who had a foot in either camp, so that
neither English nor Burgundians had ever raided on his rich lands, when
these lay in their power. So, what with the self-seeking, and sloth, and
jealousy of La Tremouille; what with the worldly policy of the Archbishop
of Reims, crying Peace, where there was no peace, the Maid and the
captains were not listened to, or, if they were heard, their plans were
wrought out with a faint heart, so that, at last, if it is lawful to say
so, the will of men prevailed over the will of Heaven.

Never, I pray, may any prince of my own country be so bestead, and so ill-
served, that, when he has won battles and gained cities two or three, and
needs but to ride forward and win all his kingdom, he shall be turned
back by the little faith of his counsellors! Never may such a thing
befall a prince of Scotland! Concerning these matters of State, as may
be believed, we devised much at Tours, while messengers were coming and
going, and long, weary councils were being held at Sully and at Gien.
D'Alencon, we got news, was all for striking a blow yet more bold than
the march to Reims, and would have attacked the English where they were
strongest, and nearest their own shores, namely, at Rouen. The
counsellors of the peaceful sort were inclined to waste time in besieging
La Charite, and other little towns on Loire-side. But her Voices had
bidden the Maid, from the first, to carry the Dauphin to Reims, that
there he might be anointed, and known to France for the very King. So at
last, finding that time was sorely wasted, whereas all hope lay in a
swift stroke, ere the English could muster men, and bring over the army
lately raised by the Cardinal of Winchester to go crusading against the
miscreants of Bohemia--the Maid rode out of Gien, with her own company,
on June the twenty-seventh, and lodged in the fields, some four leagues
away, on the road to Auxerre. And next day the King and the Court
followed her perforce, with a great army of twelve thousand men.
Thenceforth there came news to us every day in Tours, and all the news
was good. Town after town opened its gates at the summons of the Maid,
and notably Troyes and Chalons, in despite of the English garrisons.

We were all right glad, and could scarce sleep for joy, above all when a
messenger rode in, one Tho