that all could behold her fair and expressive features, her deep-set and earnest eyes, and her long black hair, which was parted across her fore-head, and bound by a ribbon behind her back. She wore at her side a small battle-axe, and the consecrated sword, marked on the blade with five crosses, which had at her bidding been taken for her from the shrine of Saint Catherine at Fierbois. A page carried her banner, which she had caused to be made and embroidered, as her Voices enjoined. It was white satin,[1] strewn with fleurs-de-lis; and on it were the words "Jhesus Maria," and the representation of the Saviour in his glory. Joan afterwards generally bore her banner herself in battle; she said that though she loved her sword much, she loved her banner forty times as much; and she loved to carry it because it could not kill any one.
Thus accoutred she came to lead the troops of France, who looked with soldierly admiration on her well proportioned and upright figure, the skill with which she managed her war-horse, and the easy grace with which she handled her weapons. Her military education had been short, but she bad availed herself of it well. She had also the
- ↑ "Procés de Jeanne d'Arc," vol. i. p. 238.
Orleans, which is believed to bear an authentic portrait of the Maid, in Murray's "Hand-book for France," p. 175.
