VI.
This dear-bought victory brought more relief
Than joy, by its event too much outweighed,
The loss of that French captain and our chief[5],
Whom dead we on the fatal field surveyed;
And swallowed in one storm, for further grief,
So many glorious princes, who, arrayed
For safeguard of their own, or neighbouring lands,
Had poured through frozen Alps their friendly bands.
VII.
Our present safety, and life held in fear,
We see assured us by this victory,
That saved us from the wintry tempest drear,
Which would have whelmed us from Jove’s angry sky[6].
But ill can we rejoice, while yet the tear
Is standing in full many a widow’s eye,
Who weeping and attired in sable, vents,
Throughout all grieving France, her loud laments.
VIII.
’Tis meet King Lewis should find new supplies.
Of chiefs by whom his troops may be arrayed,
Who for the lilies’ honour shall chastise
The hands which so rapaciously have preyed;
Who brethren, black and white, in shameful wise,
Have outraged, sister, mother, wife, and maid,
And cast on earth Christ’s sacrament divine,
With the intent to thieve his silver shrine.
