CHAPTER V. HOW THE MAID JOURNEYED TO CHINON.
So the thing had come to pass at last--as she had always said itmust. Robert de Baudricourt was about to send her to the Court ofthe Dauphin at Chinon. The weary days of waiting were at an end.She was to start forthwith; she and her escort were alike ready,willing, and eager. Her strange mystic faith and lofty courageseemed to have spread through the ranks of the chosen few who wereto attend her.
I trow, had she asked it, half the men of Vaucouleurs would havegladly followed in her train; for the whole town was moved to itscore by the presence of the Maid in its midst. Almost were thetownsfolk ready to worship her, only that there was something inher own simplicity and earnest piety which forbade suchdemonstration. All knew that the Maid herself would be first torebuke any person offering to her homage other than true man canand ought to offer to true woman.
And now let me speak here, once and for all, of the love andreverence and devotion which the Maid had power to kindle in thehearts of those with whom she came in contact. I can indeed speakof this, for I am proud to this day to call myself her true knight.From the first I felt towards her as I have felt to none since--noteven to the wife of my manhood's tried affections. It was such alove as may be inspired by some almost angelic, presence--there wasno passion in it. I believe I speak truly when I say that not oneof the Maid's true followers and knights and comrades-in-arms, everthought of her as possible wife--ever even dreamed of her as lover.She moved amongst us as a being from another sphere. She inspiredus with a courage, a power, and a confidence in her and in ourcause, which nothing could shake or daunt. She was like a star, setin the firmament of heaven. Our eyes, our hearts turned towardsher, but she was never as one of us.
Still less was she as other women are, fashioned for softflatteries, ready to be wooed and won. Ah, no! With the Maid it wasfar otherwise. Truly do I think that of herself she had no thought,save as she was the instrument appointed of her Lord to do theappointed work. To that task her whole soul was bent. It filled herto the full with an ecstasy of devotion which required no words inwhich to express itself. And I can faithfully say that it was notthe beauty of her face, the sweetness of her ringing voice, nor thegrace and strength of her supple form which made of men her willingfollowers and servants.
No, it was a power stronger and more sacred than any such carnaladmiration. It came from the conviction, which none could fail toreach, that this Maid was indeed chosen and set apart of Heaven fora great and mighty work, and that in obeying her, one was obeyingthe will of God, and working out some purpose determined in thecounsels of the heavenlies.
With her man's garb and light armour, the Maid had assumed an airof unconscious command which sat with curious graceful dignity uponthe serene calm of her ordinary demeanour. Towards her followers ofthe humbler sort she ever showed herself full of consideration andkindliness. She felt for their fatigues or privations in marching,was tenderly solicitous later on for the wounded. Above all, shewas insistent that the dying should receive the consolations ofreligion, and it was a terrible thought to her that either friendor foe should perish unshriven and unassoiled.
Her last act at Vaucouleurs, ere we started off in the early dawnof a late February day, was to attend Mass with all her following.
An hour later, after a hasty meal provided by De Baudricourt, wewere all in the saddle, equipped and eager for the start. The Maidsat her chestnut charger as to the manner born. The pawings of theimpatient animal caused her no anxiety. She was looking with a keeneye over her little band of followers, taking in, as a practisedleader of men might do, their equipment and general readiness forthe road. She pointed out to me several small defects whichrequired adjusting and rectifying.
Already she seemed to have assumed without effort, and as a matterof course, the position of leader and general. There was noabatement of her gentle sweetness of voice or aspect, but the airof command combined with it as though it came direct and withouteffort as a gift from heaven. None resented it; all submitted toit, and submitted with a sense of lofty joy and satisfaction whichI have never experienced since, and which is beyond my power todescribe.
There was one change in the outward aspect of the Maid, for herbeautiful hair had been cut off, and now her head was crowned onlyby its cluster of short curling locks, upon which today she wore acloth cap, though soon she was to adopt the headpiece whichbelonged to the light armour provided. She had been pleased by thedress of white and blue cut-cloth which I had humbly offered her,and right well did it become her. The other suit provided by thetownsfolk was carried by one of the squires, that she might havechange of garment if (as was but too probable) we should encounterdrenching rains or blustering snow storms.
So far she had no sword of her own, nor had she spoken of the needof such a weapon for herself. But as we assembled in the courtyardof the Castle, getting ourselves into the order of the march, DeBaudricourt himself appeared upon the steps leading into thebuilding, bearing in his hands a sword in a velvet scabbard, whichhe gravely presented to the Maid.
"A soldier, lady, has need of a weapon," were his words, as heplaced it in her hands; "take this sword, then. I trow it will doyou faithful service; and may the Lord in whom you trust lead youto victory, and save this distracted realm of France from theperils which threaten to overwhelm her!"
"I thank you, Seigneur de Baudricourt," she answered, as she tookthe weapon, and permitted me to sling it for her in the belt forthe purpose which she already wore, "I will keep your gift, andremember your good words, and how that you have been chosen ofheaven to send me forth thus, and have done the bidding of theLord, as I knew that so true a man must needs do at the appointedtime. For the rest, have no fear. The Lord will accomplish thatwhich He has promised. Before the season now beginning so tardilyhas reached its height, the Dauphin will be the anointed King ofFrance, the English will have suffered defeat and Orleans will befree!"
"Heaven send you speak sooth, fair Maid," answered the rugged oldsoldier, as he eyed the slim figure before him with something ofmingled doubt, wonder, and reverence in his eyes.
Then as though some strange impulse possessed him, he took her handand kissed it, and bending the knee before her, said:
"Give me, I pray you, a blessing, ere you depart!"
A wonderful light sprang into her eyes. She laid her hand upon thegrizzled head, and lifted her own face, as was her wont, to thesunny sky.
"The blessing of the King of Heaven be upon you, Robert deBaudricourt, in that you have been an instrument chosen of Him. Thegrace and love of our Blessed Lady be yours, in that you have shownkindness and favour to a simple maid of the people, set apart byHeaven for a certain task. The favour and protection of the Saintsbe yours, in that you have believed the words of one who spake ofthem, and have been obedient to the command sent to you from them!"
She ceased speaking; but still continued to gaze upward with raptand earnest eyes. Every head was bared, and we all gazed upon her,as upon one who looks through the open Gate of Heaven, and to whomis vouchsafed a glimpse of the Beatific Vision.
Then clear and sweet her voice rose once more. Her face wastransfigured; a great light seemed to shine either upon or from it,no man could say which.
"O Lord God, Father of the Heavenlies, O sweet Jesu, Saviour ofmankind, O Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven, O Holy Michael,Archangel of the shining sword, O Blessed Saints--Catherine andMargaret, beloved of Heaven--give to these, Your children, Yourblessing, Your help, Your protection, Your counsel! Be with us inour journeyings--in our uprising and down lying, in our going outand coming in--in all we put our hands unto! Be with us and upholdus, and bring us in safety to our journey's end; for we go forth inthe strength which is from above, and which can never fail us tillthe work appointed be accomplished!"
Then we rode forth, out of the courtyard, and into the streets ofthe town, which were thronged and lined with townsfolk, and withpeople from the surrounding villages, who had crowded in to see thewonderful Maid, and witne
ss the outgoing of the little band whichwas to accompany her to Chinon.
Two of the Maid's brothers had sought to be of her train, and onewent with us upon that day. The second she sent back with a letter(written at her dictation by my fingers, for she herself knew notletters, though of so quick an understanding in other matters) toher parents, praying earnestly for their forgiveness for what mustseem to them like disobedience, and imploring their blessing. Andthis letter she dispatched by Jean, permitting Pierre to accompanyus on the march.
Her mother and two younger brothers, at least, believed in hermission by this time; but her father was doubtful and displeased,fearful for her safety, and suspicious of her credentials; and theeldest son remained of necessity at home to help his father, andwhether or no he believed in his sister's call, I have never trulyheard. But I know it pleased her that Pierre should be in herescort, though she was careful not to show him any marked favourabove others; and as in days to come she was more and more thrownwith the great ones of the land, she of necessity was much partedfrom him, though the bond of sisterly love was never slackened; andboth Pierre, and afterwards Jean, followed her through all theearlier parts of her victorious career.
Leaving Vaucouleurs, we had need to march with circumspection, forthe country was in no settled state, and it was probable thatrumours of our march might have got abroad, and that roving bandsof English or Burgundian soldiers might be on the look out for us;for already it was being noised abroad that a miraculous Maid hadappeared to the aid of France, and though, no doubt, men jeered,and professed incredulity, still it was likely that she would beregarded in the light of a valuable prize if she could be carriedoff, and taken either to Duke Philip or to the Regent Bedford inParis.
We had with us a King's archer from Chinon, who had been sent withnews of the disaster at Rouvray. He was to conduct us back toChinon by the best and safest routes. But he told us that thecountry was beset by roving bands of hostile soldiers, that hiscomrades had been slain, and that he himself only escaped as by amiracle; and his advice was urgent that after the first day weshould travel by night, and lie in hiding during the hours ofdaylight--a piece of advice which we were fain to follow, being nostrong force, able to fight our way through a disturbed country,and being very solicitous for the safety of the precious Maid whowas at once our chiefest hope and chiefest care.
This, then, we did, after that first day's travel in the brightspringtide sunshine. We were attended for many a mile by afollowing of mounted men from the district round, and when, as thesun began to wester in the sky, they took their leave of us, theMaid thanked them with gracious words for their company and goodwishes, though she would not suffer them to kiss her hand or payher homage; and after that they had departed, we did halt for manyhours, eating and resting ourselves; for we meant to march againwhen the moon was up, and not lose a single night, so eager was theMaid to press on towards Chinon.
Of our journey I will not speak too particularly. Ofttimes we werein peril from the close proximity of armed bands, as we lay inwoods and thickets by day, avoiding towns and villages, lest weshould draw too much notice upon ourselves. Ofttimes we sufferedfrom cold, from hunger, from drenching rains and bitter winds. Onceour way was barred by snow drifts, and often the swollen rivers andstreams forced us to wander for miles seeking a ford that waspracticable.
But whatever were the hardships encountered, no word of murmuringever escaped the lips of the Maid; rather her courage and sweetserenity upheld us all, and her example of patience andunselfishness inspired even the roughest of the men-at-arms with adesire to emulate it. Never, methinks, on such a toilsome march wasso little grumbling, so little discouragement, and, above all, solittle swearing. And this, in particular, was the doing of theMaid. For habit is strong with us all, and when things went amissthe oath would rise to the lips of the men about her, and beuttered without a thought.
But that was a thing she could not bear. Her sweet pained facewould be turned upon the speaker. Her clear, ringing tones wouldask the question:
"Shall we, who go forward in the name of the Lord, dare to take Hisholy name lightly upon our lips? What are His own words? Swear notat all. Shall we not seek to obey Him? Are we not vowed to Hisservice? And must not the soldier be obedient above all others?Shall we mock Him by calling ourselves His followers, and yet doingthat without a thought which He hath forbidden?"
Not once nor twice, but many times the Maid had to speak such wordsas these; but she never feared to speak them, and her courage andher purity of heart and life threw its spell over the rough men shehad led, and they became docile in her hands like children, readyto worship the very ground she trod on.
Long afterwards it was told me by one of mine own men-at-arms thatthere had been a regular plot amongst the rougher of the soldiersat the outset to do her a mischief, and to sell her into the handsof the Burgundians or the English. But even before leavingVaucouleurs the men had wavered, half ashamed of their own doubtsand thoughts, and before we had proceeded two days' journeyforward, all, to a man, would have laid down their lives in herservice.
The only matter that troubled the Maid was that we were unable tohear Mass, as she longed to do daily. The risk of showing ourselvesin town or village was too great. But there came a night, when, aswe journeyed, we approached the town of Fierbois, a place very wellknown to me; and when we halted in a wood with the first light ofday, and the wearied soldiers made themselves beds amid the driedfern and fallen leaves, I approached the Maid, who was gazingwistfully towards the tapering spire of a church, visible at somedistance away, and I said to her:
"Gentle Maid, yonder is the church of Sainte Catherine at Fierbois,and there will be, without doubt, early Mass celebrated within itswalls. If you will trust yourself with Bertrand and myself, I trowwe could safely convey you thither, and bring you back again, erethe day be so far advanced that the world will be astir to wonderat us."
Her face brightened as though a sunbeam had touched it. She needednot to reply in words. A few minutes later, and we were walkingtogether through the wood, and had quickly reached the church,where the chiming of the bell told us that we should not bedisappointed of our hope.
We knelt at the back of the church, and there were few worshippersthere that morning. I could not but watch the face of the Maid, andsuddenly I felt a curious thrill run through me, as though I hadbeen touched by an unseen hand. I looked at her, and upon her facehad come a look which told me that she was listening to some voiceunheard by me. She clasped her hands, her eyes travelled toward thealtar, and remained fixed upon it, as though she saw a vision. Herlips moved, and I thought I heard the murmured words:
"Blessed Sainte Catherine, I hear. I will remember. When the timecomes I shall know what to do."
When the priest had finished his office we slipped out before anyone else moved, and reached the shelter of the woods again withoutencountering any other person. I almost hoped that the Maid wouldspeak to us of what had been revealed to her in that church, butshe kept the matter in her own heart. Yet, methinks, she ponderedit long and earnestly; for although she laid her down as if tosleep, her eyes were generally wide open, looking upwards throughthe leafless budding boughs of the trees as though they beheldthings not of this earth.
It was upon this day that I wrote, at the Maid's request, a letterto the uncrowned King at Chinon, asking of him an audience onbehalf of Jeanne d'Arc, the maiden from Domremy, of whom he hadprobably heard. This letter I dispatched to Sir Guy de Laval,asking him to deliver it to the King with his own hands, and tobring us an answer ere we reached Chinon, which we hoped now to doin a short while.
The missive was carried by the King's archer, who knew his roadright well, and was acquainted with the person of Sir Guy. He wasto ride forward in all haste, whilst we were to follow in slowerand more cautious fashion.
I think it was about the fifth day of March when the great towersof Chinon first broke upon our gaze. We had been travelling all thenight, and it was just as the dawn was breakin
g that we espied thehuge round turrets rising, as it were, from amid the mists whichclung about the river and its banks. There we halted, for nomessage had yet come from the King; but upon the Maid's face was alook of awe and radiant joy as she stood a little apart, gazingupon the goal of her toilsome journey. No fear beset her as to herreception, just as no fears had troubled her with regard to perilsby the way.
"God clears the road for me," she said, when news had been broughtfrom time to time of bands of soldiers whom we had narrowlyescaped; and now, as she looked upon the towers of Chinon, growingmore and more distinct as the daylight strengthened, her face worea smile of serene confidence in which natural fear and shrinkinghad no part.
"The Dauphin will receive me. Fear nothing. The work which is begunwill go forward to its completion. God hath spoken in His power. Hehath spoken, and His word cannot fail."
So after we had fed she lay down, wrapped in a cloak, and fellasleep like a child; whilst I rode forward a little way along theplain, for I had seen a handful of horsemen sallying forth, as itseemed from the Castle, and I hoped that it was Sir Guy bearingletter or message from the King.
Nor was I mistaken in this hope. Soon I was certain of my man, andSir Guy in turn recognising me, spurred forward in advance of hisfollowers, and we met alone in the plain, Bertrand, my companion,being with me.
"So there really is to be a miracle worked, and by a Maid!" criedSir Guy, as we rode with him towards our camp; "Mort de Dieu--butit is passing strange! All the Court is in a fever of wonder aboutthis Angelic Maid, as some call her; whilst others vow she iseither impostor or witch. Is it the same, Bertrand, of whom you didspeak upon the day we parted company?"
"The same; and yet in one way not the same, for since then she hathgrown apace in power and wonder, so that all who see her marvel ather, and some be ready to worship her. But we will say no more. Youshall see for yourself, and the King also shall see, if he refusenot to receive one who comes to him as the messenger of God."
"I am sent to conduct the Maid presently to the Castle," answeredSir Guy. "There is now great desire to see her and hear her, and totry and test the truth of her mission. The Generals scoff aloud atthe thought of going to battle with a maid for leader. TheChurchmen look grave, and talk of witchcraft and delusion. Theladies of the Court are in a fever to see her. As for the King andhis Ministers, they are divided in mind 'twixt hope and fear; buttruly matters are come to such desperate pass with us that, if somehelp come not quickly, the King will flee him away from hisdistracted realm, and leave the English and Burgundians to ravageand subdue at will!"
"God forbid!" said I, and crossed myself.
Scarce had I spoken the words before I saw approaching us on herchestnut charger the Maid herself, who rode forward to meet us at afoot's pace, and reined back a few yards from us, her eyes fixedfull upon the face of Sir Guy, who uncovered, I scarce know why,for how should he know that this youthful soldier was indeed theMaid herself?
"You come from the Dauphin," she said; "go tell him that thedarkest hour but heralds the dawn. He must not flee away. He muststay to face his foes. I will lead his armies to victory, and heshall yet be crowned King of France. Let him never speak more ofdeserting his realm. That shall not--that must not be!"
Sir Guy was off his horse by now; he bent his knee to the Maid.
"I will tell the King that the Deliverer hath truly come," he said;and taking her hand, ere she could prevent it, he reverently kissedit.
A Heroine of France: The Story of Joan of Arc Page 5