But these are
exceptional seasons, and, for the most part, he merely rides
at the Gascon's bridle over devastated France. His very
party go, not by the name of Orleans, but by the name of
Armagnac, Paris is in the hands of the butchers: the peasants
have taken to the woods. Alliances are made and broken as if
in a country dance; the English called in, now by this one,
now by the other. Poor people sing in church, with white
faces and lamentable music: "DOMINE JESU, PARCE POPULO TUO,
DIRIGE IN VIAM PACIS PRINCIPES." And the end and upshot of
the whole affair for Charles of Orleans is another peace with
John the Fearless. France is once more tranquil, with the
tranquillity of ruin; he may ride home again to Blois, and
look, with what countenance he may, on those gems he had got
engraved in the early days of his resentment, "SOUVENEZ-VOUS
DE - " Remember! He has killed Polonius, to be sure; but
the king is never a penny the worse.
(1) Champollion-Figeac, pp. 279-82.
(2) Michelet, iv. pp. 123-4.
II.
From the battle of Agincourt (Oct. 1415) dates the second
period of Charles's life. The English reader will remember
the name of Orleans in the play of HENRY V.; and it is at
least odd that we can trace a resemblance between the puppet
and the original. The interjection, "I have heard a sonnet
begin so to one's mistress" (Act iii.
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