Convince the Dauphin now, dear Joan, convince
Him now; forget the peasant business. Wage
Charm on him: boy-cut hair and virgin grace.
Assert his strength to raise the English siege.
The scene is mandatory, so the spell
Only awaits your touching. They are real
Your voices: stop to listen, Joan. They call
To battle Christ and lily shod in steel.
No, do not throw your arms about: your face
Is your chief weapon. See, he starts to waver—
Seduced somewhat. Press your advantage now,
Make him proclaim you France's spur and savior.
No hesitation now; depart in joy.
There will be space for sorrow at the stake
In Rouen, when the black Inquisitor
Finds your bright maidenhead too bright to break.
The Eternal Ingénue
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
Today’s text from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith makes clear that henceforth, as a rule, the Holy See will not declare any alleged spiritual phenomenon, such as an apparition, as authentic‚ that is, “of divine origin.”
Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop Robert Barron and Bishop Daniel Flores joined moderator Gloria Purvis for a roundtable discussion on the rise of polarization in the church.
Whether carefully reflected upon or chosen at random, picking a confirmation name is a personal and spiritual journey for Catholics, reflecting a connection to the saints or a loved one and a commitment to embodying their virtues.
In young people preparing for confirmation, I see a yearning for something more in their lives, beyond the noise and distractions of technology and social isolation.