[A Monk of Fife by Andrew Lang]@TWC D-Link book
A Monk of Fife

CHAPTER IX--OF THE WINNING OF ELLIOT
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So he bade carry her to Poictiers, where the doctors and the learned were but now examining into her holy life, and her knowledge of religion, being amazed by the wisdom of her answers.

The noble ladies about her, too, and these mendicant friars that were sent to hold inquisition concerning her at Domremy, had found in her nothing but simplicity and holy maidenhood, pity and piety.
But, as for a sign of her sending, and a marvel to convince all men's hearts, that, she said, she would only work at Orleans.

So now she was being accepted, and was to raise her standard, as we had cause to believe.
"But," said Elliot, "the weeks go by, and much is said, and men and victual are to be gathered, and still they tarry, doing no great deed.
Oh, would that to-day her standard were on the wind! for to-day, and for these many days, I must have you here, and tend you till you be fit to bear arms." Therewith she made me much good cheer; then, very tenderly taking her arms from about me, lest I should be hurt again, she cried-- "But we speak idly, and thou hast not seen the standard, and the banner, and the pennon of the Maid that my father is painting." Then I must lean on her shoulder, as, indeed, I still had cause to do, and so, right heedfully, she brought me into the painting-chamber.

There, upon great easels, were stretched three sheets of "bougran," {21} very white and glistering--a mighty long sheet for the standard, a smaller one, square, for the banner, and the pennon smaller yet, in form of a triangle, as is customary.
The great standard, in the Maiden's wars, was to be used for the rallying of all her host; the pennon was a signal to those who fought around her, as guards of her body; and about the banner afterwards gathered, for prayer and praise, those men, confessed and clean of conscience, whom she had called and chosen.
These cloths were now but half painted, the figures being drawn, by my master's hands, and the ground-colours laid; but some portions were quite finished, very bright and beautiful.

On the standard was figured God the Father, having the globe in His hand; two angels knelt by Him, one holding for His blessing the lily of France.


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