The sun shone yellow and slanting down the streets; out of the shadow of the minster came the bells, ringing for war.

The armed townsfolk thronged the ways, and one man, old and ill-clad, brought to the Maid a great fish which he had caught overnight in the Loire.

Our host prayed her to wait till it should be cooked, that she might breakfast well, for she had much to do.

Yet she, who scarce seemed to live by earthly meat, but by the will of God, took only a sop of bread dipped in wine, and gaily leaping to her selle and gathering the reins, as a lady bound for a hunting where no fear was, she cried, "Keep the fish for supper, when I will bring back a goddon {25} prisoner to eat his part.

And to-night, gentle sir, my host, I will return by the bridge!"-- which, as we deemed, might in no manner be, for an arch of the bridge was broken.