You, Duke of Bedfort, the Maid prays and beseeches you that you bring not destruction upon yourself.

If you do her right, you may come in her company where the French will do the fairest deed ever done for Christendom.

And if ye will have peace in the city of Orleans, then make ye answer; and, if not, then remember it will be to your great hurt and that shortly.

Written this Tuesday of Holy Week.
[Footnote 883: The King of France himself designated as _good_ such of his towns as he wished to honour.] [Footnote 884: Compare: "Et ardirent la ville et _violerent l'abbaye_." ("And burnt the town and _violated the abbey_.") Froissart, quoted by Littre.

As early as _Le chanson de Roland_ we find: "_Les castels pris, les cites violees._" ("The castles taken, the cities violated.")] [Footnote 885: The deliverance of the Duke of Orleans.