Marguérite of France, wife of St. Louis, while besieged by the Turks in Damietta, during the captivity of the king her husband, gave birth to a son, whom she named Tristan, in commemoration of her misfortunes. In this helpless situation, hearing that the crusaders were about to capitulate with the enemy she summoned the knights to her apartment, and the words she uttered stirred their spirits like the tones of a trumpet. Her address has been immortalized in such beautiful verse, by Mrs. Hemans, that I cannot forbear quoting some of the stanzas: “The honor of the lily Is in your hands to keep, And the Banner of the Cross, for Him Who died on Calvary’s steep: And the city which for Christian prayer Hath heard the holy bell-- And is it _these_ your hearts would yield To the goodless Infidel? “Then bring me here a breastplate, And a helm, before ye fly, And I will gird my woman’s form, And on the ramparts die! And the boy whom I have borne for woe, But never for disgrace, Shall go within mine arms to death Meet for his royal race. “Look on him as he slumbers In the shadow of the Lance! _Then_ go, and with the Cross forsake The princely Babe of France! But tell your homes ye left _one_ heart To perish undefiled; A woman and a queen, to guard Her honor and her child!” No wonder such an appeal met with a thrilling response: “We are thy warriors, lady! True to the Cross and thee! The spirit of thy kindling words On every sword shall be! Rest, with thy fair child on thy breast, Rest, we will guard thee well St. Dennis for the Lily-flower, And the Christian citadel!” Joan of Arc, born of humble parentage, but strong in military courage, and the enthusiasm of prophecy, appeared among the discouraged troops of France, mounted on a milk-white steed, with snowy plumes nodding over her helmet, and in the name of God urged them on to victory. Battle after battle was gained by the consecrated maiden; and history weeps to record that she at last fell a victim to the cruelty of the English and the base ingratitude of the French. Margaret of Anjou twice delivered her husband from prison and placed him on the English throne; nor did she yield to an overpowering torrent of misfortunes, till she had decided twelve battles in person.