Part 106 (1/2)
”It was given to an archbishop, to the Archbishop of Reims, meseemeth in the King's presence. The said Archbishop received it and gave it to the King; and I myself was present; and it is put in the King's treasury.”
”To what place was the crown brought?”
”To the King's chamber in the castle of Chinon.”
”On what day and at what hour?”
”The day I know not, the hour was full day. No further recollection have I of the hour or of the month. But meseemeth it was the month of April or March; it will be two years this month or next April. It was after Easter.”[2360]
[Footnote 2360: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 140, 141.]
”On the first day that you saw the sign did your King see it?”
”Yes. He had it the same day.”
”Of what was the crown made?”
”It is well to know that it was of fine gold, and so rich that I cannot count its riches; and the crown meant that he would hold the realm of France.”
”Were there jewels in it?”
”I have told you that I do not know.”
”Did you touch it or kiss it?”
”No.”
”Did the Angel who bore it come from above, or did he come from the earth?”
”He came from above. I understand that he came by Our Lord's command, and he came in by the door of the chamber.”
”Did the Angel come along the ground, walking from the door of the room?”
”When he was come before the King he did him reverence, bowing low before him and uttering the words concerning the sign which I have already repeated; and thereupon the Angel recalled to the King's mind the great patience he had had in the midst of the long tribulation that had befallen him; and as he came towards the King the Angel walked and touched the ground.”
”How far was it from the door to the King?”
”Methinketh it was a full lance's length;[2361] and as he had come so he returned. When the Angel came, I accompanied him and went with him up the steps into the King's chamber; and the Angel went in first. And I said to the King: 'Sire, behold your sign; take it.'”[2362]
[Footnote 2361: About ten feet (W.S.).]
[Footnote 2362: _Trial_, vol. i, pp. 141-142.]
In a spiritual sense we may say that this fable is true. This crown, which ”flowers sweetly and will flower sweetly if it be well guarded,”[2363] is the crown of victory. When the Maid beholds the Angel who brought it, it is her own image that appears before her. Had not a theologian of her own party said that she might be called an angel? Not that she had the nature of an angel, but she did the work of one.[2364]
[Footnote 2363: ”_Fleure bon et fleurera bon, pourvu qu'elle soit bien gardee._”]
[Footnote 2364: Lanery d'Arc, _Memoires et consultations_, p. 212. Le P. Ayroles, _La vraie Jeanne d'Arc_, vol. i, p. 346.]
She began to describe the angels who had come with her to the King: