May 9, 1429
Dunois, La Hire, the Duke of Alençon,
and I trek ninety miles south
to meet with the dauphin.
When we arrive,
Charles is closeted in his private quarters
with his confessor and advisers
like he fears the sun.
I vanquish custom and courtesy
and do not wait for the dauphin
to allow me entrance into his chambers,
but fall to my knees and beseech him
to come as quickly as he can
to receive a worthy coronation.
I explain to Charles
and his entourage
that yesterday I was told
by the King of Heaven,
daughter of God, go, go, go,
and I will be your aid.
I clutch Charles’s hand
and humbly request of him
money to rebuild his army,
as the battles at Orléans
depleted both supplies and soldiers.
Both God and the people
stand behind me now
and rejoice in the knowledge
that the dauphin
has beaten his enemies.
I beg of Charles
on bended knee
that he allow me to take him
to the city of Reims
to be crowned.