Oriflamme - The Oriflamme in Literature

"Dark-minded man!"

The Maid of Orleans answered, "to act well

Brings with itself an ample recompense.

I have not reared the oriflamme of death —

Now God forbid! The banner of the Lord

Is this; and, come what will, me it behooves,

Mindful of Him whose minister I am,

To spare the fallen foe: that gracious God

Sends me a messenger of mercy forth,

Sends me to save this ravaged realm of France,

To England friendly as to all the world;

Only to those an enemy, whose lust

Of sway makes them the enemies of man."

—Robert Southey Joan of Arc. Book VIII '