OH, golden-lilied Queen—immortal France! <br /> Thou heritress of storied name and deed, <br /> As thou hast pluck’d, so oft, from cumb’ring weed <br />The fragrant flow’rs of Freedom and Romance, <br />So shalt thou seize to-day the fateful chance <br /> That comes to thee in this thy hour of need, <br /> When once again thy sacred frontiers bleed <br />Beneath the thrust of the Invader’s lance. <br /> <br />For, with the hour, hath also come again <br /> The pure and splendid spirit of the Maid <br /> To nerve they sons and wipe away thy tears, <br />Till, sanctified by Sorrow, purged by pain, <br /> Thou shalt arise, unfettered, unafraid, <br /> And walk in honour down the deathless years.<br /><br />Sydney Elliott Napier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/france-2/
