Jeanne d’Arc

JEANNE D'ARC. EY ALFRED AUSTIN, POET LAUREATE OP ENGLAND. Goddess of battles, with the maiden sword And blameless banner, when to France availed Not all her gallant manhood, helmed and mailed To drive from off her soil the alien horde That over pasture, hamlet, vineyard poured. You with your unarmed innocency scaled The walls of war, and, where man's might had failed. Crowning, enthroned the Anointed of the Lord. And should France yet again be called to scare The stranger from her gates, and hurl back thence Feet that would violate her frontiers fair. Not meretricious sycophant of sense. But the pure heart and patriotic prayer, Once more would prove her rescue and defense. AsLford, Kent, England. —From the Independent.