Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SMILE OF REIMS, by FLORENCE EARLE COATES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SMILE OF REIMS, by                    
First Line: The smile' they called her, - 'la sourire'; and fair
Last Line: Thy smile, heroic france, love-given and immortal!
Subject(s): France; Smiles


"The smile," they called her, -- "La Sourire"; and fair --
A sculptured angel on the northern door
Of the Cathedral's west facade -- she wore
Through the long centuries of toil and care
That smile, mysteriously wrought and rare,
As if she saw brave visions evermore --
Kings, and an armored Maid who lilies bore,
And all the glories that had once been there.

How like to thee, her undefeated Land!
Wounded by bursting shells, a little space
Broken she lay beneath her ancient portal;
But lifted from the earth with trembling hand,
Victorious, still glowed upon her face
Thy smile, heroic France, love-given and immortal!





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