"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! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FETES GALANTES: PANYOMIME by PAUL VERLAINE EPITAPH: FOR A VIRGIN LADY by COUNTEE CULLEN STANZAS FOR MUSIC (4) by GEORGE GORDON BYRON CINQUAIN: MOON-SHADOWS by ADELAIDE CRAPSEY EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 17. THE DIFFICULT ADVENTURE by PHILIP AYRES |