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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A WISH FOR NEW FRANCE (FRAGMENT) by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON

First Line: FOR HER NO BACKWARD LOOK
Last Line: O MEMORY, WALK A WARNING SPECTER AT HER SIDE!

FOR her no backward look
Into the bloody book
Of kings. Thrice-rescued land!
Her haunted graves bespeak
A nobler fate: to seek
In service of the world again the world's command.

She, in whose skies of peace
Arise new auguries
To strengthen, cheer, and guide --
When nations in a horde
Draw the unhallowed sword,
O Memory, walk a warning specter at her side!



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