(IT IS A CURIOUS COLNCIDENCE THAT ATTILA AND THE KAISER WERE BOTH TURNED BACK AT THE MARNE) DOWN through dim centuries of shame, While worthier names live not, How faithful is the evil fame By Attila begot! How Aquileia flaunts his name, Though hers is nigh forgot! But now appears a shade malign Eclipsing the eclipse -- A name, of horror such a sign It grates upon the lips -- Whom History down her endless line Shall scourge with scorpion whips. Was it but chance Marne's slender stream Saw both these tyrants foiled -- That here the Hun's imperial dream Twice from the foe recoiled, As from a cliff the wave's extreme To which the tide has toiled? Did memory of Marne's renown Make of its name a shield When the new Attila swept down By hill and startled field And thought to summon Paris town Her keys of might to yield? Or -- as rapt witnesses averred -- Loomed there against the sky A host of heaven, as white as curd, That, leaning from on high, Gave strength against the swarming herd 'Neath God's impatient eye? River of Liberty, now to be New comrade of the Seine That bore Jeanne's ashes tenderly Down to the eager main: Marne, that henceforth shall add a plea To the "Marseillaise" refrain! Once more returns to these green banks The shifting line of hope; Once more the earth's relumined ranks With hosts of darkness cope; Once more to heaven go up the thanks And prayers of those who grope. God of Just Battles! knowing well Our purpose and Thy plan, Here, where beleaguered legions fell To save the world from clan, Oh, give us victory, lest Hell Unteach us love of Man. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SUNSET AND SUNRISE by EMILY DICKINSON SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: FIDDLER JONES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A SONG OF PROGRESS by ALEXANDER ANDERSON AN AEOLIAN HARP by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY MAIRE MY GIRL by JOHN KEEGAN CASEY THE BLACK RIDERS: 62 by STEPHEN CRANE |