THERE is a little church in France to-day Where once a simple maiden knelt, who now Wears God's insignia upon her brow -- First of all the saints to whom her people pray. Mail of the Lilies, warrior of the Sword, Jeanne d'Arc, True soldier in the service of the Lord, Shall you not hark? To-day the candles burn before your shrine, Your banner glows within the sacred space, But not alone, for with it, by God's grace, There does another of its color shine; Two and yet one -- a holy thing enshrined, Sainte Jeanne, Two banners at Domremy are entwined, Bless them as one. There is a little church in France to-day; How many prayers have risen thence to you! For their sake heed another prayer and new, Strange words yet beautiful your people say. Bend down between the lilies and the lance, Sainte Jeanne. "For those Americans who died for France," Light their souls on! There is a little church in France to-day; Your people kneel about the altar there. You who were warrior and woman, hear With hands of very love this prayer they pray; A simple prayer for those souls chivalrous Who dared the dark, "For those Americans who died for us," Jeanne d'Arc. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WINGED MAN by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET PHYLLIDA AND CORYDON by NICHOLAS BRETON TROUBLE IN DE KITCHEN by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR LESSER EPISTLES: TO A YOUNG LADY WITH SOME LAMPREYS by JOHN GAY A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 1. 1887 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN SONNET, WRITTEN IN JANUARY 1817 by JOHN KEATS FEELINGS OF A REPUBLICAN ON THE FALL OF BONAPARTE by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY |