Explore "The Name of France (France and Belgium)" by Henry Van Dyke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Give us a name to fill the mind / With the shining thoughts that lead mankind, / The glory of learning, the joy of art, -- / A name that tells of a splendid part. / In long, long toil and the strenuous fight / Of the human race to win its way / From the feudal darkness into the day / Of Freedom, Brotherhood, Equal Right, -- / A name like a star, a name of light. / I give you _France_!
Give us a name to stir the blood / With a warmer glow and a swifter flood, / At the touch of a courage that knows not fear, -- / A name like the sound of a trumpet, clear. / And silver-sweet, and iron-strong, / That calls three million men to their feet, / Ready to march, and steady to meet / The foes who threaten that name with wrong, -- / A name that rings like a battle-song. / I give you _France_!