Explore "Jeanne D'Arc (Lyrics, Dramatic and Personal)" by Henry Van Dyke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The land was broken in despair, / The princes quarrelled in the dark, / When clear and tranquil, through the troubled air / Of selfish minds and wills that did not dare, / Your star arose, Jeanne d'Arc.
O virgin breast with lilies white, / O sun-burned hand that bore the lance, / You taught the prayer that helps men to unite, / You brought the courage equal to the fight, / You gave a heart to France!
Your king was crowned, your country free, / At Rheims you had your soul's desire: / And then, at Rouen, maid of Domremy, / The black-robed judges gave your victory / The martyr's crown of fire.
And now again the times are ill, / And doubtful leaders miss the mark; / The people lack the single faith and will / To make them one, -- your country needs you / still, -- / Come back again, Jeanne d'Arc!
O woman-star, arise once more / And shine to bid your land advance: / The old heroic trust in God restore, / Renew the brave, unselfish hopes of yore, / And give a heart to France!
Paris, July, 1909.