<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Place de la Concorde</h1><h1 align="center" class="head"><span class="smallcaps">August</span> 14, 1914</h1><p class="inline-note" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> [Since the bombardment of Strasburg, August 14, 1870, her statue in Paris, representing Alsace, has been draped in mourning by the French people.] </p><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Near</span> where the royal victims fell</p><p class="line">In days gone by, caught in the swell</p><p class="line">Of a ruthless tide</p><p class="line">Of human passion, deep and wide:</p><p class="line">There where we two</p><p class="line">A Nation's later sorrow knew --</p><p class="line">To-day, O friend! I stood</p><p class="line">Amid a self-ruled multitude</p><p class="line">That by nor sound nor word</p><p class="line">Betrayed how mightily its heart was stirred.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">A memory Time never could efface --</p><p class="line">A memory of Grief --</p><p class="line">Like a great Silence brooded o'er the place;</p><p class="line">And men breathed hard, as seeking for relief</p><p class="line">From an emotion strong</p><p class="line">That would not cry, though held in check too long.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">One felt that joy drew near --</p><p class="line">A joy intense that seemed itself to fear --</p><p class="line">Brightening in eyes that had been dull,</p><p class="line">As all with feeling gazed</p><p class="line">Upon the Strasburg figure, raised</p><p class="line">Above us -- mourning, beautiful!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then one stood at the statue's base, and spoke --</p><p class="line">Men needed not to ask what word;</p><p class="line">Each in his breast the message heard,</p><p class="line">Writ for him by Despair,</p><p class="line">That evermore in moving phrase</p><p class="line">Breathes from the Invalides and Père Lachaise --</p><p class="line">Vainly it seemed, alas!</p><p class="line">But now, France looking on the image there,</p><p class="line">Hope gave her back the lost Alsace.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">A deeper hush fell on the crowd:</p><p class="line">A sound -- the lightest -- seemed too loud</p><p class="line">(Would, friend, you had been there!)</p><p class="line">As to that form the speaker rose,</p><p class="line">Took from her, fold on fold,</p><p class="line">The mournful crape, gray-worn and old,</p><p class="line">Her, proudly, to disclose,</p><p class="line">And with the touch of tender care</p><p class="line">That fond emotion speaks,</p><p class="line">'Mid tears that none could quite command,</p><p class="line">Placed the Tricolor in her hand,</p><p class="line">And kissed her on both cheeks!</p></div><p class="byline">Florence Earle Coates</p></body></html> · Great War