<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">To the Belgians</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">O <span class="smallcaps">race</span> that Cæsar knew,</p><p class="line">That won stern Roman praise,</p><p class="line">What land not envies you</p><p class="line">The laurel of these days?</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">You built your cities rich</p><p class="line">Around each towered hall, --</p><p class="line">Without, the statued niche,</p><p class="line">Within, the pictured wall.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Your ship-thronged wharves, your marts</p><p class="line">With gorgeous Venice vied.</p><p class="line">Peace and her famous arts</p><p class="line">Were yours: though tide on tide</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Of Europe's battle scourged</p><p class="line">Black field and reddened soil,</p><p class="line">From blood and smoke emerged</p><p class="line">Peace and her fruitful toil.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Yet when the challenge rang,</p><p class="line">"The War-Lord comes; give room!"</p><p class="line">Fearless to arms you sprang</p><p class="line">Against the odds of doom.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Like your own Damien</p><p class="line">Who sought that leper's isle</p><p class="line">To die a simple man</p><p class="line">For men with tranquil smile,</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">So strong in faith you dared</p><p class="line">Defy the giant, scorn</p><p class="line">Ignobly to be spared,</p><p class="line">Though trampled, spoiled, and torn,</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And in your faith arose</p><p class="line">And smote, and smote again,</p><p class="line">Till those astonished foes</p><p class="line">Reeled from their mounds of slain,</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The faith that the free soul,</p><p class="line">Untaught by force to quail,</p><p class="line">Through fire and dirge and dole</p><p class="line">Prevails and shall prevail.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Still for your frontier stands</p><p class="line">The host that knew no dread,</p><p class="line">Your little, stubborn land's</p><p class="line">Nameless, immortal dead.</p></div><p class="byline">Laurence Binyon</p></body></html> · Great War