<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Soul of Jeanne d'Arc</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">She came not into the Presence as a martyred saint might come,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Crowned, white-robed and adoring, with very reverence dumb, --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">She stood as a straight young soldier, confident, gallant, strong,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Who asks a boon of his captain in the sudden hush of the drum.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">She said: "Now have I stayed too long in this my place of bliss,</p><p class="line">With these glad dead that, comforted, forget what sorrow is</p><p class="line">Upon that world whose stony stairs they climbed to come to this.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"But lo, a cry hath torn the peace wherein so long I stayed,</p><p class="line">Like a trumpet's call at Heaven's wall from a herald unafraid, --</p><p class="line">A million voices in one cry, <em>'Where is the Maid, the Maid?'</em></p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"I had forgot from too much joy that olden task of mine,</p><p class="line">But I have heard a certain word shatter the chant divine,</p><p class="line">Have watched a banner glow and grow before mine eyes for sign.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"I would return to that my land flung in the teeth of war,</p><p class="line">I would cast down my robe and crown that pleasure me no more,</p><p class="line">And don the armor that I knew, the valiant sword I bore.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"And angels militant shall fling the gates of Heaven wide,</p><p class="line">And souls new-dead whose lives were shed like leaves on war's red tide</p><p class="line">Shall cross their swords above our heads and cheer us as we ride.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"For with me goes that soldier saint, Saint Michael of the sword,</p><p class="line">And I shall ride on his right side, a page beside his lord,</p><p class="line">And men shall follow like swift blades to reap a sure reward.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Grant that I answer this my call, yea, though the end may be</p><p class="line">The naked shame, the biting flame, the last, long agony;</p><p class="line">I would go singing down that road where fagots wait for me.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Mine be the fire about my feet, the smoke above my head;</p><p class="line">So might I glow, a torch to show the path my heroes tread;</p><p class="line"><em>My Captain! Oh, my Captain, let me go back!"</em> she said.</p></div><p class="byline">Theodosia Garrison</p></body></html> · Great War