<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Road to France</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Thank God, our liberating lance</p><p class="line">Goes flaming on the way to France!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">To France -- with every race and breed</p><p class="line">That hates Oppression's brutal creed!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">At last, thank God! At last, we see</p><p class="line">There is no tribal Liberty!</p><p class="line">No beacon lighting just our shores,</p><p class="line">No Freedom guarding but our doors.</p><p class="line">The flame she kindled for our sires</p><p class="line">Burns now in Europe's battle-fires.</p><p class="line">The soul that led our fathers west</p><p class="line">Turns back to free the world's opprest.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Allies, you have not called in vain;</p><p class="line">We share your conflict and your pain.</p><p class="line">"Old Glory" through new stains and rents,</p><p class="line">Partakes of Freedom's sacraments.</p><p class="line">Into that hell his will creates</p><p class="line">We drive the foe -- his lusts -- his hates.</p><p class="line">Last come, we will be last to stay,</p><p class="line">Till right has had her crowning day.</p><p class="line">Replenish, comrades, from our veins</p><p class="line">The blood, the sword of despot drains</p><p class="line">And make our eager sacrifice</p><p class="line">Part of the freely rendered price</p><p class="line">You pay to lift humanity --</p><p class="line">You pay to make our brothers free.</p><p class="line">See, with what proud hearts we advance</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:7%">To France!</p></div><p class="byline">-- Daniel M. Henderson.<br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/> National Arts Club's <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/> Prize War Poem. </p></body></html> · Great War