Maria White Lowell

Place de la Pucelle

HERE blooms the legend, fed by Time and Chance,
    Fresh as the morning, though with centuries old,
The whitest lily on the shield of France,
    With heart of virgin gold.

Along the square she moved, sweet Joan of Arc,
    With face more pallid than a daylit star,
Half seen, half doubted, while before her dark
    Stretched the array of war.

Swift passed the battle-smoke of lying breath
    From off her path, as if a wind had blown,
Showing no faithless king, but righteous Death,
    On the low wooden throne.

He would reward her: she who meekly wore
    Alike the gilded mail and peasant gown,
As meekly now received one honor more,
    The formless, fiery crown.

A white dove trembled up the heated air,
    And in the opening zenith found its goal;
Soft as a downward feather, dropped a prayer
    For each repentant soul.