Rudyard Kipling

France at War Rudyard Kipling

Broke to every known mischance, lifted over all By the light sane joy of life, the buckler of the Gaul, Furious in luxury, merciless in toil, Terrible with strength that draws from her tireless soil, Strictest judge of her own worth, gentlest of men's mind, First to follow truth and last to leave old truths behind- France beloved of every soul that loves its fellow-kind. Ere our birth (rememberest thou?) side by side we layFretting in the womb of Rome to begin the fray. Ere men knew our tongues apart, our one taste was known-