English poem
The Smile of Reims
by Florence Earle Coates (1850–1927)
"The smile," they called her,—"La Sourire"; and fair— A sculptured angel on the northern door Of the Cathedral's west façade—she wore Through the long centuries of toil and care That smile, mysteriously wrought and rare, As if she saw brave visions evermore— Kings, and an armored Maid who lilies bore, And all the glories that had once been there.
How like to thee, her undefeated Land! Wounded by bursting shells, a little space Broken she lay beneath her ancient portal; But lifted from the earth with trembling hand, Victorious, still glowed upon her face Thy smile, heroic France, love-given and immortal!
Florence Earle Coates.