SPEAK

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Obscured the sun, the world is dark;

Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc,

Send down thy spark.

Let every heart in France be stirred,

By such an all-compelling word

As thou once heard.

Say to each soul,‘ Lo! I am near;

My voice still speaks in accents clear.

Be still and hear.

‘ The France I saved can not be lost;

Though tempest-torn and terror-tossed,

Count not the cost.

‘ Give as the maid of Domremy

Gave all — gave life itself to see

Her country free.

‘ Back of great France my spirit towers

To aid her through the darkest hours

With God's own powers!’

Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc,

Shine through the night, speak through the dark

The while we hark.