Soldiers Passing
Along the planetree-dappled pearly street,
Full flooded with the gay Parisian light,
I watch the people gather, left and right,
Far off I hear the clarion shrilling sweet;
Nearer and nearer comes the tramp of feet;
And, while the soldiers still are out of sight,
Over the crowd the wave of one delight
Breaks, and transfigures all the dusty heat.
So have I seen the western Alps turn rose
When the reflection of the rising sun
Irradiates all their peaks and woods and snows.
Even so this various nation blends in one
As down the street the sacred banner goes,
And every Frenchman feels himself its son!
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