To Belgium

By George Sterling

As Rome beat down the kingdoms, one by one
    With sword invincible, until her sway
    Held from the rise to set of Europe's day,
So to his war-adventure leapt the Hun,
And as the Roman wrought, so had he done,
    Were not thy sons as lions on his way.
    Granite he found thee, who had thought thee clay
O nation clothed as with the noonday sun!

O barrier to the tempest! Faithful wall
    That held the armored avalanche a space!
        O little dyke against so great a flood!
Thou sentry, whom no midnight could appall!
    Thou Christ of nations, giving to the race
        That respite purchased with thy holy blood!
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