106 DISCOURSES OF FATHEE HYACINTHE. 



grand she is, even yet; so peaceful aiul so prosperous she 

 might be, if only left to her own true instincts! 



But if it is too late — great CtocI, if, in thy wisdom, 

 thou hast otherwise decided, then bring back to us, upon 

 tlie battle-field, that faith which on the battle-field we 

 first received; that faith of Tolbiac which made as 

 great, but which it is sought to rayish from us. Pour 

 out in war the blood of our young men, too precious to 

 dry up in sterility, or be corrupted in the pleasures of 

 an unworthy peace. Leap from the scabbard, thou 

 sword of the Lord and of France, gladius Domini et Ge- 

 deonis, and do thy work! Do it speedily, and do it to 

 the end ! 



And then, " thou sword of the Lord, put up thy- 

 self into thy scabbard : rest, and be still !"* 



* Jeremiah, xlvii. G. 



