Page:A treasury of war poetry, British and American poems of the world war, 1914-1919.djvu/351

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With vision falcon-keen,

His eyes beheld what others had not seen,

And his soul, with as clear a gaze,

Pierced through each clouded maze

Straight to the burning heart of things, and knew

The lying from the true.

A dweller in Immensity,

Of naught afraid,

He saw the havoc Tyranny had made,—

Saw the relentless tide of War's advance,

And high of heart and free,

Vowed his young life to Liberty—

And France!

O Compiègne! be proud of him—thy son,—

The greatest of the eagle brood,—

Who with intrepid soul the foe withstood,

And rests, his victories won!

Mourn not uncomforted, but rather say:—

His wings were broken, but he led the way

Where myriad stronger wings shall follow;

For Wrong shall not hold lasting sway,

To break the World's heart, nor betray

With cruel pledges hollow!

To us the battle draweth near.

We dedicate ourselves again,

Remembering, O Compiègne!

Thy Charioteer—

Thy peerless one, who died to make men free,

And in Man's grateful heart shall live immortally! Florence Earle Coates

OU who have seen across the star-decked skies

The long white arms of searchlights slowly sweep,

Have you imagined what it is to creep

High in the darkness, cold and terror-wise,