Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CAPTAIN, by ARTHUR THOMAS QUILLER-COUCH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CAPTAIN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: There is a captain that commands
Last Line: That owls and satyrs desecrate.
Alternate Author Name(s): Q; Quiller-couch, A. T.
Subject(s): Leadership


THERE is a captain that commands,
And never but to victory:
'The counsel of thine heart it stands,
No man so faithful unto thee.'
Though seven senses watch the wall,
And all thy courage leap at call,
He is thine ark and arsenal,
Thine armour and artillery.

Yea, while the cloakèd sentries tramp
And challenge with a deep 'All's well!'
He lists the sappers from the camp
Encroaching on thy citadel;
Invisible he tries the guns,
And leaning o'er the bastions
Discerns the tented legions,
Earthwork and trench and parallel.

O man! in vain they creep and mine;
Thy ramp remains inviolate.
But if by folly or design
Thou force that friend to abdicate,
A broken pole, a trodden keep,
The standard of thy soul shall weep,
And all her trophies lie a heap
That owls and satyrs desecrate.





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