Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CAPTAIN GUYNEMER, by FLORENCE EARLE COATES First Line: What high adventure, in what world afar Last Line: And in man's grateful heart shall live immortally! Subject(s): Aviation & Aviators; Holidays; Veterans Day; World War I; Airplanes; Air Pilots; First World War | ||||||||
WHAT high adventure, in what world afar, Follows to-day, Mid ampler air, Heroic Guynemer? What star, Of all the myriad planets of our night, Is by his glowing presence made more bright Who chose the Dangerous way, Scorning, while brave men died, ignobly safe to stay? Into the unknown Vast, Where few could follow him, he passed, On to the gatethe shadowy gate Of the Forbidden, Seeking the knowledge jealous Fate Had still so carefully from mortals hidden. 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 himthy 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! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN A NARROW WINDOW by FLORENCE EARLE COATES |
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