Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AFTER THE WAR, by FRANCOIS COPPEE First Line: Spruce officer! Upon my word Last Line: And let us shout hurrah for france. | ||||||||
SPRUCE officer! upon my word, With air and elegance complete You carry your steel-hilted sword; But -- I muse on our late defeat. Your regimentals have a set Quite perfect, and no little cost; You're altogether charming, yet Upon the battlefield we lost. In your black eyes with pencilled brows We see the fire of valour waken; Your dainty gloves the world allows, But--our two provinces are taken. All youths are proud of trappings gay, And you like others were created; Yet mark--'twas only yesterday Our fatherland was mutilated. Do you, young subaltern, I ask, Finger on brow and lamp alight, Make book and maps your worthy task, And study far into the night? Say, do your men their duty learn From you? Are they your friends and care? Fain would I think it so, and turn From doubts, which drive me to despair. Beats a true heart beneath your lace, Intent on our deliverance? Your hand, young man! if such the case, And let us shout hurrah for France. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN THE STREET by FRANCOIS COPPEE PROMENADES AND INTERIORS, SELECTION by FRANCOIS COPPEE THE HOROSCOPE by FRANCOIS COPPEE THE OLD SHOE by FRANCOIS COPPEE THE RUINED HEART by FRANCOIS COPPEE THE STRIKE OF THE SMITHS by FRANCOIS COPPEE |
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