Captain Guynemer

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Captain Guynemer by Florence Earle Coates Fugitive verse

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As rendered in A treasury of war poetry, ... 1914-1919 (1917):

Captain Georges Guynemer

Thy Charioteer—
Thy peerless one, who died
     to make men free...—FEC

CAPTAIN GUYNEMER 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 gate—the 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 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

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1923. The author died in 1927, so this work is also in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 80 years or less. This work may also be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.