-- His Own Words IN MEMORY OF KIFFIN ROCKWELL Eagle, whose fearless Flight in vast spaces Clove the inane, While we stood tearless, White with rapt faces In wonder and pain.... Heights could not awe you, Depths could not stay you. Anguished we saw you, Saw Death way-lay you Where the storm flings Black clouds to thicken Round France's defender! Archangel stricken From ramparts of splendor -- Shattered your wings!... But Lafayette called you, Rochambeau beckoned. Duty enthralled you. For France you had reckoned Her gift and your debt. Dull hearts could harden Half-gods could palter. For you never pardon If Liberty's altar You chanced to forget.... Stricken archangel! Ramparts of splendor Keep you, evangel Of souls who surrender No banner unfurled For ties ever living, Where Freedom has bound them. Praise and thanksgiving For love which has crowned them -- Love frees the world!... | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...Γενεθλιακον by JOSEPH BEAUMONT L'ALBUM D'UNE CANADIENNE by LEVI BISHOP HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 26 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH NAN'S SONG, FR. MIDSUMMER EVE by GORDON BOTTOMLEY HUNTER'S MOON by ELIZABETH BROWN (AMERICAN) THE STRANGE LADY by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT HELIOS HYPERIONIDES by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON THE WANDERER: 4. IN SWITZERLAND: THE HEART AND NATURE by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |