IN MEMORY OF KIFFIN ROCKWELL

By Edgar Lee Masters

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!...