I Pay My Debt For Lafayette And Rochambeau

- 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! ...