Poems (Kennedy)/La Fayette, We Have Come
"LA FAYETTE, WE HAVE COME!"
(PERSHING AT LA FAYETTE'S TOMB)
AND they are there, O valiant France, Our bravest and our best,To hold their unstained shields before Your torn and bleeding breast.They went to you, as long ago You came, a bannered host,To help us guard the swinging gates Of our own Freedom-post.
And now the Hun is at your door In furious serried mass,They speed your splendid challenge on And cry: "You shall not pass!" They'll keep with you the trails of death Till foemen's guns are dumb;Their blood shall stain your lilied-sod— "La Fayette, they have come!"