Poems (Kennedy)/La Fayette, We Have Come

by Sara Beaumont Kennedy

"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!"