<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Jimmy Doane</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Often</span> I think of you, Jimmy Doane,</p><p class="line">You who, lightheartedly, came to my house</p><p class="line">Three autumns, to shoot and to eat a grouse!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">As I sat apart in this quiet room,</p><p class="line">My mind was full of the horror of war</p><p class="line">And not with the hope of a visitor.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">I had dined on food that had lost its taste;</p><p class="line">My soul was cold and I wished you were here, --</p><p class="line">When, all in a moment, I knew you were near.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Placing that chair where you used to sit,</p><p class="line">I looked at my book: -- Three years to-day</p><p class="line">Since you laughed in that seat and I heard you say --</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"My country is with you, whatever befall:</p><p class="line">America -- Britain -- these two are akin</p><p class="line">In courage and honour; they underpin</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"The rights of Mankind!" Then you grasped my hand</p><p class="line">With a brotherly grip, and you made me feel</p><p class="line">Something that Time would surely reveal.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">You were comely and tall; you had corded arms,</p><p class="line">And sympathy's grace with your strength was blent;</p><p class="line">You were generous, clever, and confident.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">There was that in your hopes which uncountable lives</p><p class="line">Have perished to make; your heart was fulfilled</p><p class="line">With the breath of God that can never be stilled.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">A living symbol of power, you talked</p><p class="line">Of the work to do in the world to make</p><p class="line">Life beautiful: yes, and my heartstrings ache</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">To think how you, at the stroke of War,</p><p class="line">Chose that your steadfast soul should fly</p><p class="line">With the eagles of France as their proud ally.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">You were America's self, dear lad --</p><p class="line">The first swift son of your bright, free land</p><p class="line">To heed the call of the Inner Command --</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">To image its spirit in such rare deeds</p><p class="line">As braced the valour of France, who knows</p><p class="line">That the heart of America thrills with her woes.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">For a little leaven leavens the whole!</p><p class="line">Mostly we find, when we trouble to seek</p><p class="line">The soul of a people, that some unique,</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Brave man is its flower and symbol, who</p><p class="line">Makes bold to utter the words that choke</p><p class="line">The throats of feebler, timider folk.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">You flew for the western eagle -- and fell</p><p class="line">Doing great things for your country's pride:</p><p class="line">For the beauty and peace of life you died.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Britain and France have shrined in their souls</p><p class="line">Your memory; yes, and for ever you share</p><p class="line">Their love with their perished lords of the air.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Invisible now, in that empty seat,</p><p class="line">You sit, who came through the clouds to me,</p><p class="line">Swift as a message from over the sea.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">My house is always open to you:</p><p class="line">Dear spirit, come often and you will find</p><p class="line">Welcome, where mind can foregather with mind!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">And may we sit together one day</p><p class="line">Quietly here, when a word is said</p><p class="line">To bring new gladness unto our dead,</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Knowing your dream is a dream no more;</p><p class="line">And seeing on some momentous pact</p><p class="line">Your vision upbuilt as a deathless fact.</p></div><p class="byline">Rowland Thirlmere</p></body></html> · Great War