<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Nineteen-Seventeen</h1><p class="byline"> SUSAN HOOKER WHITMAN <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">IN The Kansas City Stag</span></p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"IT" is long since knighthood was in flower,</p><p class="line">There are no men today who tower</p><p class="line">Above their kind--the knights are dust, </p><p class="line">Their names forgot, their good swords rust,'' </p><p class="line">We idly say. And yet, in truth--</p><p class="line">The brave soul has eternal youth, </p><p class="line">Like the great lighthouse rising free, </p><p class="line">Whose far-flung beams guide ships at sea,</p><p class="line">God lifts above his fellow man </p><p class="line">A steadfast soul to dare and plan, </p><p class="line">A king of men, by right divine, </p><p class="line">Who in his forehead hears the sign--</p><p class="line">He walks along the city street; </p><p class="line">Unknowing, in the fields we meet </p><p class="line">A modern knight in whose hand lies </p><p class="line">A mighty Nation's destinies.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then say no more, the knights' are gone; </p><p class="line">Honor and Truth and Right live on, </p><p class="line">And men today would keep the bridge </p><p class="line">Horatius kept--from rocky ridge </p><p class="line">Heroic Youth would still fling down </p><p class="line">His horse, himself, to save the town. </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:8%">Columbia calls! </p><p class="line">Off with your hats and lift them high,</p><p class="line">Our own, our sons are passing by.</p></div></body></html> · Great War