Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE FAREWELL OF THE OLD GUARD AT FONTAINEBLEAU, 1814, by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD Poet's Biography First Line: Stately court of fontainebleau Last Line: Falls no more on fontainebleau. Subject(s): Faces; Farewell; Silence; Tears; Parting | ||||||||
Stately court of Fontainebleau, Nine and ninety years ago On thy spacious esplanade, Ranged in formal dress parade, Stood the Emperor's grenadiers With their bronzed cheeks wet with tears, Waiting once again to show Love for him at Fontainebleau. Noon had struck above the square, When adown the Horse Shoe stair In his well-known coat of gray, Worn on many a hard-fought day, Came the man adored by all As their "Little Corporal," Forced by Europe now to go Far from royal Fontainebleau. In the ranks a sudden stir Swelled to shouts of Vive l'Empereur; Then deep silence reigned, save where On the peaceful summer air Choking sobs, but half suppressed, Came from many a faithful breast At the overwhelming blow Dealt them here at Fontainebleau. Could the rumor, then, be true? Would he say to them adieu? Would their idol and their pride, He whom they had deified, Leave his royal grenadiers, Veteran troops of twenty years? Hark! he speaks in accents low to his Guard at Fontainebleau: -- "Comrades, brothers, we must part"; (How his lov'd tones thrilled each heart!) "It were wrong to you and France, Did I once more say 'Advance'; On the ruins of my State I at last must abdicate, And with you no more can know Happy days at Fontainebleau. "Valiant soldiers of my Guard, Thus to part is doubly hard; Did you silence Prussian guns, March beneath Italian suns, Enter Moscow and Madrid, Fight beside the Pyramid, And survive grim Russia's snow, -- Thus to yield at Fontainebleau? "Heroes of great wars, farewell! You have heard my empire's knell, Yet no hostile world's decree Can estrange your hearts from me; Exiled to a tiny isle, Through your tears you well may smile At the realm my foes bestow, -- Elba . . . after Fontainebleau! "Now of all who once were true I can count alone on you; Would that each might take the place Of the eagle I embrace! Let the tears which on it fall Move the souls of one and all! Never have I loved you so As to-day at Fontainebleau." Hushed his voice; a moment more, At the passing carriage door Gleamed Napoleon's mournful eyes, -- Smouldering flames of sacrifice; Then his pallid, classic face Vanished ghostlike into space, And a dreary sense of woe Settled over Fontainebleau. Dead are now those grenadiers; Quelled are Europe's anxious fears; By the Seine the Emperor sleeps; France her watch beside him keeps; But the lonely Horse Shoe stair Still preserves its sombre air, For the light of long ago Falls no more on Fontainebleau. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN STUDY #2 FOR B.B.L. by JUNE JORDAN WATCHING THE NEEDLEBOATS AT SAN SABBA by JAMES JOYCE SESTINA: TRAVEL NOTES by WELDON KEES A MAY MONODY by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD |
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