ANDRÈ CHENIER.
Andrè Chenier, a young French poet of great promise, died
by the guillotine July 27th, 1794. On his way to the scaffold he
struck his forehead and said, “To die so very soon, and all this
here too!”
Axe and headsman, all things ready,
While, with quiet step and steady,
Wearing front which no fear showeth,
Onward to his death he goeth;
Once there faltered from his tongue
One word,—“Ah, to die so young!”
Once he smote his forehead fair,
Sighing, “Ah, what things were here!”
But about him bright ones winging,
Sang more sweetly than his singing,—
“Whom the gods love well die early,
Thou hast earned thy quittance dearly;
All too fine and free for mortals,
Lift thy lay to heaven's portals.
Die! those golden dreams were given
All to bring thee back to heaven;
Home! where angels wait to hear thee!
Home! where one swift stroke shall bear thee!
