Illustration by Joseph Lee from 'Work-a-day Warriors' by Joseph Lee, published in 1917
MARCELLE
"In your last book, 'Ballads of Battle,' I looked in vain for some tribute to Marcelle, and for the picture which you made of her sitting by the open window."—Letter to the Author from Soldier-Comrade.
Marcelle, who served the café noir, The vintage white and red, With lightsome step, with laughing eye, With proudly poised head!
Vin blanc, vin rouge; of red, of white, What need was there to speak? For they were out-vied by the red And lily of thy cheek!
Trench-worn and stained we sat around And quaffed vin ordinaire, And were rejuvenate, as if Hebé the cup did bear!
For us the ever-generous door, The ever-gracious smile, The attentive ear, the ready tear, The glance devoid of guile.
But not for us that pensive gaze, The sudden mist of tears, The broken sigh that spoke a tale Of lovers' hopes and fears!
Marcelle! when peace shall dawn at last Upon this night of pain, May thy bold chasseur, all unscathed, Come back to thee again!
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