13. Kinsey Keene
A couple of poems ago, Harry Carey Goodhue looked nothing but pathetic for declaring his various fights with bank and court-house, leading citizens and business men. So, what to make of Kinsey Keene, who, without specifying any particular battle - apart from one in which he did not participate - claims a legendary slogan for his stone? And does it matter that the words were likely never spoken? Certainly they were not spoken as dying words, or even words uttered just prior to battle? Does it matter that Cambronne was not even with the Guard when it died, already having been taken prisoner by Colonel Hugh Halkett? That, in fact, Cambronne died in England as a prisoner of war? (cf. ‘ Cambronne’s Words ’) Whatever words were or were not spoken, and we can’t really expect Edgar Lee Masters to do anything but accept the legend, the sentiment is obvious - Keene would have us believe that whatever struggles he engaged in are to be likened to the glorious defeat of the Guard ...