THE GREAT ADVENTURE MAJOR KENDALL BANNING
Reading edition
Signal Reserve Corps, Aviation Section, U. S. Army
GOD, the Master Pilot, Or gods, if such there be— Pour me no weakling’s measure When ye pour the wine for me! Of pain, of love, of pleasure, I’ll drain the draught ye give; Of good and ill, give me the fill Of the life ye bade me live! Spare me no tithe of favor, With fortune pave my path, Nor hold the hand of vengeance When I deserve your wrath. Whatever fates ye send me, Whatever cast the sky, Grant me the grace to live a man And as a man to die! Upon the good I render Let shine your proudest sun: And rest me in the valleys When my last trick is done. For these your utmost portions, I’ll pay the utmost toll, So this my life, become the great Adventure of my soul!