In La Flèche, the duchess of Alençon
built a castle five centuries ago,
donated by Henri IV, her grandson,
so Jesuits could help all great minds know
God, math and languages. René Descartes
cogitated there. But pope’s foot soldiers
got the boot, replaced by combat stalwarts
training the young to kill, a school conjured
by Louis XV. No longer brainstays,
students answer to Brutions. That minute
corporal renamed the place Prytanée
Militaire, honoring those Greeks astute
in guiding ancient cities. Nappy swore
his idea came while swimming the Loir.
Roger Armbrust
February 11, 2008
