第1章

PoemsbyWilfredOwenWithanIntroductionbySiegfriedSassoonIntroductionInwritinganIntroductionsuchasthisitisgoodtobebrief。 Thepoemsprintedinthisbookneednopreliminarycommendationsfrommeoranyoneelse。TheauthorhasleftushisownfragmentarybutimpressiveForeword；this，andhisPoems，canspeakforhim，backedbytheauthorityofhisexperienceasaninfantrysoldier，andsustainedbynobilityandoriginalityofstyle。AllthatwasstrongestinWilfredOwensurvivesinhispoems；anysuperficialimpressionsofhispersonality，anyrecordsofhisconversation，behaviour，orappearance，wouldbeirrelevantandunseemly。Thecuriositywhichdemandssuchmorselswouldbeincapableofappreciatingtherichnessofhiswork。 Thediscussionofhisexperimentsinassonanceanddissonance（ofwhich~StrangeMeeting~isthefinestexample）maybelefttotheprofessionalcriticsofverse，themajorityofwhomwillbemorepreoccupiedwithsuchtechnicaldetailsthanwiththeprofoundhumanityoftheself—revelationmanifestedinsuchmagnificentlinesasthoseattheendofhis~ApologiaproPoemateMeo~，andinthatotherpoemwhichhenamed~GreaterLove~。 TheimportanceofhiscontributiontotheliteratureoftheWarcannotbedecidedbythosewho，likemyself，bothadmiredhimasapoetandvaluedhimasafriend。HisconclusionsaboutWararesoentirelyinaccordancewithmyownthatIcannotattempttojudgehisworkwithanycriticaldetachment。Icanonlyaffirmthathewasamanofabsoluteintegrityofmind。Heneverwrotehispoems（assomanywar—poetsdid）tomaketheeffectofapersonalgesture。 Hepitiedothers；hedidnotpityhimself。Inthelastyearofhislifeheattainedaclearvisionofwhatheneededtosay，andthesepoemssurvivehimashistrueandsplendidtestament。 WilfredOwenwasbornatOswestryon18thMarch1893。HewaseducatedattheBirkenheadInstitute，andmatriculatedatLondonUniversityin1910。 In1913heobtainedaprivatetutorshipnearBordeaux，whereheremaineduntil1915。DuringthisperiodhebecameacquaintedwiththeeminentFrenchpoet，LaurentTailhade，towhomheshowedhisearlyverses，andfromwhomhereceivedconsiderableencouragement。 In1915，inspiteofdelicatehealth，hejoinedtheArtists’RiflesO。T。C。，wasgazettedtotheManchesterRegiment，andservedwiththeir2ndBattalioninFrancefromDecember1916toJune1917，whenhewasinvalidedhome。 FourteenmonthslaterhereturnedtotheWesternFrontandservedwiththesameBattalion，ultimatelycommandingaCompany。 HewasawardedtheMilitaryCrossforgallantrywhiletakingpartinsomeheavyfightingon1stOctober。Hewaskilledon4thNovember1918，whileendeavouringtogethismenacrosstheSambreCanal。 Amonthbeforehisdeathhewrotetohismother：\"Mynervesareinperfectorder。Icameoutagaininordertohelptheseboys； directly，byleadingthemaswellasanofficercan； indirectly，bywatchingtheirsufferingsthatImayspeakofthemaswellasapleadercan。\"Lethisownwordsbehisepitaph：—— ~\"Couragewasmine，andIhadmystery； Wisdomwasmine，andIhadmastery。\"~ SiegfriedSassoon。 POEMS PrefaceThisbookisnotaboutheroes。EnglishPoetryisnotyetfittospeakofthem。Norisitaboutdeedsorlands，noranythingaboutglory，honour，dominionorpower，exceptWar。 Aboveall，thisbookisnotconcernedwithPoetry。 ThesubjectofitisWar，andthepityofWar。 ThePoetryisinthepity。 Yettheseelegiesarenottothisgeneration，Thisisinnosenseconsolatory。 Theymaybetothenext。 Allthepoetcandoto—dayistowarn。 ThatiswhythetruePoetsmustbetruthful。 IfIthoughttheletterofthisbookwouldlast，Imighthaveusedpropernames；butifthespiritofitsurvivesPrussia，—— myambitionandthosenameswillbecontent；fortheywillhaveachievedthemselvesfresherfieldsthanFlanders。 Note。——ThisPrefacewasfound，inanunfinishedcondition，amongWilfredOwen’spapers。 ContentsPrefaceStrangeMeetingGreaterLoveApologiaproPoemateMeoTheShowMentalCasesParableoftheOldMenandtheYoungArmsandtheBoyAnthemforDoomedYouthTheSend—offInsensibilityDulceetDecorumestTheSentryTheDead—BeatExposureSpringOffensiveTheChancesS。I。W。 FutilitySmile，Smile，SmileConsciousATerreWildwithallRegretsDisabledTheEnd StrangeMeetingItseemedthatoutofthebattleIescapedDownsomeprofounddulltunnel，longsincescoopedThroughgraniteswhichTitanicwarshadgroined。 Yetalsothereencumberedsleepersgroaned，Toofastinthoughtordeathtobebestirred。 Then，asIprobedthem，onesprangup，andstaredWithpiteousrecognitioninfixedeyes，Liftingdistressfulhandsasiftobless。 Andbyhissmile，Iknewthatsullenhall； Withathousandfearsthatvision’sfacewasgrained； Yetnobloodreachedtherefromtheupperground，Andnogunsthumped，ordownthefluesmademoan。 \"Strange，friend，\"Isaid，\"Hereisnocausetomourn。\" \"None，\"saidtheother，\"Savetheundoneyears，Thehopelessness。Whateverhopeisyours，Wasmylifealso；IwenthuntingwildAfterthewildestbeautyintheworld，Whichliesnotcalmineyes，orbraidedhair，Butmocksthesteadyrunningofthehour，Andifitgrieves，grievesrichlierthanhere。 Forbymygleemightmanymenhavelaughed，Andofmyweepingsomethinghasbeenleft，Whichmustdienow。Imeanthetruthuntold，Thepityofwar，thepitywardistilled。 Nowmenwillgocontentwithwhatwespoiled。 Or，discontent，boilbloody，andbespilled。 Theywillbeswiftwithswiftnessofthetigress，Nonewillbreakranks，thoughnationstrekfromprogress。 Couragewasmine，andIhadmystery； Wisdomwasmine，andIhadmastery； TomissthemarchofthisretreatingworldIntovaincitadelsthatarenotwalled。 Then，whenmuchbloodhadcloggedtheirchariot—wheelsIwouldgoupandwashthemfromsweetwells，Evenwithtruthsthatlietoodeepfortaint。 IwouldhavepouredmyspiritwithoutstintButnotthroughwounds；notonthecessofwar。 Foreheadsofmenhavebledwherenowoundswere。 Iamtheenemyyoukilled，myfriend。 Iknewyouinthisdark；forsoyoufrownedYesterdaythroughmeasyoujabbedandkilled。 Iparried；butmyhandswereloathandcold。 Letussleepnow……\" （Thispoemwasfoundamongtheauthor’spapers。 Itendsonthisstrangenote。） ~AnotherVersion~ Earth’swheelsrunoiledwithblood。Forgetwethat。 Letusliedownanddigourselvesinthought。 Beautyisyoursandyouhavemastery，Wisdomismine，andIhavemystery。 Wetwowillstaybehindandkeepourtroth。 Letusforegomen’smindsthatarebrute’snatures，Letusnotsupthebloodwhichsomesaynurtures，Bewenotswiftwithswiftnessofthetigress。 Letusbreakranksfromthosewhotrekfromprogress。 MisswethemarchofthisretreatingworldIntooldcitadelsthatarenotwalled。 Letuslieoutandholdtheopentruth。 ThenwhentheirbloodhathcloggedthechariotwheelsWewillgoupandwashthemfromdeepwells。 WhatthoughwesinkfrommenaspitchersfallingManyshallraiseusuptobetheirfillingEvenfromwellswesunktoodeepforwarAndfilledbybrowsthatbledwherenowoundswere。 ~Alternativeline——~ EvenasOnewhobledwherenowoundswere。 GreaterLoveRedlipsarenotsoredAsthestainedstoneskissedbytheEnglishdead。 KindnessofwooedandwooerSeemsshametotheirlovepure。 OLove，youreyesloselureWhenIbeholdeyesblindedinmystead！ YourslenderattitudeTremblesnotexquisitelikelimbsknife—skewed，RollingandrollingthereWhereGodseemsnottocare； TillthefierceLovetheybearCrampsthemindeath’sextremedecrepitude。 Yourvoicesingsnotsosoft，—— Thoughevenaswindmurmuringthroughrafteredloft，—— Yourdearvoiceisnotdear，Gentle，andeveningclear，AstheirswhomnonenowhearNowearthhasstoppedtheirpiteousmouthsthatcoughed。 Heart，youwereneverhot，Norlarge，norfulllikeheartsmadegreatwithshot； Andthoughyourhandbepale，PalerareallwhichtrailYourcrossthroughflameandhail： Weep，youmayweep，foryoumaytouchthemnot。 ApologiaproPoemateMeoI，too，sawGodthroughmud—— Themudthatcrackedoncheekswhenwretchessmiled。 Warbroughtmoreglorytotheireyesthanblood，Andgavetheirlaughsmoregleethanshakesachild。 Merryitwastolaughthere—— Wheredeathbecomesabsurdandlifeabsurder。 ForpowerwasonusasweslashedbonesbareNottofeelsicknessorremorseofmurder。 I，too，havedroppedofffear—— Behindthebarrage，deadasmyplatoon，Andsailedmyspiritsurging，lightandclearPasttheentanglementwherehopeslaystrewn； Andwitnessedexultation—— Facesthatusedtocurseme，scowlforscowl，Shineandliftupwithpassionofoblation，Seraphicforanhour；thoughtheywerefoul。 Ihavemadefellowships—— Untoldofhappyloversinoldsong。 ForloveisnotthebindingoffairlipsWiththesoftsilkofeyesthatlookandlong，ByJoy，whoseribbonslips，—— Butwoundwithwar’shardwirewhosestakesarestrong； Boundwiththebandageofthearmthatdrips； Knitintheweldingoftherifle—thong。 IhaveperceivedmuchbeautyInthehoarseoathsthatkeptourcouragestraight； Heardmusicinthesilentnessofduty； Foundpeacewhereshell—stormsspoutedreddestspate。 Nevertheless，exceptyoushareWiththeminhellthesorrowfuldarkofhell，Whoseworldisbutthetremblingofaflare，Andheavenbutasthehighwayforashell，Youshallnotheartheirmirth： YoushallnotcometothinkthemwellcontentByanyjestofmine。ThesemenareworthYourtears：Youarenotworththeirmerriment。 ~November~1917。 TheShowMysoullookeddownfromavagueheightwithDeath，AsunrememberinghowIroseorwhy，Andsawasadland，weakwithsweatsofdearth，Gray，crateredlikethemoonwithhollowwoe，Andfittedwithgreatpocksandscabsofplaques。 Acrossitsbeard，thathorrorofharshwire，Theremovedthincaterpillars，slowlyuncoiled。 ItseemedtheypushedthemselvestobeasplugsOfditches，wheretheywrithedandshrivelled，killed。 BythemhadslimypathsbeentrailedandscrapedRoundmyriadwartsthatmightbelittlehills。 Fromgloom’slastdregstheselong—strungcreaturescrept，Andvanishedoutofdawndownhiddenholes。 （AndsmellcameupfromthosefoulopeningsAsoutofmouths，ordeepwoundsdeepening。） Onditheringfeetupgathered，moreandmore，Brownstringstowardsstringsofgray，withbristlingspines，Allmigrantsfromgreenfields，intentonmire。 Thosethatweregray，ofmoreabundantspawns，Rampedontherestandatethemandwereeaten。 Isawtheirbittenbackscurve，loop，andstraighten，Iwatchedthoseagoniescurl，lift，andflatten。 Whereat，interrorwhatthatsightmightmean，Ireeledandshiveredearthwardlikeafeather。 AndDeathfellwithme，likeadeepeningmoan。 AndHe，pickingamannerofworm，whichhalfhadhidItsbruisesintheearth，butcrawlednofurther，Showedmeitsfeet，thefeetofmanymen，Andthefresh—severedheadofit，myhead。 MentalCasesWhoarethese？Whysittheyhereintwilight？ Whereforerockthey，purgatorialshadows，Droopingtonguesfromjawsthatslobtheirrelish，Baringteeththatleerlikeskulls’tongueswicked？ Strokeonstrokeofpain，——butwhatslowpanic，Gougedthesechasmsroundtheirfrettedsockets？ EverfromtheirhairandthroughtheirhandpalmsMiseryswelters。SurelywehaveperishedSleeping，andwalkhell；butwhothesehellish？ ——ThesearemenwhosemindstheDeadhaveravished。 Memoryfingersintheirhairofmurders，Multitudinousmurderstheyoncewitnessed。 Wadingsloughsoffleshthesehelplesswander，Treadingbloodfromlungsthathadlovedlaughter。 Alwaystheymustseethesethingsandhearthem，Batterofgunsandshatterofflyingmuscles，CarnageincomparableandhumansquanderRuckedtoothickforthesemen’sextrication。 ThereforestilltheireyeballsshrinktormentedBackintotheirbrains，becauseontheirsenseSunlightseemsabloodsmear；nightcomesblood—black； Dawnbreaksopenlikeawoundthatbleedsafresh——Thustheirheadswearthishilarious，hideous，Awfulfalsenessofset—smilingcorpses。 ——Thustheirhandsarepluckingateachother； Pickingattherope—knoutsoftheirscourging； Snatchingafteruswhosmotethem，brother，Pawinguswhodealtthemwarandmadness。 ParableoftheOldMenandtheYoungSoAbramrose，andclavethewood，andwent，Andtookthefirewithhim，andaknife。 Andastheysojournedbothofthemtogether，Isaacthefirst—bornspakeandsaid，MyFather，Beholdthepreparations，fireandiron，Butwherethelambforthisburnt—offering？ ThenAbramboundtheyouthwithbeltsandstraps，Andbuildedparapetsandtrenchesthere，Andstretch\\edforththeknifetoslayhisson。 Whenlo！anangelcalledhimoutofheaven，Saying，Laynotthyhanduponthelad，Neitherdoanythingtohim。Behold，Aramcaughtinathicketbyitshorns； OffertheRamofPrideinsteadofhim。 Buttheoldmanwouldnotso，butslewhisson…… ArmsandtheBoyLettheboytryalongthisbayonet—bladeHowcoldsteelis，andkeenwithhungerofblood； Bluewithallmalice，likeamadman’sflash； Andthinlydrawnwithfamishingforflesh。 Lendhimtostroketheseblind，bluntbullet—headsWhichlongtomuzzleintheheartsoflads。 Orgivehimcartridgesoffinezincteeth，Sharpwiththesharpnessofgriefanddeath。 Forhisteethseemforlaughingroundanapple。 Therelurknoclawsbehindhisfingerssupple； AndGodwillgrownotalonsathisheels，Norantlersthroughthethicknessofhiscurls。 AnthemforDoomedYouthWhatpassing—bellsforthesewhodieascattle？ Onlythemonstrousangeroftheguns。 Onlythestutteringrifles’rapidrattleCanpatterouttheirhastyorisons。 Nomockeriesforthem；noprayersnorbells，Noranyvoiceofmourningsavethechoirs，—— Theshrill，dementedchoirsofwailingshells； Andbuglescallingforthemfromsadshires。 Whatcandlesmaybeheldtospeedthemall？ Notinthehandsofboys，butintheireyesShallshinetheholyglimmersofgoodbyes。 Thepallorofgirls’browsshallbetheirpall； Theirflowersthetendernessofpatientminds，Andeachslowduskadrawing—downofblinds。 TheSend—offDowntheclose，darkeninglanestheysangtheirwayTothesiding—shed，Andlinedthetrainwithfacesgrimlygay。 TheirbreastswerestuckallwhitewithwreathandsprayAsmen’sare，dead。 Dullporterswatchedthem，andacasualtrampStoodstaringhard，Sorrytomissthemfromtheuplandcamp。 Then，unmoved，signalsnodded，andalampWinkedtotheguard。 Sosecretly，likewrongshushed—up，theywent。 Theywerenotours： Weneverheardtowhichfronttheseweresent。 NorthereiftheyyetmockwhatwomenmeantWhogavethemflowers。 ShalltheyreturntobeatingsofgreatbellsInwildtrainloads？ Afew，afew，toofewfordrumsandyells，Maycreepback，silent，tostillvillagewellsUphalf—knownroads。 InsensibilityI HappyaremenwhoyetbeforetheyarekilledCanlettheirveinsruncold。 WhomnocompassionfleersOrmakestheirfeetSoreonthealleyscobbledwiththeirbrothers。 Thefrontlinewithers，Buttheyaretroopswhofade，notflowersForpoets’tearfulfooling： Men，gapsforfillingLosseswhomighthavefoughtLonger；butnoonebothers。 II AndsomeceasefeelingEventhemselvesorforthemselves。 DullnessbestsolvesTheteaseanddoubtofshelling，AndChance’sstrangearithmeticComessimplerthanthereckoningoftheirshilling。 TheykeepnocheckonArmies’decimation。 III Happyarethesewholoseimagination： Theyhaveenoughtocarrywithammunition。 Theirspiritdragsnopack。 Theiroldwoundssavewithcoldcannotmoreache。 Havingseenallthingsred，TheireyesareridOfthehurtofthecolourofbloodforever。 Andterror’sfirstconstrictionover，Theirheartsremainsmalldrawn。 TheirsensesinsomescorchingcauteryofbattleNowlongsinceironed，Canlaughamongthedying，unconcerned。 IV Happythesoldierhome，withnotanotionHowsomewhere，everydawn，somemenattack，Andmanysighsaredrained。 Happytheladwhosemindwasnevertrained： Hisdaysareworthforgettingmorethannot。 HesingsalongthemarchWhichwemarchtaciturn，becauseofdusk，Thelong，forlorn，relentlesstrendFromlargerdaytohugernight。 V Wewise，whowithathoughtbesmirchBloodoveralloursoul，HowshouldweseeourtaskButthroughhisbluntandlashlesseyes？ Alive，heisnotvitalovermuch； Dying，notmortalovermuch； Norsad，norproud，Norcuriousatall。 HecannottellOldmen’splacidityfromhis。 VI Butcursedaredullardswhomnocannonstuns，Thattheyshouldbeasstones。 Wretchedarethey，andmeanWithpaucitythatneverwassimplicity。 BychoicetheymadethemselvesimmuneTopityandwhatevermournsinmanBeforethelastseaandthehaplessstars； Whatevermournswhenmanyleavetheseshores； WhateversharesTheeternalreciprocityoftears。 DulceetDecorumestBentdouble，likeoldbeggarsundersacks，Knock—kneed，coughinglikehags，wecursedthroughsludge，Tillonthehauntingflaresweturnedourbacks，Andtowardsourdistantrestbegantotrudge。 Menmarchedasleep。Manyhadlosttheirboots，Butlimpedon，blood—shod。Allwentlame，allblind； Drunkwithfatigue；deafeventothehootsOfgas—shellsdroppingsoftlybehind。 Gas！GAS！Quick，boys！——AnecstasyoffumblingFittingtheclumsyhelmetsjustintime，ButsomeonestillwasyellingoutandstumblingAndflound’ringlikeamaninfireorlime。—— Dimthroughthemistypanesandthickgreenlight，Asunderagreensea，Isawhimdrowning。 InallmydreamsbeforemyhelplesssightHeplungesatme，guttering，choking，drowning。 Ifinsomesmotheringdreams，youtoocouldpaceBehindthewagonthatweflunghimin，Andwatchthewhiteeyeswrithinginhisface，Hishangingface，likeadevil’ssickofsin，Ifyoucouldhear，ateveryjolt，thebloodComegarglingfromthefroth—corruptedlungsBitterasthecudOfvile，incurablesoresoninnocenttongues，—— Myfriend，youwouldnottellwithsuchhighzestTochildrenardentforsomedesperateglory，TheoldLie：~DulceetdecorumestPropatriamori~。 TheSentryWe’dfoundanoldBochedug—out，andheknew，Andgaveushell，forshellonfranticshellHammeredontop，butneverquiteburstthrough。 Rain，gutteringdowninwaterfallsofslimeKeptslushwaisthigh，thatrisinghourbyhour，Chokedupthestepstoothickwithclaytoclimb。 Whatmurkofairremainedstankold，andsourWithfumesofwhizz—bangs，andthesmellofmenWho’dlivedthereyears，andlefttheircurseintheden，Ifnottheircorpses…… ThereweherdedfromtheblastOfwhizz—bangs，butonefoundourdooratlast。 Buffetingeyesandbreath，snuffingthecandles。 Andthud！flump！thud！downthesteepstepscamethumpingAndsplashingintheflood，delugingmuck—— Thesentry’sbody；thenhisrifle，handlesOfoldBochebombs，andmudinruckonruck。 Wedredgedhimup，forkilled，untilhewhined\"Osir，myeyes——I’mblind——I’mblind，I’mblind！\" Coaxing，IheldaflameagainsthislidsAndsaidifhecouldseetheleastblurredlightHewasnotblind；intimehe’dgetallright。 \"Ican’t，\"hesobbed。Eyeballs，huge—bulgedlikesquidsWatchmydreamsstill；butIforgothimthereInpostingnextforduty，andsendingascoutTobegastretchersomewhere，andflounderingaboutTootherpostsundertheshriekingair。 Thoseotherwretches，howtheybledandspewed，Andonewhowouldhavedrownedhimselfforgood，—— Itrynottorememberthesethingsnow。 Letdreadharkbackforonewordonly：howHalf—listeningtothatsentry’smoansandjumps，Andthewildchatteringofhisbrokenteeth，RenewedmosthorriblywhenevercrumpsPummelledtheroofandsloggedtheairbeneath—— Throughthedensedin，Isay，weheardhimshout\"Iseeyourlights！\"Butourshadlongdiedout。 TheDead—BeatHedropped，——moresullenlythanwearily，Laystupidlikeacod，heavylikemeat，Andnoneofuscouldkickhimtohisfeet； Justblinkedatmyrevolver，blearily； ——Didn’tappeartoknowawarwason，Orseetheblastedtrenchatwhichhestared。 \"I’lldo’emin，\"hewhined，\"Ifthishand’sspared，I’llmurderthem，Iwill。\" Alowvoicesaid，\"It’sBlighty，p’raps，hesees；hispluck’sallgone，Dreamingofallthevaliant，that~aren’t~dead： Bolduncles，smilingministerially； Maybehisbraveyoungwife，gettingherfunInsomenewhome，improvedmaterially。 It’snotthesestiffshavecrazedhim；northeHun。\" Wesenthimdownatlast，outoftheway。 Unwounded；——stoutlad，too，beforethatstrafe。 Malingering？Stretcher—bearerswinked，\"Nothalf！\" NextdayIheardtheDoc。’swell—whiskiedlaugh： \"Thatscumyousentlastnightsoondied。Hooray！\" ExposureI Ourbrainsache，inthemercilessicedeastwindsthatknifeus…… Weariedwekeepawakebecausethenightissilent…… Lowdroopingflaresconfuseourmemoryofthesalient…… Worriedbysilence，sentrieswhisper，curious，nervous，Butnothinghappens。 Watching，wehearthemadguststuggingonthewire。 Liketwitchingagoniesofmenamongitsbrambles。 Northwardincessantly，theflickeringgunneryrumbles，Faroff，likeadullrumourofsomeotherwar。 Whatarewedoinghere？ Thepoignantmiseryofdawnbeginstogrow…… Weonlyknowwarlasts，rainsoaks，andcloudssagstormy。 DawnmassingintheeasthermelancholyarmyAttacksoncemoreinranksonshiveringranksofgray，Butnothinghappens。 Suddensuccessiveflightsofbulletsstreakthesilence。 Lessdeadlythantheairthatshuddersblackwithsnow，Withsidelongflowingflakesthatflock，pauseandrenew，Wewatchthemwanderingupanddownthewind’snonchalance，Butnothinghappens。 II Paleflakeswithlingeringstealthcomefeelingforourfaces—— Wecringeinholes，backonforgottendreams，andstare，snow—dazed，Deepintograssierditches。Sowedrowse，sun—dozed，Litteredwithblossomstricklingwheretheblackbirdfusses。 Isitthatwearedying？ Slowlyourghostsdraghome：glimpsingthesunkfiresglozedWithcrusteddark—redjewels；cricketsjinglethere； Forhourstheinnocentmicerejoice：thehouseistheirs； Shuttersanddoorsallclosed：onusthedoorsareclosed—— Weturnbacktoourdying。 Sincewebelievenototherwisecankindfiresburn； Noweversunssmiletrueonchild，orfield，orfruit。 ForGod’sinvinciblespringourloveismadeafraid； Therefore，notloath，welieouthere；thereforewereborn，ForloveofGodseemsdying。 To—night，Hisfrostwillfastenonthismudandus，Shrivellingmanyhandsandpuckeringforeheadscrisp。 Theburying—party，picksandshovelsintheirshakinggrasp，Pauseoverhalf—knownfaces。Alltheireyesareice，Butnothinghappens。 SpringOffensiveHaltedagainsttheshadeofalasthill，Theyfed，and，lyingeasy，wereateaseAnd，findingcomfortablechestsandkneesCarelesslyslept。ButmanytherestoodstillTofacethestark，blankskybeyondtheridge，Knowingtheirfeethadcometotheendoftheworld。 Marvellingtheystood，andwatchedthelonggrassswirledBytheMaybreeze，murmurouswithwaspandmidge，ForthoughthesummeroozedintotheirveinsLiketheinjecteddrugfortheirbones’pains，Sharpontheirsoulshungtheimminentlineofgrass，Fearfullyflashedthesky’smysteriousglass。 Hourafterhourtheyponderthewarmfield—— Andthefarvalleybehind，wherethebuttercupsHadblessedwithgoldtheirslowbootscomingup，Whereeventhelittlebrambleswouldnotyield，Butclutchedandclungtothemlikesorrowinghands； Theybreatheliketreesunstirred。 TilllikeacoldgustthrilledthelittlewordAtwhicheachbodyanditssoulbegirdAndtightenthemforbattle。NoalarmsOfbugles，nohighflags，noclamoroushaste—— OnlyaliftandflareofeyesthatfacedThesun，likeafriendwithwhomtheirloveisdone。 Olargershonethatsmileagainstthesun，—— Mightierthanhiswhosebountythesehavespurned。 So，soontheytoppedthehill，andracedtogetherOveranopenstretchofherbandheatherExposed。AndinstantlythewholeskyburnedWithfuryagainstthem；andsoftsuddencupsOpenedinthousandsfortheirblood；andthegreenslopesChasmedandsteepenedsheertoinfinitespace。 OfthemwhorunningonthatlasthighplaceLeapttoswiftunseenbullets，orwentupOnthehotblastandfuryofhell’supsurge，Orplungedandfellawaypastthisworld’sverge，SomesayGodcaughtthemevenbeforetheyfell。 Butwhatsaysuchasfromexistence’brinkVenturedbutdravetooswifttosink。 Thefewwhorushedinthebodytoenterhell，Andthereout—fiendingallitsfiendsandflamesWithsuperhumaninhumanities，Long—famousglories，immemorialshames—— Andcrawlingslowlyback，havebydegreesRegainedcoolpeacefulairinwonder—— Whyspeaktheynotofcomradesthatwentunder？ TheChancesImindas’owthenightaforethatshowUsfivegottalking，——wewasintheknow，\"Overthetopto—morrer；boys，we’reforit，Firstwaveweare，firstruddywave；that’storeit。\" \"Ahwell，\"saysJimmy，——an’’e’sseensomescrappin’—— \"Thereain’tmorenorfivethingsascan’appen； Yegetknockedout；elsewounded——badorcushy； Scuppered；ornowtexceptyerfeelingmushy。\" Oneofusgottheknock—out，blowntochops。 T’otherwashurt，like，losin’both’isprops。 An’one，tousethewordof’ypocrites，’AdthemisfortoontobetookbyFritz。 Nowme，Iwasn’tscratched，praiseGodAlmighty（ThoughnexttimepleaseI’llthank’imforablighty），ButpooryoungJim，’e’slivin’an’’e’snot； ’Ereckoned’e’dfivechances，an’’e’s’ad； ’E’swounded，killed，andpris’ner，allthelot—— Theruddylotallrolledinone。Jim’smad。 S。I。W。 \"IwilltotheKing，Andofferhimconsolationinhistrouble，Forthatmantherehassethisteethtodie，Andbeingonethathatesobedience，Discipline，andorderlinessoflife，Icannotmournhim。\" W。B。Yeats。 Pattinggoodbye，doubtlesstheytoldtheladHe’dalwaysshowtheHunabraveman’sface； Fatherwouldsoonerhimdeadthanindisgrace，—— Wasproudtoseehimgoing，aye，andglad。 PerhapshisMotherwhimperedhowshe’dfretUntilhegotanice，safewoundtonurse。 Sisterswouldwishgirlstoocouldshoot，charge，curse，…… Brothers——wouldsendhisfavouritecigarette，Eachweek，monthaftermonth，theywrotethesame，ThinkinghimshelteredinsomeY。M。Hut，WhereonceanhourabulletmisseditsaimAndmissesteasedthehungerofhisbrain。 Hiseyesgrewoldwithwincing，andhishandRecklesswithague。Courageleaked，assandFromthebestsandbagsafteryearsofrain。 Butneverleave，wound，fever，trench—foot，shock，Untrappedthewretch。AnddeathseemedstillwithheldFortortureoflyingmachinallyshelled，Atthepleasureofthisworld’sPowerswho’drunamok。 He’dseenmenshoottheirhands，onnightpatrol，Theirpeopleneverknew。Yettheywerevile。 \"Deathsoonerthandishonour，that’sthestyle！\" SoFathersaid。 Onedawn，ourwirepatrolCarriedhim。Thistime，Deathhadnotmissed。 Wecoulddonothing，butwipehisbleedingcough。 Coulditbeaccident？——Riflesgooff…… Notsniped？No。（LatertheyfoundtheEnglishball。） Itwasthereasonedcrisisofhissoul。 AgainstthefiresthatwouldnotburnhimwholeButkepthimfordeath’sperjuryandscoffAndlife’shalf—promising，andboththeirriling。 Withhimtheyburiedthemuzzlehisteethhadkissed，AndtruthfullywrotetheMother\"Timdiedsmiling。\" FutilityMovehimintothesun—— Gentlyitstouchawokehimonce，Athome，whisperingoffieldsunsown。 Alwaysitwokehim，eveninFrance，Untilthismorningandthissnow。 IfanythingmightrousehimnowThekindoldsunwillknow。 Thinkhowitwakestheseeds—— Woke，once，theclaysofacoldstar。 Arelimbssodear—achieved，aresidesFull—nerved，——stillwarm，——toohardtostir？ Wasitforthistheclaygrewtall？ ——OwhatmadefatuoussunbeamstoilTobreakearth’ssleepatall？ Smile，Smile，SmileHeadtolimphead，thesunk—eyedwoundedscannedYesterday’sMail；thecasualties（typedsmall） And（large）VastBootyfromourLatestHaul。 Also，theyreadofCheapHomes，notyetplanned； For，saidthepaper，\"WhenthiswarisdoneThemen’sfirstinstinctwillbemakinghomes。 Meanwhiletheirforemostneedisaerodromes，Itbeingcertainwarhasjustbegun。 Peacewoulddowrongtoourundyingdead，—— ThesonsweofferedmightregrettheydiedIfwegotnothinglastingintheirstead。 Wemustbesolidlyindemnified。 ThoughallbeworthyVictorywhichallbought，WerulerssittinginthisancientspotWouldwrongourveryselvesifweforgotThegreatestglorywillbetheirswhofought，Whokeptthisnationinintegrity。\" Nation？——Thehalf—limbedreadersdidnotchafeButsmiledatoneanothercuriouslyLikesecretmenwhoknowtheirsecretsafe。 Thisisthethingtheyknowandneverspeak，ThatEnglandonebyonehadfledtoFrance（NotmanyelsewherenowsaveunderFrance）。 Picturesofthesebroadsmilesappeareachweek，AndpeopleinwhosevoicerealfeelingringsSay：Howtheysmile！They’rehappynow，poorthings。 ~23rdSeptember~1918。 ConsciousHisfingerswake，andflutterupthebed。 Hiseyescomeopenwithapullofwill，Helpedbytheyellowmay—flowersbyhishead。 Ablind—corddrawlsacrossthewindow—sill…… Howsmooththefloorofthewardis！whatarug！ Andwho’sthattalking，somewhereoutofsight？ Whyaretheylaughing？What’sinsidethatjug？ \"Nurse！Doctor！\"\"Yes；allright，allright。\" Butsuddenduskbewildersalltheair—— Thereseemsnotimetowantadrinkofwater。 Nurselookssofaraway。AndeverywhereMusicandrosesburntthroughcrimsonslaughter。 Cold；cold；he’scold；andyetsohot： Andthere’snolighttoseethevoicesby—— Notimetodream，andask——heknowsnotwhat。 ATerre（~BeingthephilosophyofmanySoldiers。~） Sitonthebed；I’mblind，andthreepartsshell，Becareful；can’tshakehandsnow；nevershall。 Botharmshavemutiniedagainstme——brutes。 Myfingersfidgetliketenidlebrats。 Itriedtopegoutsoldierly——nouse！ Onediesofwarlikeanyolddisease。 Thisbandagefeelslikepenniesonmyeyes。 Ihavemymedals？——Discstomakeeyesclose。 Mygloriousribbons？——RippedfrommyownbackInscarletshreds。（That’sforyourpoetrybook。） Ashortlifeandamerryone，mybrick！ Weusedtosaywe’dhatetolivedeadold，—— Yetnow……I’dwillinglybepuffy，bald，Andpatriotic。BufferscatchfromboysAtleastthejokeshurledatthem。IsupposeLittleI’deverteachason，buthitting，Shooting，war，hunting，alltheartsofhurting。 Well，that’swhatIlearnt，——that，andmakingmoney。 Yourfiftyyearsaheadseemnonetoomany？ TellmehowlongI’vegot？God！ForoneyearTohelpmyselftonothingmorethanair！ OneSpring！Isonetoogoodtospare，toolong？ Springwindwouldworkitsownwaytomylung，Andgrowmelegsasquickaslilac—shoots。 Myservant’slamed，butlistenhowheshouts！ WhenI’mluggedout，he’llstillbegoodforthat。 Hereinthismummy—case，youknow，I’vethoughtHowwellImighthaveswepthisfloorsforever，I’dasknonightoffwhenthebustle’sover，Enjoyingsothedirt。Who’sprejudicedAgainstagrimedhandwhenhisown’squitedust，Lesslivethanspecksthatinthesun—shaftsturn，Lesswarmthandustthatmixeswitharms’tan？ I’dlovetobeasweep，now，blackasTown，Yes，oramuckman。MustIbehisload？ OLife，Life，letmebreathe，——adug—outrat！ Notworsethanourstheexistencesratslead—— Nosingalongatnightdownsomesafevat，Theyfindashell—proofhomebeforetheyrot。 Deadmenmayenvylivingmitesincheese，Orgoodgermseven。Microbeshavetheirjoys，Andsubdivide，andnevercometodeath，Certainlyflowershavetheeasiesttimeonearth。 \"Ishallbeonewithnature，herb，andstone。\" Shelleywouldtellme。Shelleywouldbestunned； ThedullestTommyhugsthatfancynow。 \"Pushingupdaisies，\"istheircreed，youknow。 Tograin，then，gomyfat，tobudsmysap，Foralltheusefulnessthereisinsoap。 D’youthinktheBochewilleverstewman—soup？ Someday，nodoubt，if…… Friend，beverysureIshallbebetteroffwithplantsthatshareMorepeaceablythemeadowandtheshower。 Softrainswilltouchme，——astheycouldtouchonce，Andnothingbutthesunshallmakemeware。 Yourgunsmaycrasharoundme。I’llnothear； Or，ifIwince，IshallnotknowIwince。 Don’ttakemysoul’spoorcomfortforyourjest。 Soldiersmaygrowasoulwhenturnedtofronds，Butherethething’sbestleftathomewithfriends。 Mysoul’salittlegrief，grapplingyourchest，Toclimbyourthroatonsobs；easilychasedOnothersighsandwipedbyfresherwinds。 Carrymycryingspirittillit’sweanedTodowithoutwhatbloodremainedthesewounds。 WildwithallRegrets（Anotherversionof\"ATerre\"。） ToSiegfriedSassoonMyarmshavemutiniedagainstme——brutes！ Myfingersfidgetliketenidlebrats，Myback’sbeenstiffforhours，damnedhours。 DeathnevergiveshissquadaStand—at—ease。 Ican’tread。There：it’snouse。Takeyourbook。 Ashortlifeandamerryone，mybuck！ Wesaidwe’dhatetogrowdeadold。Butnow，Nottoliveoldseemsawful：nottorenewMyboyhoodwithmyboys，andteach’emhitting，Shootingandhunting，——alltheartsofhurting！ ——Well，that’swhatIlearnt。That，andmakingmoney。 Yourfiftyyearsinstoreseemnonetoomany； ButI’vefiveminutes。God！ForjusttwoyearsTohelpmyselftothisgoodairofyours！ OneSpring！Isonetoohardtospare？Toolong？ Springairwouldfinditsownwaytomylung，Andgrowmelegsasquickaslilac—shoots。 Yes，there’stheorderly。He’llchangethesheetsWhenI’mluggedout，oh，couldn’tIdothat？ Hereinthiscoffinofabed，I’vethoughtI’dliketokneelandsweephisfloorsforever，—— Andasknonightsoffwhenthebustle’sover，ForI’denjoythedirt；who’sprejudicedAgainstagrimedhandwhenhisown’squitedust，—— Lesslivethanspecksthatinthesun—shaftsturn？ Deardust，——inrooms，onroads，onfaces’tan！ I’dlovetobeasweep’sboy，blackasTown； Yes，oramuckman。MustIbehisload？ Afleawoulddo。Ifonechapwasn’tbloody，Orwentstone—cold，I’dfindanotherbody。 WhichIshan’tmanagenow。Unlessit’syours。 Ishallstayinyou，friend，forsomefewhours。 You’llfeelmyheavyspiritchillyourchest，Andclimbyourthroatonsobs，untilit’schasedOnsighs，andwipedfromoffyourlipsbywind。 Ithinkonyourrichbreathing，brother，I’llbeweanedTodowithoutwhatbloodremainedmefrommywound。 ~5thDecember~1917。 DisabledHesatinawheeledchair，waitingfordark，Andshiveredinhisghastlysuitofgrey，Legless，sewnshortatelbow。ThroughtheparkVoicesofboysrangsaddeninglikeahymn，Voicesofplayandpleasureafterday，Tillgatheringsleephadmotheredthemfromhim。 AboutthistimeTownusedtoswingsogayWhenglow—lampsbuddedinthelight—bluetreesAndgirlsglancedlovelierastheairgrewdim，——Intheoldtimes，beforehethrewawayhisknees。 NowhewillneverfeelagainhowslimGirls’waistsare，orhowwarmtheirsubtlehands，Allofthemtouchhimlikesomequeerdisease。 Therewasanartistsillyforhisface，Foritwasyoungerthanhisyouth，lastyear。 Nowheisold；hisbackwillneverbrace； He’slosthiscolourveryfarfromhere，Poureditdownshell—holestilltheveinsrandry，Andhalfhislifetimelapsedinthehotrace，Andleapofpurplespurtedfromhisthigh。 Onetimehelikedabloodsmeardownhisleg，Afterthematchescarriedshoulder—high。 Itwasafterfootball，whenhe’ddrunkapeg，Hethoughthe’dbetterjoin。Hewonderswhy…… Someonehadsaidhe’dlookagodinkilts。 That’swhy；andmaybe，too，topleasehisMeg，Aye，thatwasit，topleasethegiddyjilts，Heaskedtojoin。Hedidn’thavetobeg； Smilingtheywrotehislie；agednineteenyears。 Germanshescarcelythoughtof；andnofearsOfFearcameyet。HethoughtofjewelledhiltsFordaggersinplaidsocks；ofsmartsalutes； Andcareofarms；andleave；andpayarrears； Espritdecorps；andhintsforyoungrecruits。 Andsoon，hewasdraftedoutwithdrumsandcheers。 Somecheeredhimhome，butnotascrowdscheerGoal。 OnlyasolemnmanwhobroughthimfruitsThankedhim；andtheninquiredabouthissoul。 Now，hewillspendafewsickyearsinInstitutes，Anddowhatthingstherulesconsiderwise，Andtakewhateverpitytheymaydole。 To—nighthenoticedhowthewomen’seyesPassedfromhimtothestrongmenthatwerewhole。 Howcoldandlateitis！Whydon’ttheycomeAndputhimintobed？Whydon’ttheycome？ TheEndAftertheblastoflightningfromtheeast，Theflourishofloudclouds，theChariotthrone，AfterthedrumsoftimehaverolledandceasedAndfromthebronzewestlongretreatisblown，ShallLiferenewthesebodies？OfatruthAlldeathwillheannul，alltearsassuage？ OrfillthesevoidveinsfullagainwithyouthAndwashwithanimmortalwaterage？ WhenIdoaskwhiteAge，hesaithnotso，—— \"Myheadhangsweighedwithsnow。\" AndwhenIhearkentotheEarthshesaithMyfieryheartsinksaching。Itisdeath。 MineancientscarsshallnotbeglorifiedNormytitanictearstheseasbedried。\"