WithanintroductionbyWilliamArcherContentsIntroductionbyWilliamArcherJuveniliaAnOdetoNaturalBeautyTheDesertedGardenTheTortureofCuauhtemocTheNympholeptTheWandererTheNeedtoLoveElExtraviadoLaNueAllThat’sNotLove……
ParisTheSultan’sPalaceFragmentsThirtySonnets：
KyrenaikosAntinousVivienILoved……
VirginibusPuerisque……
WithaCopyofShakespeare’sSonnetsonLeavingCollegeWritteninaVolumeoftheComtessedeNoaillesCoucyTezcotzincoTheOldLoweHouse，StatenIslandOneataOntheCliffs，NewportToEnglandattheOutbreakoftheBalkanWarAttheTombofNapoleonBeforetheElectionsinAmerica——November，1912
TheRendezvousDoYouRememberOnce……
TheBayadereEudaemonBroceliandeLyonesseTithonusAnOdetoAntaresTranslationsDante。Inferno，CantoXXVI
Ariosto。OrlandoFurioso，CantoX，91-99
OnaThemeintheGreekAnthologyAfteranEpigramofClementMarotLastPoemsTheAisne（1914-15）
Champagne（1914-15）
TheHostsMaktoobIHaveaRendezvouswithDeath……
Sonnets：-
SonnetI——
SonnetII——
SonnetIII——
SonnetIV——
SonnetV——
SonnetVI——
SonnetVII——
SonnetVIII——
SonnetIX——
SonnetX——
SonnetXI——
SonnetXII-
BellingliseLiebestodResurgamAMessagetoAmericaIntroductionandConclusionofaLongPoemOdeinMemoryoftheAmericanVolunteersFallenforFranceIntroductionbyWilliamArcherThisbookcontainstheundesigned，butallthemorespontaneousandauthentic，biographyofaveryrarespirit。Itcontainstherecordofashortlife，intowhichwascrowdedfarmoreofkeenexperienceandhighaspiration——ofthethrillofsenseandtheraptureofsoul——thanitisgiventomostmen，evenofhighvitality，toextractfromalifeoftwicethelength。
AlanSeegerhadbarelypassedhistwenty-eighthbirthday，when，charginguptotheGermantrenchesonthefieldofBelloy-en-Santerre，his\"escouade\"oftheForeignLegionwascaughtinadeadlyflurryofmachine-gunfire，andhefell，withmostofhiscomrades，ontheblood-stainedbutreconqueredsoil。Tohisfriendsthelosswasgrievous，toliteratureitwas——weshallneverknowhowgreat，butassuredlynotsmall。Yetthiswasacase，ifevertherewasone，inwhichwemaynotonlysay\"Nothingisherefortears，\"
butmayaddtothewell-wornphraseitslessfamiliarsequel：
NothingtowailOrknockthebreast，noweakness，nocontempt，Dispraise，orblame，——nothingbutwellandfair，Andwhatmayquietusinadeathsonoble。
Ofallthepoetswhohavediedyoung，nonehasdiedsohappily。
Withoutsuggestinganyparityofstature，onecannotbutthinkofthegroupofEnglishpoetswho，aboutahundredyearsago，werecutoffinthefloweroftheirage。Keats，coughingouthissoulbytheSpanishSteps;Shelley’sspiritofflamesnuffedoutbyachancecapfulofwindfromthehillsofCarrara;
Byron，stungbyafever-gnatontheverythresholdofhisgreatadventure——
forallthesewecanfeelnothingbutpoignantunrelievedregret。
AlanSeeger，ontheotherhand，wecanverytrulyenvy。Youthhadgivenhimallthatithadtogive;andthoughhewouldfainhavelivedon——
thoughnoonewaseverlessworld-wearythanhe——yetintheplenitudeofhisexultantstrength，witheyeundimmedandpulseunslackening，hemetthedeathhehadvoluntarilychallenged，inthecauseofthelandheloved，andinthemomentofvictory。Againandagain，bothinproseandinverse，hehadsaidthatthisseemedtohimagooddeathtodie;andtwoyearsofunflinchingenduranceofself-imposedhardshipanddangerhadprovedthathemeantwhathesaid。
Idonot，Irepeat，pretendtomeasurehimwithShelley，ByronorKeats，thoughIthinknoneofthemwouldhavedisdainedhisgiftofsong。
Butassuredlyheisoftheirfellowshipinvirtue，notonlyofhisearlydeath，butofhiswhole-hearteddevotiontothespiritofRomance，astheyunderstoodit。Fromhisboyhoodupward，hisonepassionwasforbeauty;anditwasintheguiseofRomancethatbeautyrevealeditselftohim。HewasfromthefirstdeterminednotonlytowritebuttoliveRomance，andwhenfatethrewinhiswayaworld-historicopportunity，heseizeditwithdelight。
HeknewthathewasdicingwithDeath，butthatwastheveryessenceofhisideal;andheknewthatifDeathwonthethrow，hisidealwascrownedandconsummated，foreversafefromthewitheringtouchoftime，oraccidentalsoilure。
IfithadbeengiventoSwinburnetofall，rifleinhand，on，say，thefieldofMentana，weshouldhavebeenthepoorerbymanysplendidverses，butthericherbyaheroiclife-story。
Andwouldhislothavebeenthelessenviable？Nay，surely，muchthemore。
ThatisthethoughtwhichmaywellbringsolacetothosewholovedAlanSeeger，andwhomayatfirsthavefeltasanunmixedcrueltythecuttingshortofsoeager，sogenerous，sogallantalife。
Thedescription\"Juvenilia\"attachedtothefirstseriesofthesepoemsisofhisownchoosing。Itisforthereadertojudgewhatallowanceistobemadeforunripeness，whetherofsubstanceorofform。
Criticismisnoneofmypresentbusiness。ButIthinknodiscerningreadercanfailtobeimpressedbyonegreatvirtuepervadingallthepoet’swork——itsabsolutesincerity。Thereisnopose，noaffectationofanysort。
Therearemarksofthelovingstudyofotherpoets，andthesethebest。
Wearefrequentlyremindedofthissingerandofthat。TheyoungAmericanisinstinctivelyloyaltothelongtraditionofEnglishliterature。
Heiscontenttoundergotheinfluenceofthegreatmasters，anddoesnotseekforprematureoriginalityontheby-pathsofeccentricity。
Butwhileheisthediscipleofmany，heisthevassalofnone。
Hismatterisalwayshisown，thefruitofpersonalvision，experience，imagination，evenifhemaynowandthenunconsciouslypouritintoamouldprovidedbyanother。Heisnomereechooftherhythmsofthispoet，ormimicofthatother’sattitudeandoutlook。Thegreatzestoflivingwhichinspireshimisfartoorealandintensetoclotheitselfinthetrappingsofanyalienindividuality。Heistoostraightforwardtobeevendramatic。Itisnothisinstincttoputonamask，evenforpurposesofartisticpersonation，andmuchlessofaffectation。
Ifevertherewasabeingwhosaid\"Yea\"tolife，accepteditasagloriousgift，andwasdeterminedtoliveitwithallhismight，itwasAlanSeeger。Suchaframeofmindistooinstinctiveandtemperamentaltobecalledoptimism。Itisnottheresultofabalancingofgoodandill，andareasoneddecisionthatgoodpreponderates。Ratheritisadirectperception，anintuition，ofthebeautyandwonderoftheuniverse——anintuitiontoooverpoweringtobeseriouslydisturbedbytheexistenceofpainandevil，someofwhich，atanyrate，hasitsvalueasafoil，abackground，tojoy。Thiswasthemessage——notaphilosophybutanirresistibleemotion——whichhesoughttodeliverthroughthemediumofanartwhichheseriouslystudiedanddeeplyloved。
Itspokefromtheverydepthsofhisbeing，andthepoemsinwhichitfoundutterance，whatevertheirpurelyliteraryqualities，haveatleastthevalueofafirst-handhumandocument，thesincereself-portraitureofavividandvirilesoul。
Therearethreemoreorlessclearly-markedelementsinapoet’sequipment——
observation，passion，reflection，orinsimplerterms，seeing，feelingandthinking。Thefirsttwoarerichlyrepresentedinthefollowingpoems，thethird，aswasnatural，muchlessso。
Thepoetwastoofullyoccupiedingarneringimpressionsandexperiencestothinkofco-ordinatingandinterpretingthem。Thatwouldhavecomelater;
andlater，too，wouldhavecomeageneraldeepeningofthespiritualcontentofhiswork。Therehadbeennothingineitherhisoutwardorhisinwardlifethatcouldfairlybecalledsufferingorstruggle。Hehadnotsoundedthedepthsofhumanexperience，whichisasmuchastosaythatneitherhadherisentotheheights。Thishenodoubtrecognisedhimself，andwasnotthinkingmerelyofthedateofcompositionwhenhecalledhispre-warpoems\"Juvenilia\"。Greatemotions，andperhapsgreatsorrows，wouldhavecometohiminduetime，andwouldhavedeepenedandenrichedhisveinofsong。
Thefirstgreatemotionwhichfoundhim，whenheralliedtothetrumpet-callofFranceandfreedom，did，asamatteroffact，lendnewrealityandpoignancytohisverse;butthesoldier’slifelefthimsmallleisureforcomposition。Wemustregardhiswork，then，asafragment，amereforetasteofwhathemighthaveachievedhadhislifebeenprolonged。But，devotedthoughhewastohisart，hefeltthattolivegreatlyisbetterthantowritegreatly。
Theunfulfilmentofhispoetichopesanddreamsmeantthefulfilmentofahigherambition。
AlanSeegerwasborninNewYorkonJune22nd，1888。
HisfatherandhismotherbelongedtooldNewEnglandfamilies。
WhenhewasayearoldhisparentsremovedtoStatenIsland，whichforms，asitwere，thestoppertothebottleofNewYorkharbour。
Thereheremaineduntilhistenthyear，growingupalongwithabrotherandasister，theonealittleolder，theotheralittleyounger，thanhimself。FromtheirhomeontheheightsofStatenIsland，thechildrenlookedoutdaybydayupononeofthemostromanticscenesintheworld——thegatewaytotheWesternHemisphere。
TheycouldseethegreatsteamshipsofallthenationsthreadingtheirwaythroughtheNarrowsandpassinginprocessionupthegloriousexpanseofNewYorkBay，towhichtheincessantlocaltrafficoftug-boats，riversteamersandhugesteam-ferrieslentanever-shiftinganimation。IntheforegroundlayRobbinsReefLighthouse，inthemiddledistancetheStatueofLiberty，inthebackgroundthegiantcurvesofBrooklynBridge，and，rangeoverrange，themountainousbuildingsof\"downtown\"NewYork——notthenascolossalastheyareto-day，butalreadyunlikeanythingelseunderthesun。
Andtheincomingstreamoftrampsandlinersmettheoutgoingstreamwhichcarriedtheimaginationseaward，totheislandsofthebuccaneers，andthehauntsofalltheheroesandvillainsofhistory，intheOldWorld。
Thechildrendidnotlookwithincuriouseyesuponthisstirringscene。
TheyknewthenamesofallthegreatEuropeanlinersandofthewarshipspassingtoandfromtheNavyYard;andthewallsoftheirnurserywerecoveredwiththeirdrawingsoftheshipping，rudeenough，nodoubt，butshowingaccurateobservationofsuchdetailsasfunnels，mastsandrigging。Theywereofanage，beforetheyleftStatenIsland，torealizesomethingofthehistoricimplicationsoftheirenvironment。
In1898thefamilyreturnedtoNewYork，andthereAlancontinuedattheHoraceMannSchooltheeducationbegunattheStatenIslandAcademy。
Thegreatdelightoftheten-year-oldschoolboywastofollowtherushingfire-engineswhichwereanalmostdailyfeatureinthelifeoftheNewYorkstreets。Eveninmanhoodhecouldneverresistthelureofthefire-alarm。
Twoyearslater（1900）cameanewmigration，whichnodoubtexercisedadetermininginfluenceontheboy’sdevelopment。ThefamilyremovedtoMexico，andthereAlanspentagreatpartofthemostimpressionableyearsofhisyouth。IfNewYorkembodiestheromanceofPower，MexicorepresentstoperfectiontheromanceofPicturesqueness。
TopassfromtheUnitedStatestoMexicoislikepassingatoneboundfromtheNewWorldtotheOld。WhereverithasnotbeenrecentlyAmericanized，itsbeautyisthatofsunbaked，somnolentdecay。Itisinmanywayscuriouslylikeitsmother——orratheritsstep-mother——country，Spain。
ButSpaincanshownothingtoequalthespaciousmagnificenceofitssceneryorthepicturesquenessofitsphysiognomiesanditscostumes。
Andthenitisthesceneofthemostfascinatingadventurerecordedinhistory——anexploitwhichputstoshametheimaginationofthegreatestmastersofromance。
ItistruethattheMexicoCityofto-dayshowsscantytraces（exceptinitsMuseum）oftheTenochtitlanofMontezuma;
butthevastamphitheatreonwhichitstandsisstillwonderfullyimpressive，andstillthegreatsilverconesofPopocatepetlandIxtaccihuatllookdownuponitfromtheirimmaculatealtitudes。
Thoughwellwithinthetropics，thegreatelevationofthecity（7400feet）
rendersitsclimateveryattractivetothoseforwhomheighthasnoterrors;
andtheSeegerssoonbecamegreatlyattachedtoit。
Fortwoveryhappyyears，itwasthehomeofthewholefamily。
Thechildrenhadatutorwhomtheyrespectedandloved，andwhohelpedtodeveloptheirtasteforpoetryandgoodliterature。
\"Oneofourkeenestpleasures，\"writesoneofthefamily，\"wastogoinabodytotheoldbook-shops，andonSundaymorningtothe`ThievesMarket’，torummagefortreasures;andmanyweretheElzevirsandworm-eaten，vellum-boundvolumesfromtheoldconventlibrariesthatfellintoourhands。
Atthattimeweissuedahomemagazinecalled`TheProphet’，inhonourofalargepaintingthatwehadacquiredandchosetoconsiderasthepatronofourhousehold。Themagazinewassupposedtoappearmonthly，butwasalwaysmonthsbehinditstime。Alanwasthesportingeditor，buthisliteraryabilityhadeventhenbeguntoappear，andheoversteppedhisdepartmentwithcontributionsofpoetryandlengthyessays。Nocopiesofthisfamousperiodicalareextant：
theyallwentdowninthewreckofthe`Merida’。\"
Inthechillydaysofwinter，frequentvisitswerepaidtothelowerlevelsofthe`tierratemplada’，especiallytoCuernavaca，oneofthe\"show\"placesofthecountry。Thechildrenlearnedtorideandtocycle，andwerethusabletoextendtheirexcursionsonallsides。
When，aftertwoyears，theywentbacktotheUnitedStatestoschool，theywerealreadyfamiliarwithMexicannatureandlife;
andtheykepttheirimpressionsfreshbyfrequentvacationvisits。
Itmusthavebeenadelightfulexperiencetoslipdowneverynowandthentothetropics：firsttopassunderthepinkwallsofMorroCastleintothewidelagoonofHavana;thentocrosstheSpanishMaintoVeraCruz;
then，afterskirtingthegiantescarpmentofOrizaba，tocrawlzigzaggingupthealmostprecipitousascentthatdividesthe`tierratemplada’fromthe`tierrafria’;
andfinallytospeedthroughtheendlessagave-fieldsoftheuplandhaciendas，toMexicoCityandhome。
Mexico，andtheexperiencesassociatedwithit，haveleftdeepmarksonAlanSeeger’spoetry。Thevacationvoyagesthitherspeakinthisapostrophefromthe\"OdetoAntares\"：
StaroftheSouththatnowthroughorientmistAtnightfalloffTampicoorBelizeGreetestthesailor，risingfromthoseseasWherefirstinme，afondromanticist，Thetropicsunset’sbloomoncloudypilesCastoutindustriouscareswithdreamsoffabulousisles……
Thelongestofhispoems，\"TheDesertedGarden\"——averitablegalleryofimaginativelandscape——isentirelyMexicanincolouring。
Indeedwemayconjecturewithouttoomuchrashnessthatitisamereexpansionofthesonnetentitled\"Tezcotzinco\"，thefruitofasolitaryexcursiontotheruinsofNezahualcoyotl’sbaths，inthehillsbeyondTezcoco。
ButevenwherethereisnopaintingofdefiniteMexicanscenes，motivesfromthevastuplandswiththeircloudpageantry，andfromthepalm-fringed，incandescentcoasts，frequentlyrecurinhisverse。
Forinstance，hehadnotforgottenMexicowhenhewroteinavolumeoftheComtessedeNoailles：
BemycompanionundercoolarcadesThatframesomedrowsystreetanddazzlingsquare，Beyondwhoseflowersandpalm-treepromenadesWhitebelfriesburninthebluetropicair。
Andevenwhenthetropicswerefinallyleftbehind，hecarriedwithhiminhismemorytheirprofusionofcolour，anever-readypaletteonwhichtodraw。Assuredlyitwasafortunatechancethattookthisloverofsunlightandspaceandsplendor，inhismostreceptiveyears，toregionswheretheysuperabound。
Perhaps，hadhebeenconfinedtogloomierclimates，hecouldnothavewritten：
FromaboyIgloatedonexistence。EarthtomeSeemedall-sufficient，andmysojournthereOnetremblingopportunityforjoy。
Butthesamegoodfortunepursuedhimthroughout。Heseemedpredestinedtoenvironmentsofbeauty。When，atfourteen，helefthisMexicanhome，itwastogototheHackleySchoolatTarrytown，N。Y。，aninstitutionplacedonahighhilloverlookingthatnoblestofrivers，theHudson，andsurroundedbyadomainofitsown，extendingtomanyacresofmeadowandwoodland。Anattackofscarletfeverinhischildhoodhadlefthishealthfarfromrobust，anditwasthoughtthatthealtitudeofMexicoCitywastoogreatforhim。
HethereforespentoneofhisvacationsamongthehillsofNewHampshire，andwasafterwardsgivenayearoutofschool，withthefamilyofhisformertutor，inSouthernCalifornia——againaregionfamedforitsbeauty。Hereturnedmuchimprovedinhealth，andafteraconcludingyearatHackley，heenteredHarvardCollegein1906。
Henowplungedintowideandmiscellaneousreading，bothatHarvard，andatthemagnificentBostonLibrary。Duringhisfirsttwoyearsatcollege，hisbentseemedtolierathertowardsthestudiousandcontemplativethantowardstheactivelife。Hisbrother，atthistime，appearedtohimtobeofamorepleasure-lovingandadventurousdisposition;
andthereexistsalettertohismotherinwhich，aftercontrasting，withobviousallusiontoChaucer’s\"Prologue\"，themediaevalidealsoftheKnightandtheClerk，headds：\"C。istheKnightandItheClerk，derivingmorekeenpleasurefromtheperusalofamustyoldvolumethaninpursuingadventureoutintheworld。\"ButaboutthemiddleofhisHarvardcareer，amarkedchangecameoverhishabitsofthoughtandofaction。Heemergedfromhisshell，mademanyfriends，andthrewhimselfwithgreatzestintothesociallifeofhiscomrades。
Itisevident，however，thatthisdidnotmeananyslackeninginhisliteraryinterests。Hisworkgivesampleproofofreal，ifnotofsystematic，culture。Hegenuinelylovesandhasmadehisownmanyofthegreatthingsofthepast。HistranslationsfromDanteandAriosto，forexample，shownolesssympathythanaccomplishment。
VerycharacteristicishisselectionoftheTwenty-sixthCantoofthe`Inferno’，inwhichthenarrativeofUlyssesbringswithitabreathfromthegreatromanceoftheantiqueworld。ItisnoteworthythatbeforehegraduatedhetookupwithzealandwithdistinctionthestudyofCelticliterature——acorrective，perhaps，initscoolertones，tothetropicalmotiveswithwhichhismindwasstored。
Hewasoneoftheeditorsofthe`HarvardMonthly’，towhichhemadefrequentcontributionsofverse。
Therefollowedtwoyears（1910-12）inNewYork——probablytheleastsatisfactoryyearsofhislife。Thequestofbeautyisscarcelyaprofession，anditcausedhisparentssomeconcerntofindhimpausingirresoluteonthethresholdofmanhood，insteadofsettinghimselfagoalandbracinghisenergiesforitsachievement。In1911hismotherandsisterleftMexico，aweekortwobeforePorfirioDiazmadehisexit，andtheMaderistsenteredthecapital。TheyreturnedtoNewYork，tofindAlanstillunsettled，andpossessedwiththethought，orperhapsrathertheinstinct，thatthelifehecravedforwasnottobefoundinAmerica，butawaitedhiminEurope。Inthefollowingyearhecarriedhispoint，andsetoffforParis——adeparturewhichmayfairlybecalledhisHegira，theturning-pointofhishistory。Thatitshortenedhisspantherecanbelittledoubt。Hadhesettleddowntoliterarywork，inhisnativecity，hemighthavelivedtooldage。Butitsecuredhimfouryearsofthetenseandpoignantjoyoflivingonwhichhisheartwasset;
andduringtwooftheseyearsthejoywasofakindwhichabsolvedhimforeverfromthereproachofmerehedonismandself-indulgence。
Hewouldcertainlyhavesaid——orratherhewascontinuallysaying，inwordsfullofpassionateconviction——
OnecrowdedhourofgloriouslifeIsworthanagewithoutaname。
Itwasinthespiritofaromanticistoftheeighteen-fortiesthatheplungedintothelifeofParis。HehadaroomneartheMuseedeCluny，andhefoundhimselfthoroughlyathomeamongtheartistsandstudentsoftheLatinQuarter，thoughheoccasionallyvariedthe`ViedeBoheme’
byexcursionsinto\"society\"ofamoreorthodoxtype。
Parishashadmanylovers，butfewmoredevotedthanAlanSeeger。
Heacceptedthelifeof\"diesingende，springende，schoeneParis\"
withacuriouswhole-heartedness。Hereandtherewefindevidence——forinstance，inthefirsttwosonnets——thathewasnotblindtoitsseamyside。Butonthewholeheappearstohaveseenbeautyeveninaspectsofitforwhichitisalmostasdifficulttofindaestheticasmoraljustification。Thetruthis，nodoubt，thatthewholespectaclewasplungedforhimintheglamourofromance。
Parisdidnotbelongtotheworking-dayworld，butwaslikeBaghdadorSamarcand，acityoftheArabianNights。
Howhisimaginationtransfigureditwemayseeinsuchapassageasthis：
BysilverywatersintheplainsafarGlimmerstheinlandcitylikeastar，Withgildedgatesandsunnyspiresablaze，Andburnisheddomeshalfseenthroughluminoushaze。
Lo，withwhatopportunityearthteems！
Howlikeafairitsamplebeautyseems！
Flutteringwithflagsitsproudpavilionsrise：
Whatbrightbazaars，whatmarvellousmerchandise，Downseethingalleyswhatmelodiousdin，Whatclamor，importuningfromeverybooth：
AtEarth’sgreatmartwhereJoyistraffickedinBuywhilethypurseyetswellswithgoldenYouth！
Intothisfairhesalliedforth，notasonetothemannerborn，butwiththeeagernessofatravellerfromafarcountry，whofeelsasthoughhewerelivinginadream。Hisattitudetothewholeexperienceiscuriouslyingenuous，butperfectlysaneandstraightforward。
ItistheParisofMurgerinwhichhelives，nottheParisofBaudelaireandtheSecondEmpire。Hetakeshisexperienceslightly。
Thereisnosigneitherofanystruggleofthesoulorofanyveryrendingtempestoftheheart。Thereisnoposing，self-consciousByronism，noranyofthatmorbiddallyingwiththeideaof\"sin\"
whichgivessuchanunpleasantflavortoagooddealofromanticpoetry，bothFrenchandEnglish。Therearetracesofdisappointmentanddisillusion，buttheyareacceptedwithoutamurmurasinevitableincidentsofagreat，absorbingexperience。Allthismeans，ofcourse，thatthereisnotragicdepth，andlittleanalyticsubtlety，inthesepoems。
Theyaretheworkofayoungmanenamouredofhisyouth，enthusiasticallygratefulforthegiftoflife，andentirelyathiseasewithinhisownmoralcode。Hehadknownnoneofwhathehimselfcalls\"thatkindofafflictionwhichalonecanunfoldtheprofunditiesofthehumanspirit。\"
ItwasinParisthatheproducedmostofthe\"Juvenilia\"。HeincludedonlyafewofthepieceswhichhehadwrittenatHarvardandinNewYork。
Thusall，ornearlyall，thepoemsrangedunderthattitle，are，ashesaid——
RelicsofthetimewhenItoofaredAcrossthesweetfifthlustrumofmydays。
Paris，however，didnotabsorbhimentirelyduringtheseyears。
HewouldoccasionallysetforthonlongtrampsthroughtheFrenchprovinces;
forhelovedeveryaspectofthatgraciouscountry。HeoncespentsomeweekswithafriendinSwitzerland;butthisexperienceseemstohaveleftnotraceinhiswork。
Thencamethefatefulyear1914。His\"Juvenilia\"havinggrowntoapassablebulk，hebroughtthemintheearlysummertoLondon，withaviewtofindingapublisherforthem;butitdoesnotappearthathetookanyveryactivestepstothateffect。HisdaysweremainlyspentintheBritishMuseum，andhiseveningswithacoterieoffriendsattheCafeRoyal。InthemiddleofJuly，hisfathercametoEnglandandspentaweekwithhim。OfthismeetingMr。Seegerwrites：
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WepassedthreedaysatCanterbury——threedaysofsuchintimacyaswehadhardlyhadsincehewasaboyinMexico。ForfourorfiveyearsIhadonlyseenhimafewdaysatatime，duringmyhurriedvisitstotheUnitedStates。Weexploredtheoldtowntogether，heardservicesintheCathedral，andhadlongtalksintheclose。
AfterserviceintheCathedralonaMondaymorning，thelastofourstayatCanterbury，AlanwasparticularlyenthusiasticoverthereadingofthePsalms，andsaid\"WasthereeversuchEnglishwrittenasthatoftheBible？\"Isaidgood-byetoAlanonJuly25th。
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Twodaysearlier，theAustrianUltimatumhadbeenpresentedtoSerbia;
onthatverydaythetimelimitexpired，theSerbianreplywasrejected，andtheAustrianMinisterleftBelgrade。Thewheelsoffatewerealreadywhirling。
AssoonasitbecameevidentthataEuropeanwarwasinevitableAlanreturnedtoParis。HetookBrugesonhisway，andthereleftthemanuscriptofhispoemsinthekeepingofaprinter，notforeseeingtheriskstowhichhewasthusexposingthem。
Thewarwasnotthreeweeksoldwhen，alongwithfortyorfiftyofhisfellow-countrymen，heenlistedintheForeignLegionofFrance。
Whydidhetakethisstep？Fundamentally，nodoubt，becausehefeltwartobeoneofthesupremeexperiencesoflife，fromwhich，whenitoffereditself，hecouldnotshrinkwithoutdisloyaltytohisideal。
Longbeforethewarwasanythingmorethanavaguepossibility，hehadimaginedthetime……whencourtedDeathshallclaimmylimbsandfindthemLaidinsomedesertplacealone，orwherethetidesOfwar’stumultuouswavesonthewetsandsbehindthemLeaveriftsofgaspinglifewhentheirredfloodsubsides。
SofarbackindeedasMay，1912，hehadwrittentohismotherfromParis：
\"IsitnotfinethewaytheBalkanStatesaretriumphing？
Ihavebeensoexcitedoverthewar，itwouldhaveneededaverysmallopportunitytohavetakenmeoverthere。\"Itisevident，then，thatthesoldier’slifehadlongbeenincludedamongthepossibilitieswhichfascinatedhim。Butapartfromthisgeneralproclivitytoadventure，thisdesireto\"livedangerously\"，hewasimpelledbyasimplesentimentofloyaltytothecountryandcityofhisheart，whichhehimselfexplainedinaletterwrittenfromtheAisnetrenchesto`TheNewRepublic’
（NewYork，May22，1915）：
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Ihavetalkedwithsomanyoftheyoungvolunteershere。Theircaseislittleknown，evenbytheFrench，yetaltogetherinterestingandappealing。
Theyareforeignersonwhomtheoutbreakofwarlaidnoformalcompulsion。
Buttheyhadstoodonthebutteinspringtimeperhaps，asJulianandLouisestood，andlookedoutoverthemyriadtwinklinglightsofthebeautifulcity。Paris——mystic，maternal，personified，towhomtheyowedthehappiestmomentsoftheirlives——Pariswasinperil。
Weretheynotunderamoralobligation，nolessbindingthan[thatbywhich]
theircomradeswereboundlegally，toputtheirbreastsbetweenheranddestruction？Withoutrenouncingtheirnationality，theyhadyetchosentomaketheirhomesherebeyondanyothercityintheworld。
Didnotthebenefitsandblessingstheyhadreceivedpointthemadutythatheartandconsciencecouldnotdeny？
\"Whydidyouenlist？\"Ineverycasetheanswerwasthesame。
ThatmemorabledayinAugustcame。Suddenlytheoldhauntsweredesolate，thebooncompanionshadgone。Itwasunthinkabletoleavethedangertothemandacceptonlythepleasuresoneself，togoonenjoyingthesweetthingsoflifeindefenceofwhichtheywereperhapseventhensheddingtheirbloodinthenorth。Somedaytheywouldreturn，andwithhonor——notall，butsome。Theoldorderofthingswouldhaveirrevocablyvanished。Therewouldbeanewcompanionshipwhosebondwouldbethecommondangerrun，thecommonsufferingsborne，thecommongloryshared。\"Andwherehaveyoubeenallthetime，andwhathaveyoubeendoing？\"Theveryquestionwouldbeareproach，thoughnonewereintended。Howcouldtheyendureit？
Facetofacewithasituationlikethat，amanbecomesreconciled，justifieseasilythepartheisplaying，andcomestounderstand，inauniversewherelogiccountsforsolittleandsentimentandtheimpulseoftheheartforsomuch，theinevitablenessandnaturalnessofwar。
Suddenlytheworldisupinarms。Allmankindtakessides。Thesamefaiththatmadehimsurrenderhimselftotheimpulsesofnormallivingandoflove，forceshimnowtomakehimselftheinstrumentthroughwhichagreaterforceworksoutitsinscrutableendsthroughtheimpulsesofterrorandrepulsion。
Andwithnolessasenseofmovinginharmonywithauniversewheremassesareincontinualconflictandnewcombinationsareengenderedoutofeternalcollisions，heshouldersarmsandmarchesforthwithhaste。
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Alreadyinthispassagewecandiscernthefatalisticacceptanceofwarwhichrunsthroughmanyofhisutterancesonthesubject，andmaybereadespeciallyinthenobleconclusionofhispoem，\"TheHosts\"：
TherewasastatelydramawritBythehandthatpeopledtheearth&airAndsetthestarsintheinfiniteAndmadenightgorgeous&morningfair;
AndallthathadsensetoreasonknewThatbloodydramamustbegonethrough。
Somesat&watchedhowtheactionveered——
Waited，profited，trembled，cheered——
Wesawnotclearlynorunderstood，But，yieldingourselvestothemasterhand，Eachinhispart，asbesthecould，Weplayeditthroughastheauthorplanned。
Itwasnot，inhisownconception，a\"waragainstwar\"thathewaswaging;
itwassimplyafightforfreedomandforFrance。Someofusmayhopeandbelievethat，inafteryears，whenhewasatleisuretoviewhistoryinperspectiveandcarryhispsychologyalittledeeper，hewouldhaveallowed，ifnotmorepotency，atanyratemoreadaptability，tothehumanwill。Inordertodoso，itwouldnothavebeennecessarytoabandonhisfatalisticcreed。Hewouldhaveseen，perhaps，thatevenifweonlywillwhatwehavetowill，thefactorswhichshapethewill——oftheindividual，thenation，ortherace——arealwayschanging，andthatitisnotonlypossiblebutprobablethatthefactorswhichmakeforpeacemayonedaygaintheupperhandofthosewhich（forperfectlydefiniteandtangiblereasons）havehithertomadeforwar。
Thefactremains，however，thatheshoulderedhisknapsackwithoutanytheoreticdistasteforthesoldier’scalling。
Insofarhewasmorehappilysituatedthanthousandswhohavemadeallthebettersoldiersfortheirintensedetestationofthestupidityofwar。
Butthisinnowaydetractsfromhisloyaltytohispersonalideal，orfromthehighchivalryofhisdevotiontoFrance。
Thestoryofhislifeasasoldiershallbetold，sofaraspossible，inhisownwords。
AftersomebriefpreliminarytrainingatRouenhewassenttoToulouse。
Thence，onSeptember28，1914，hewroteasfollows：
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2meRegimentEtranger，BataillonC。，1re。Cie，3meSection。
Toulouse，Sept。28，1914。
DearMother，……Wehavebeenputtinginourtimehereatveryharddrilling，andaresupposedtohavelearnedinsixweekswhattheordinaryrecruit，intimesofpeace，takesallhistwoyearsat。Weriseat5，andworkstopsintheafternoonat5。Atwelvehoursdayatonesouaday。
Ihopetoearnhigherwagesthanthisintimetocome，butIneverexpecttoworkharder。TheearlyrisinghourissplendidforitgivesonethechancetoseethemostbeautifulpartofthesebeautifulautumndaysintheSouth。
Wemarchuptoalovelyopenfieldontheendoftheridgebehindthebarracks，walkingrightintotherisingsun。
Fromthispanorama，spreadaboutonthreesidesisincomparablyfine——yellowcornfields，vineyards，harvest-fieldswheretheworkersandtheirteamscanbeseenmovingaboutintinyfigures——
poplars，littlehamletsandchurch-towers，andfarawaytothesouththebluelineofthePyrenees，thehighpeakscappedwithsnow。
Itmakesoneinlovewithlife，itisallsopeacefulandbeautiful。
ButNaturetomeisnotonlyhillsandblueskiesandflowers，buttheUniverse，thetotalityofthings，realityasitmostobviouslypresentsitselftous;andinthisuniversestrifeandsternnessplayasbigapartasloveandtenderness，andcannotbeshirkedbyonewhosewillitistorulehislifeinaccordancewiththecosmicforcesheseesinplayabouthim。IhopeyouseethethingasIdo，andthinkthatIhavedonewell，beingwithoutresponsibilitiesandwithnoonetosuffermateriallybymydecision，intakinguponmyshoulders，too，theburdenthatsomuchofhumanityissufferingunder，and，ratherthanstandingloriouslyasidewhentheopportunitywasgivenme，doingmyshareforthesidethatIthinkright……
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ThebattalionmusthaveleftToulousealmostimmediatelyafterthiswaswritten，forinapost-cardofOctober10，fromtheCampdeMailly，Aube，hesaysthattheyhavebeentheretendays。
Aweeklaterhewrote：
==……Aftertwoweekshereandlessthantwomonthsfromenlistment，weareactuallygoingatlasttothefiringline。Bythetimeyoureceivethisweshallalreadyperhapshavehadour`baptemedefeu’。
Wehavebeenengagedinthehardestkindofhardwork——twoweeksofbeautifulautumnweatheronthewhole，frostynightsandsunnydaysandbeautifulcoloringonthesparsefoliagethatbreakshereandtherethewiderollingexpansesofopencountry。
Everyday，fromthedistancetothenorth，hascometheboomingofthecannonaroundReimsandthelinesalongtheMeuse……Butimaginehowthrillingitwillbetomorrowandthefollowingdays，marchingtowardthefrontwiththenoiseofbattlegrowingcontinuallylouderbeforeus。
Icouldtellyouwherewearegoing，butIdonotwanttorunanyriskofhavingthisletterstoppedbythecensor。Thewholeregimentisgoing，fourbattalions，about4000men。Youhavenoideahowbeautifulitistoseethetroopsundulatingalongtheroadinfrontofone，in`colonnesparquatre’
asfarastheeyecansee，withthecaptainsandlieutenantsonhorsebackattheheadoftheircompanies……Tomorrowtherealhardshipandprivationsbegin。ButIgointoactionwiththelightestoflighthearts。
Thehardworkandmomentsoffrightfulfatiguehavenotbrokenbuthardenedme，andIaminexcellenthealthandspirits……
Iamhappyandfullofexcitementoverthewonderfuldaysthatareahead。
Itwassuchacomforttoreceiveyourletter，andknowthatyouapprovedofmyaction。
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Inapost-cardofOctober20，postmarked\"Vertus\"，hesays：
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Thisisthesecondnight’shaltofourmarchtothefront。Allourwayhasbeenoneimmensebattlefield。ItwasamagnificentvictoryfortheFrenchthattheworlddoesnotfullyrealize。Ithinkwearemarchingtovictorytoo，butwhateverwearegoingtowearegoingtriumphantly。
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OnOctober23，hewritesfrom\"17kil。south-eastofReims\"。
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DearMother……Iamsittingonthecurbstoneofastreetattheedgeofthetown。Thehousesendabruptlyandtheyellowvineyardsbeginhere。Theviewisbroadanduninterruptedtothecresttenkilometersorsoacrossthevalley。Betweenthisandourselvesarethelinesofthetwoarmies。Afiercecannonadingisgoingoncontinually，andIliftmyeyesfromthesheetateachreport，toseethepuffsofsmoketwoorthreemilesoff。TheGermanshavebeenfiringsalvoesoffourshotsoveralittlevillagewheretheFrenchbatteriesarestationed，shrapnelthatburstinlittlepuffsofwhitesmoke;theFrenchreplywithexplosiveshellsthatraisecolumnsofdustovertheGermanlines。
Halfofourregimenthaveleftalreadyforthetrenches。Wemaygotonight。
Wehavemadeamarchofabout75kilometersinfourdays，andarenowonthefront，readytobecalledonatanymoment。Iamfeelingfine，inmyelement，forIhavealwaysthirstedforthiskindofthing，tobepresentalwayswherethepulsationsareliveliest。Everyminutehereisworthweeksofordinaryexperience。Howbeautifultheviewishere，overthesunnyvineyards！Andwhatacuriousanomaly。
Onthisslopethegrapepickersaresingingmerrilyattheirwork，ontheotherthebatteriesareroaring。Boom！Boom！
Thiswillspoiloneforanyotherkindoflife。TheyellowafternoonsunlightisslopinggloriouslyacrossthisbeautifulvalleyofChampagne。
Aeroplanespasscontinuallyoverheadonreconnaissance。Imustmailthisnow。
Thereistoomuchtobesaidandtoolittletimetosayit。
Sogladtogetyourletter。Loveandlotsofittoall。
Alan。
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Alas！thehopesofswift，decisiveactionwithwhichtheLegionadvancedweredestinedtodisappointment。Theysoonsettleddownforthewinterintothemonotonoushardshipsoftrenchwarfare。AlandescribedthisexperienceinadmirablyvividletterspublishedintheNewYork`Sun’，fromwhichafewextractsmustsuffice。HewritesonDecember8，duringhisfourthperiodofserviceinthetrenches：
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Weleftourcampinthewoodsbeforedaybreakthismorning，andmarchedupthehillinsinglefile，underthewinterstars……
Throughopeningsinthewoodswecouldseethatweweremarchingalongahighridge，andoneitherhandvaporousdepthsanddistancesexpanded，thedarknessbrokensometimesbyafarlightorthemomentaryglowofamagnesiumrocketsentupfromtheGermanlines。
Thereissomethingfascinatingifoneisstationedonsentry-dutyimmediatelyafterarrival，inwatchingthedawnslowlyillumineoneofthesenewlandscapes，fromapositiontakenupundercoverofdarkness。
Theothersectionhasbeenrelievedanddeparts。Wearegiventhe`consigne’，bytheprecedingsentinel，andareleftalonebehindamoundofdirt，facingthenorthandtheblank，perilousnight。Slowlythemysterythatitshroudsresolvesasthegreylightstealsovertheeasternhills。
Likeaphotographinthewashing，itshighlightsandshadowscomegraduallyforth。Thelightsplashintheforegroundbecomesaruinedchateau，thegreystreetademolishedvillage。
Thedetailscomeoutonthehillsideopposite，wherethesilenttrenchesoftheenemyarehiddenafewhundredmetresaway。Wefindourselvesinawoody，mountainouscountry，withbroadhorizonsandstreaksofmistinthevalleys。Ourpositionisexcellentthistime，ahighcrest，withopenlandslopingdownfromthetrenchesandplentyofbarbedwirestrungalongimmediatelyinfront。Itwouldbeahardtasktocarrysuchaline，andthereisnotmuchdangerthattheenemywilltry。
Withincreasingdaylightthesentineltakesashelteredposition，andsurveyshisnewenvironmentthroughlittlegapswherethemoundshavebeencrenellatedandcoveredwithbranches。Suddenlyhestartsasametallicbangringsoutfromthewoodsimmediatelybehindhim。
ItisoftheunmistakablevoiceofaFrench75startingtheday’sartilleryduel。Bythetimethesentinelisrelieved，inbroaddaylight，thecannonadeisgeneralallalongtheline。Hesurrendershisposttoacomrade，andcrawlsdownintohisbombproofdugoutalmostreluctantly，forthelongdayofinactivewaitinghascommenced。
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Thoughheneverexpressesevenamomentaryregretforthechoicehehasmade，hefreelyadmitsthattrenchwarfareis\"anythingbutromantic\"。
Fortheartillerymanitis\"doubtlessveryinteresting\"
but\"thepoorcommonsoldier\"hasaprettymeantimeofit：
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Hisruleissimplytodighimselfaholeinthegroundandtokeephiddeninitastightlyaspossible。Continuallyunderthefireoftheopposingbatteries，heisyetneverallowedtogetaglimpseoftheenemy。Exposedtoallthedangersofwar，butwithnoneofitsenthusiasmorsplendidelan，heiscondemnedtositlikeananimalinitsburrow，andheartheshellswhistleoverhishead，andtaketheirlittledailytollfromhiscomrades。
Thewintermorningdawnswithgreyskiesandthehoarfrostonthefields。
Hisfeetarenumb，hiscanteenfrozen，butheisnotallowedtomakeafire。
Thewinternightfalls，withitsprospectofsentry-duty，andthecontinualapprehensionofthehurriedcalltoarms;heisnotevenpermittedtolightacandle，butmustfoldhimselfinhisblanketandliedowncrampedinthedirtystrawtosleepasbesthemay。
Howdifferentfromthepopularnotionoftheeveningcampfire，thesongsandgoodcheer。
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Ofthecommissariatarrangementshegives，onthewhole，averygoodaccount;
butheadmitsthat\"tosupplementtheregularrationswithluxuriessuchasbutter，cheese，preserves，&especiallychocolate，isamatterthatoccupiesmoreoftheyoungsoldier’sthoughtsthantheinvisibleenemy。Ourcorporaltoldustheotherdaythattherewasn’tamaninthesquadthatwouldn’texchangehisrifleforajarofjam。\"But\"thoughmodernwarfareallowsustothinkmoreabouteatingthanfighting，stillwedonotactuallyforgetthatweareinabattleline。\"
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Everoverourheadsgoesonthepreciseandscientificstruggleoftheartillery。Packedelbowtoelbowintheseobscuregalleries，onemightbecontenttosquatalldaylong，auditorofthemagnificentorchestraofbattle，wereitnotthatonebecomessosoonhabituatedtoitthatitisnolongermagnificent。Wehearthevoicesofcannonofallcalibresandatalldistances。Welearntoreadthescore&distinguishtheinstruments。Nearusarefieldbatteries;
farawayaresiegeguns。Overallthereistheunmistakable，sharp，metallictwangoftheFrench75，thewhistleofitsshellandthelesserreportofitsexplosion。
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Andeverynowandthencomestheburstingofashellimmediatelyoverhead，andtherattleofitsfragmentsontheroofofthebomb-proofdug-out。
Thinkwhatitmusthavemeanttothiseager，ardent，pleasure-lovingspirittositout，dayafterday，inachill，sodden，verminoustrench，agrandorchestralconcertofthismusicofhumanmadness！
Thesolitudeofsentry-dutyevidentlycomestohimassomethingofarelief。
\"Itmay，\"hesays，\"beallthatismelancholyifthenightisbadandthewinterwindmoansthroughthepines\";butitalso\"bringsmomentsofexaltation，ifthecloud-banksrollback，ifthemoonlightbreaksoverthewindlesshills，ortheheavensblazewiththebeautyofthenorthernstars。\"
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Thesentinelhasampletimeforreflection。Aloneunderthestars，warinitscosmicratherthanitsmoralaspectrevealsitselftohim……
Hethrillswiththesenseoffillinganappointed，necessaryplaceintheconflictofhosts，and，facingtheenemy’screst，abovewhichtheGreatBearwheelsupwardtothezenith，hefeels，withasublimityofenthusiasmthathehasneverbeforeknown，akindofcompanionshipwiththestars。
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Sixdaysinthetrenchesalternatedwithathreedays’intervalofrest\"eitherbilletedinthestablesandhayloftsofthevillageorencampedinthewoodsandaroundthechateau。\"Thusthewinterof1914-15woreaway，withlittletobreakitsmonotony。Theheaviestfightingwasalltothenorthward。Onegathersfromhispoem\"TheAisne\"
thatatCraonnehetookpartintherepulseofaseriousenemyattack;
butthereisnomentionofthisinthelettersbeforeme。
OnMarch12，1915，hewritestohismotherinfierceindignationoversomethingthathasappearedinanAmericanpaperastolifeintheForeignLegion。Thewriterofthe\"disgracefularticle\"，hesays，\"likemanyothersofhistype，waslongagoeliminatedfromourranks，forapersonbuoyedupbynonoblepurposeisthefirsttosuccumbtothehardshipsofthewinterthatwehavebeenthrough……
Ifhisliesdidnothingworsethanbelittlehiscomrades，whoarehereformotivesthatheisunabletoconceive，itwouldbeonlydishonourable。ButwhenitcomestothrowingdiscreditontheFrenchGovernment，thatinallitstreatmentofushasbeengenerousbeyondanythingthatonewouldthinkpossible，itistooshamefulforanywordstocharacterize。\"
Withthecomingofspring，therewasofcoursesomemitigationofthetrialsofthewinter。Hereisanalmostidyllicpassagefromalettertohissister，writtenonthefly-leavesof`LesConfessionsdeJ。J。Rousseau’，Geneve，MDCCLXXXII：
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Weputinaverypleasantweekhere——ninehoursofguardatnightinouroutpostsuponthehillside;inthedaytimesleep，orforagingintheruinedvillages，loafingintheprettygardenofthechateau，orreadingupinthelibrary。Wehavecleanedthisupnow，anditisanaltogethercurioussensationtoreclinehereinaneasy-chair，readingsomefineoldbook，andjusttakingtheprecautionnottostayinfrontoftheglasslesswindowsthroughwhichthesharpshooterscansnipeatyoufromtheirpostsinthethicketsontheslopesoftheplateau，notsixhundredmetresaway。
Sometimesourartilleryopensupandthenyoulaydownyourbookforawhile，and，lookingthroughapeek-hole，watchthe75’sand120’sthrowupfountainsofdirtanddebrisallalongthelineoftheenemy’strenches。
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\"Springhascomehereatlast，\"sothelettercloses，\"andwearehavingbeautifulweather。IamgoinginswimmingintheAisnethisafternoonforthefirsttime。Infinehealthandspirits。\"
Duringthesummer，theLegionwasmovedaboutagooddealfromsectortosector，andAlanoftenfoundhimselfinpleasantplaces，andgotagooddealofpositiveenjoymentoutofhislife。
OnJune18，1915，hewrotetohismother：
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Youmustnotbeanxiousaboutmynotcomingback。ThechancesareabouttentoonethatIwill。ButifIshouldnot，youmustbeproud，likeaSpartanmother，andfeelthatitisyourcontributiontothetriumphofthecausewhoserighteousnessyoufeelsokeenly。
Everybodyshouldtakepartinthisstrugglewhichistohavesodecisiveaneffect，notonlyonthenationsengagedbutonallhumanity。
Thereshouldbenoneutrals，buteveryoneshouldbearsomepartoftheburden。
Ifsolargeapartshouldfalltoyourshare，youwouldbeinsofarsuperiortootherwomenandshouldbecorrespondinglyproud。
Therewouldbenothingtoregret，forIcouldnothavedoneotherwisethanIdid，andIthinkIcouldnothavedonebetter。
Deathisnothingterribleafterall。Itmaymeansomethingevenmorewonderfulthanlife。Itcannotpossiblymeananythingworsetothegoodsoldier。
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Thesamenoterecursinaletteroftwoweekslater（July3）：
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WhetherIamonthewinningorlosingsideisnotthepointwithme：
itisbeingonthesidewheremysympathiesliethatmatters，andIamreadytoseeitthroughtotheend。Successinlifemeansdoingthatthingthanwhichnothingelseconceivableseemsmorenobleorsatisfyingorremunerative，andthisenviablestateIcantrulysaythatIenjoy，forhadIthechoiceIwouldbenowhereelseintheworldthanwhereIam。
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InthisletterhesaysthatanarticleaboutRupertBrookeinwhichhisnamewasmentioned\"gavehimrathermorepainthanpleasure，foritrubbedinthematterwhichmostrankledinhisheart，thathenevercouldgethisbookofpoemspublishedbeforethewar。\"
HoweverheconsoleshimselfwiththereflectionthattheM。S。
isprobablyassafeatBrugesasanywhereelse。\"Wehavefinishedoureighthmonthonthefiringline，\"hesays，\"andrumorsaregoingroundofanimminentreturntotherearforreorganization。\"
Theserumorsprovedtobewellfounded，andonJuly17，hewroteonapicture-postcardrepresentingtheLionofBelfort：
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Wehavefinallycometotherearforalittlerestandreorganization，andarecantonedinavalleynotfarfromBelfort，intheextremeeastofFrance，veryneartheSwissfrontier。SinceIwroteyoulast，alltheAmericansintheregimentreceived48hourspermissioninParis，anditwasagreathappinesstogetbackevenforsoshortawhileandtoseeagainoldscenesandfacesafteralmostayear’sabsence。
Weshallbehereseveralweeksperhaps。
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Threeweekslater（August8）hewrotetohismother：
==……Ihavealwayshadthepassiontoplaythebiggestpartwithinmyreach，anditisreallyinasenseasupremesuccesstobeallowedtoplaythis。
IfIdonotcomeout，Iwillsharethegoodfortuneofthosewhodisappearatthepinnacleoftheircareers。CometoloveFranceandunderstandthealmostunexamplednobilityoftheeffortthisadmirablepeopleismaking，forthatwillbethesurestwayofyourfindingcomfortforanythingthatIamreadytosufferintheircause。
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Thespellofrestlastedsometwomonths，andthentheLegionreturnedtothefrontintimeforthebattleinChampagne\"inwhich\"hewrites\"wetookpartfromthebeginning，themorningofthememorable25th。September。\"Icannotresistquotingatsomelengthfromtheadmirablyvividletterinwhichhegaveanaccountofthisexperience：
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Thepartweplayedinthebattleisbrieflyasfollows。
Webrokecampabout11o’clockthenightofthe24th，andmarchedupthroughruinedSouaintoourplaceinoneofthenumerous`boyaux’
wherethe`troupesd’attaque’weremassed。Thecannonadewasprettyviolentallthatnight，asithadbeenforseveraldaysprevious，buttowarddawnitreachedanintensityunimaginabletoanyonewhohasnotseenamodernbattle。Alittlebefore9。15thefirelessenedsuddenly，andthecrackleofthefusilladebetweenthereportsofthecannontoldusthatthefirstwaveofassaulthadleftandtheattackbegun。
Atthesametimewereceivedtheordertoadvance。TheGermanartilleryhadnowbeguntoopenuponusinearnest。Amidthemostinfernalroarofeverykindoffire-arms，andthroughanatmosphereheavywithdustandsmoke，wemarchedupthroughthe`boyaux’tothe`trancheesdedepart’。
Atshallowplacesandoverbreachesthatshellshadmadeinthebank，wecaughtmomentaryglimpsesofthebluelinessweepingupthehillsideorsilhouettedonthecrestwheretheypouredintotheGermantrenches。
WhenthelastwaveoftheColonialbrigadehadleft，wefollowed。
`Bayonetteaucanon’，inlinesof`tirailleurs’，wecrossedtheopenspacebetweenthelines，overthebarbedwire，wherenotsomanyofourmenwerelyingasIhadfeared，（thankstotheefficacyofthebombardment）andovertheGermantrench，knockedtopiecesandfilledwiththeirdead。Insomeplacestheystillresistedinisolatedgroups。Oppositeus，allwasover，andtheherdsofprisonerswerebeingalreadyleddownaswewentup。
Wecheered，moreintriumphthaninhate;butthepoordevils，terror-stricken，helduptheirhands，beggedfortheirlives，cried\"Kamerad\"，\"BonFrancais\"，even\"VivelaFrance\"。
Weadvancedandlaydownincolumnsbytwosbehindthesecondcrest。
Meanwhile，bridgeshadbeenthrownacrosstrenchesand`boyaux’，andtheartillery，leavingtheemplacementswheretheyhadbeenanchoredawholeyear，cameacrossandtookpositionintheopen，amagnificentspectacle。Squadronsofcavalrycameup。
