- Achilles in the Trench by Patrick Shaw-Stewart
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- "I saw a man this morning / Who did not wish to die; / I ask, and cannot answer, / If otherwise wish I. // Fair broke the day this morning / Upon the Dardanelles: / The breeze blew soft, the morn's cheeks / Were cold as cold sea-shells. // But other shells are waiting / Across the Aegean Sea; / Shrapnel and high explosives, / Shells and hells for me. // Oh Hell of ships and cities, / Hell of men like me, / Fatal second Helen, / Why must I follow thee? // Achilles came to Troyland / And I to Chersonese; / He turned from wrath to battle, / And I from three days' peace. // Was it so hard, Achilles, / So very hard to die? / Thou knowest, and I know not; / So much the happier am I. // I will go back this morning / From Imbros o'er the sea. / Stand in the trench, Achilles, / Flame-capped, and shout for me."
oct 16 2022 ∞
oct 16 2022 +