Lest we forget

It's a few days late for Rememberance Day, but I just stumbled on a post by my friend, thecatsamuel in which she transcribed this poem, and I thought I'd share it further with my flist since I think it's really touching and good.

It's written by Patrick Shaw-Stewart, a young classics scholar who died in France in 1917. he wrote it while serving in the Dardanelles.


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
Against 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 explosive,
Shells and hells for me.

O 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 knewest and I know not-
So much the happier I.

I will go back this morning
From Imbros over the sea ;
Stand in the trench, Achilles,
Flame-capped, and shout for me.