I, too, saw God through mud —— The mud that cracked on cheeks when wretches² smiled. War brought more glory to their eyes than blood, And gave their laughs more glee than shakes a child.

    Merry it was to laugh there —— Where death becomes absurd and life absurder. For power was on us as we slashed³ bones bare Not to feel sickness or remorse⁴ of murder.

    I, too, have dropped off fear —— Behind the barrage⁵, dead as my platoon, And sailed my spirit surging, light and clear Past the entanglement⁶ where hopes lay strewn；

    And witnessed exultation⁷ —— Faces that used to curse me, scowl⁸ for scowl, Shine and lift up with passion of oblation⁹, Seraphic for an hour； though they were foul¹⁰.

    I have made fellowships ——Untold of happy lovers in old song. For love is not the binding¹¹ of fair lips With the soft silk of eyes that look and long,

    By Joy, whose ribbon slips, —— But wound with war's hard wire whose stakes are strong； Bound with the bandage of the arm that drips； Knit in the welding of the rifle-thong.

    I have perceived much beauty In the hoarse¹² oaths that kept our courage straight； Heard music in the silentness of duty； Found peace where shell-storms spouted¹³ reddest spate¹⁴.

    Nevertheless, except you share With them in hell the sorrowful dark of hell, Whose world is but the trembling of a flare¹⁵, And heaven but as the highway for a shell,

    You shall not hear their mirth： You shall not come to think them well content By any jest of mine. These men are worth Your tears： You are not worth their merriment