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1918
“THIS is the State above the Law. | |
| The State exists for the State alone.” | |
| [This is a gland at the back of the jaw, | |
| And an answering lump by the collar-bone.] | |
| |
| Some die shouting in gas or fire; | 5 |
| Some die silent, by shell and shot. | |
| Some die desperate, caught on the wire; | |
| Some die suddenly. This will not. | |
| |
| “Regis suprema voluntas Lex” | |
| [It will follow the regular course of—throats.] | 10 |
| Some die pinned by the broken decks, | |
| Some die sobbing between the boats. | |
| |
| Some die eloquent, pressed to death | |
| By the sliding trench as their friends can hear. | |
| Some die wholly in half a breath. | 15 |
| Some—give trouble for half a year. | |
| |
| “There is neither Evil nor Good in life | |
| Except as the needs of the State ordain.” | |
| [Since it is rather too late for the knife, | |
| All we can do is to mask the pain.] | 20 |
| |
| Some die saintly in faith and hope— | |
| One died thus in a prison-yard— | |
| Some die broken by rape or the rope; | |
| Some die easily. This dies hard. | |
| |
| “I will dash to pieces who bar my way. | 25 |
| Woe to the traitor! Woe to the weak!” | |
| [Let him write what he wishes to say. | |
| It tires him out if he tries to speak.] | |
| |
| Some die quietly. Some abound | |
| In loud self-pity. Others spread | 30 |
| Bad morale through the cots around … | |
| This is a type that is better dead. | |
| |
| “The war was forced on me by my foes. | |
| All that I sought was the right to live.” | |
| [Don’t be afraid of a triple dose; | 35 |
| The pain will neutralize half we give. | |
| |
| Here are the needles. See that he dies | |
| While the effects of the drug endure…. | |
| What is the question he asks with his eyes?— | |
| Yes, All-Highest, to God, be sure.] | 40 |
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