Picture Show (Sassoon collection)/I stood with the Dead
I STOOD WITH THE DEAD
I stood with the Dead, so forsaken and still:When dawn was grey I stood with the Dead.And my slow heart said, 'You must kill, you must kill:'Soldier, soldier, morning is red.'
On the shapes of the slain in their crumpled disgraceI stared for a while through the thin cold rain....'O lad that I loved, there is rain on your face,'And your eyes are blurred and sick like the plain.'
I stood with the Dead....They were dead; they were dead;My heart and my head beat a march of dismay:And gusts of the wind came dulled by the guns.'Fall in!' I shouted; 'Fall in for your pay!'