IV
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These fought, in any case, |
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and some believing, pro domo, in any case . . . |
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Some quick to arm; |
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some for adventure, |
65 |
some from fear of weakness, |
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some from fear of censure, |
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some for love of slaughter, in imagination, |
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learning later . . . |
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some in fear, learning love of slaughter; |
70 |
Died some, pro patria, |
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non "dulce" non "et decor". . .
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walked eye-deep in hell |
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believing in old men's lies, then unbelieving |
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came home, home to a lie, |
75 |
home to many deceits, |
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home to old lies and new infamy; |
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usury age-old and age-thick |
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and liars in public places. |
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Daring as never before, wastage as never before. |
80 |
Young blood and high blood, |
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fair cheeks, and fine bodies; |
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fortitude as never before |
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frankness as never before, |
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disillusions as never told in the old days, |
85 |
hysterias, trench confessions, |
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laughter out of dead belies. |
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