To Lucasta On Going To The War - For The Fourth Time
Robert Graves
It doesnt matter whats the cause,
What wrong they say were righting,
A curse for treaties, bonds and laws,
When were to do the fighting!
And since we lads are proud and true,
What else remains to do?
Lucasta, when to France your man
Returns his fourth time, hating war,
Yet laughs as calmly as he can
And flings an oath, but says no more,
That is not courage, thats not fear
Lucasta hes a Fusilier,
And his pride sends him here.
Let statesmen bluster, bark and bray,
And so decide who started
This bloody war, and whos to pay,
But he must be stout-hearted,
Must sit and stake with quiet breath,
Playing at cards with Death.
Dont plume yourself he fights for you;
It is no courage, love, or hate,
But let us do the things we do;
Its pride that makes the heart be great;
It is not anger, no, nor fear
Lucasta hes a Fusilier,
And his pride keeps him here.
