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Friday, 31 December 2010

pro patria, non dulce non et decor

This has been on my mind a lot lately for some reason. Especially the lines 'home to old lies and new infamy' and 'liars in public places.' Sometimes my mind gets stuck on an idea or a line or word like a broken record, popping up at random moments...

IV.

THESE fought, in any case, and some believing, pro domo, in any case . Some quick to arm, some for adventure, some from fear of weakness, some from fear of censure, some for love of slaughter, in imagination, learning later . . .

some in fear, learning love of slaughter; Died some "pro patria, non dulce non et decor". .

walked eye-deep in hell believing in old men's lies, then unbelieving came home, home to a lie, home to many deceits, home to old lies and new infamy;

usury age-old and age-thick and liars in public places.

Daring as never before, wastage as never before.
Young blood and high blood,
Fair cheeks, and fine bodies;
fortitude as never before

frankness as never before, disillusions as never told in the old days,
hysterias, trench confessions, laughter out of dead bellies.

- Pound, 'Hugh Selwyn Mauberley'

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