Prose & Poetry - The Muse in Arms - To C.A.L.
Updated - Saturday, 17 May, 2003

First published in London in November 1917 and reprinted in February 1918 The Muse in Arms comprised, in the words of editor E. B. Osborne:

"A collection of war poems, for the most part written in the field of action, by seamen, soldiers, and flying men who are serving, or have served, in the Great War".

Below is one of nine poems featured within In Memoriam section of the collection.  You can access other poems within the section via the sidebar to the right.

To C.A.L.
(The Hon. Charles Lister)
by C.A.A.

To have laughed and talked - wise, witty, fantastic, feckless -
To have mocked at rules and rulers and learnt to obey,
To have led your men with a daring adored and reckless,
To have struck your blow for Freedom, the old straight way:

To have hated the world and lived among those who love it,
To have thought great thoughts and lived till you knew them true,
To have loved men more than yourself and have died to prove it -
Yes, Charles, this is to have lived: was there more to do?
 

The "Blue Max" was a reference to the prestigious German Pour le Merite medal.

Original Material © Michael Duffy 2000-07, SafeSurf Rated