‘These fought in any case’ from Hugh Selwyn Mauberley Ezra Pound 4 These fought in any case, and some believing, pro domo, in any case ... Some quick to arm, some for adventure, 5 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; 10 Died some, pro patria, non ‘dulce’ non ‘et décor’ … walked eye-deep in hell believing in old men’s lies, then unbelieving came home, home to a lie, 15 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. 20 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, 25 hysterias, trench confessions, laughter out of dead bellies. 5 There died a myriad, And of the best, among them, For an old bitch gone in the teeth, 30 For a botched civilization, Charm, smiling at the good mouth, Quick eyes gone under earth’s lid, For two gross of broken statues, For a few thousand battered books. 35

These fought anyway, and some believing, for their own sake, anyway... Some quick to arm, some for adventure, some from fear of being weak, some from fear of criticism, some for love of killing, in imagination, learning later... some in fear, learning love of killing; Some died for their country, not 'sweet' not 'and fitting'... walked deeply in hell believing in old men's lies, then disbelieving came home, home to a lie, home to many deceits, home to old lies and new disgrace; financial exploitation age-old and thick and liars in public places. Daring as never before, waste as never before. Young blood and noble blood, beautiful faces, and fine bodies; courage as never before honesty as never before, disappointments as never told in the old days, hysterias, trench confessions, laughter from dead bodies. Many died, and of the best, among them, For an old dog with bad teeth, For a ruined civilization, Charm, smiling at the good mouth, Quick eyes gone under the earth, For two dozen broken statues, For a few thousand damaged books.