Anthem for Doomed Youth
By
, and
Transcription, correction, editorial commentary, and markup by Students and Staff of the University of Virginia
Title Page
POEMS
BY WILFRED OWEN
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
SIEGFRIED SASSOON
LONDON
CHATTO & WINDUS
1920 11 ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH 1WHAT passing-bells for these who die as cattle? 2Only the monstrous anger of the guns. 3Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle 4Can patter out their hasty orisons. 5No mockeries for them; no prayers nor bells, 6Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,— 7The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; 8And bugles calling for them from sad shires. 9What candles may be held to speed them all? 10Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes 11Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes. 12The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; 13Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, 14And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
BY WILFRED OWEN
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
SIEGFRIED SASSOON
LONDON
CHATTO & WINDUS
1920 11 ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH 1WHAT passing-bells for these who die as cattle? 2Only the monstrous anger of the guns. 3Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle 4Can patter out their hasty orisons. 5No mockeries for them; no prayers nor bells, 6Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,— 7The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; 8And bugles calling for them from sad shires. 9What candles may be held to speed them all? 10Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes 11Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes. 12The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; 13Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, 14And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.