Una delle liriche più famose dei War Poets britannici è ispirata all’Iliade e ad Achille. Patrick Shaw-Stewart (1888 – 1917), I saw a man this morning
I saw a man this morning
Who did not wish to die:
I ask and cannot answer,
If otherwise wish I.
Fair broke the day this morning
Against the Dardanelles;
The breeze blew soft, the morn’s cheeks
Were cold as cold sea-shells.
But other shells are waiting
Across the Aegean Sea,
Shrapnel and high explosive,
Shells and hells for me.
O hell of ships and cities,
Hell of men like me,
Fatal second Helen,
Why must I follow thee?
Achilles came to Troyland
And I to Chersonese:
He turned from wrath to battle,
And I from three days’ peace.
Was it so hard, Achilles,
So very hard to die?
Thou knewest, and I know not —
So much the happier I.
I will go back this morning
From Imbros over the sea;
Stand in the trench, Achilles,
Flame-capped, and shout for me.
LETTURA in lingua inglese. CLICCA QUI.
Alla lettura e alla ricezione dei classici nella poesia e nella cultura inglese degli anni della Grande Guerra Elizabeth Vandiver ha dedicato il saggio Stand in the trench, Achilles!
