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The General

Sassoon, Siegfried (1886 - 1967)

Original Text: 
The War Poems of Siegfried Sassoon (London: William Heinemann, 1919): 50.
1"Good-morning; good-morning!" the General said
2When we met him last week on our way to the Line,
3Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of 'em dead,
4And we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine.
5"He's a cheery old card," grunted Harry to Jack
6As they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.
               * * * * *
7But he did for them both by his plan of attack.

Notes

2] Line: front line. Back to Line
5] card: character, eccentric fellow. Back to Line
6] Arras: city in northern France, the site of continuous battles in World War I. Back to Line
Publication Start Year: 
1918
Publication Notes: 
Counter-attack
RPO poem Editors: 
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition: 
2011
Rhyme: 
ababccc
Form: 
septet
Special Copyright: 

Out of copyright in the United States only.