Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OFTEN WHEN WARRING, by THOMAS HARDY


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OFTEN WHEN WARRING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Often when warring for he wist not what
Last Line: And war's apology wholly stultified.
Subject(s): World War I; First World War


OFTEN when warring for he wist not what,
An enemy-soldier, passing by one weak,
Has tendered water, wiped the burning cheek,
And cooled the lips so black and clammed and hot;

Then gone his way, and maybe quite forgot
The deed of grace amid the roar and reek;
Yet larger vision than loud arms bespeak
He there has reached, although he has known it not

For natural mindsight, triumphing in the act
Over the throes of artificial rage,
Has thuswise muffled victory's peal of pride,
Rended to ribands policy's specious page
That deals but with evasion, code, and pact,
And war's apology wholly stultified.






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