<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">I Have a Rendezvous with Death...</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">I <span class="smallcaps">have</span> a rendezvous with Death</p><p class="line">At some disputed barricade,</p><p class="line">When Spring comes back with rustling shade</p><p class="line">And apple-blossoms fill the air --</p><p class="line">I have a rendezvous with Death</p><p class="line">When Spring brings back blue days and fair.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">It may be he shall take my hand</p><p class="line">And lead me into his dark land</p><p class="line">And close my eyes and quench my breath --</p><p class="line">It may be I shall pass him still.</p><p class="line">I have a rendezvous with Death</p><p class="line">On some scarred slope of battered hill,</p><p class="line">When Spring comes round again this year</p><p class="line">And the first meadow-flowers appear.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">God knows 't were better to be deep</p><p class="line">Pillowed in silk and scented down,</p><p class="line">Where love throbs out in blissful sleep,</p><p class="line">Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,</p><p class="line">Where hushed awakenings are dear...</p><p class="line">But I've a rendezvous with Death</p><p class="line">At midnight in some flaming town,</p><p class="line">When Spring trips north again this year,</p><p class="line">And I to my pledged word am true,</p><p class="line">I shall not fail that rendezvous.</p></div><p class="byline">Alan Seeger</p></body></html> · Great War