Boggs, I hope you don't mind, but I came across this little piece of Olde Englishe poetry and thought it would make a good introduction.
To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars
Richard Lovelace
Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of
thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly.
True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And
with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.
Yet this inconstancy is such
As you, too, shall adore;
I
could nto love thee, dear, so much,
Loved I not honor more.
2 Febuary, 1998
Dearest Marie,
As I press this pen to paper my thoughts go to you and the baby. Please do not let a day go by that you do not tell my sweet Emily how much her daddy loves her. I truely miss not being by your side as she takes her first steps and speaks her first words. I envy this slip of paper for I know that soon it will feel the trembling touch of your fingers, a touch that I long for so deeply. Although duty calls and I am pulled far from my hearth and my home, my thoughts, my tender thoughts dear Marie, are with you.
The first few days at base have been very exciting and eventful. Among the new recruits stationed here are Zach and Tommy from back home along with a few of the fellows that we became chums with in training. We all bunk together and we are having a jolly time. You would be so proud of us as we march past the review stand in our freshly issued uniforms, stepping smartly to the music as our flag, our precious flag that we are sworn to protect, waves gallantly overhead.
The action has been light and fast paced. Zach and I have been assigned to sniper duty and so far we have discharged our duties with distinction. If I may say so, my marksmanship has been very keen and I have been more than a match for our older riflemen. The enemy has not been much of a threat with the sniper corps neutralizing the bulk of them at long range. What few made it to our base were swiftly dispatched as they entered. Any offensive skirmish they pitted against us was easily parried and thwarted. I understand from the Sargent that our pit defense crew is one of the best and that our soldiers are some of the most battle hardened of this whole campaign. A more formidable and well-prepared force than us I cannot imagine.
Tommy and the twins have elected soldier duty. They regale us at mess with hair-raising stories of their sorties into enemy territory and of hand to hand combat. We laugh and lift our ales at each account, each one more adventurous than the last. On the battlement, my breast fills with pride and admiration as I watch them leap down to the field screaming their blood curdling war cry as they charge off to another capture. The enemy parts in their wake as they slash their way into the fray. Sometimes I long to join them as the tales glory are so thrilling and inviting. But I prefer the solitary and surgical combat of the sniper.
Yesterday on the parapet, the Sargent and I took turns popping off the opposing snipers. He is a cracker jack shot and I made a little game of it. I kept count of the number of hits and misses and keep a running total in my head. It was fairly even that day but I dare say I edged him put by a few scores. We would share a cigarette between shots and he would tell me his stories of the campaign. To say that he was disinterested in that competition would be putting it mildly. Perhaps he is threatened by the rise in my skill? When pressed he would only say that we have been engaging public forces and that the real action is still to come.
Rumors of the upcoming engagements drift around camp. Whispers of massing and movement among the clans of GT, OSKI, >V< and the others of legend. We are not the least bit concerned for certainly we are more that a match for any of them. Our belief is that the reports of their skill are deliberately exaggerated in order to keep us on our toes and to prevent us from being lax in our training. Boogey men to keep the schoolboys in check. None of that is needed for we are at our zenith. My chums surround me and our spirits are high. My laser sight has a magical quality that seems to seek out the foe and I have been invincible. I assure you Marie that nary a soul will ever touch our beloved flag in anger.
Tonight the Sargent is quiet and solemn as he sits with the other staff, smoking in the darkness. We were put off duty early and extra rations were ordered for evening meal. The belief is that tomorrow will be our biggest test so far and I must tell you that we all are chaffing at the bit.
I must leave you now dear Marie for taps has been blown and I must retire in anticipation of a big day of adventure and glory. I long for you my sweet and look to the day when we are reunited. For now I will do you proud in battle. Tomorrow we fight. For honor, for truth, for the flag.
Love,
Walter