Like Brooke, a victim of the Hun, so Seeger, also a victim of the barbarian, seemed to feel the constant presence of Death, an unseen guest at the Feast of Youth and Joy and Fame and Love. Perhaps the war made these two imaginative poets think of Death sooner than Youth usually gives him heed. But most men will think of Death when they are face to face with the shadow day and night as were these soldier-crusading poets; when they see him stalking in every trench, in every wood, on every hill and road, and in every field and village. But how bravely he spoke of Death!-- "Learn to drive fear, then, from your heart. If you must perish, know, O man, 'Tis an inevitable part Of the predestined plan." Poems by Alan Seeger. And again in this same poem, "Makatooh," he sings of Death: "Guard that, not bowed nor blanched with fear You enter, but serene, erect, As you would wish most to appear To those you most respect. "So die, as though your funeral Ushered you through the doors that led Into a stately banquet hall Where heroes banqueted; "And it shall all depend therein Whether you come as slave or lord, If they acclaim you as their kin Or spurn you from their board." Poems by Alan Seeger. What a challenge this is to all who must die in this war, to all lads who are giving their lives heroically in God's great cause of liberty in his world--this challenge to die so that you may be welcomed into the fraternity of heroes! Without doubt Seeger's best-known poem, and one which illustrates also most strongly his attitude toward Death, is that poem entitled "I Have a Rendezvous With Death," from which we quote: "I have a rendezvous with Death At some disputed barricade; When Spring comes back with rustling shade And apple blossoms fill the air-- I have a rendezvous with Death When Spring brings back blue days and fair. * * * * * "God knows, 'twere better to be deep Pillowed in silk and scented down, Where Love throbs out in blissful sleep, Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath, Where hushed awakenings are dear,... But I've a rendezvous with Death At midnight in some flaming town; When Spring trips north again this year, And I to my pledged word am true, I shall not fail that rendezvous." Poems by Alan Seeger. THE SONG OF GOD From the lighter thoughts of Youth, Joy, Fame, Beauty, through the "long, long thoughts of Youth"; through Love and Death it is not a long way to climb to God. We would not expect this young poet to be thinking much in this direction, but he does just the same. I have even found those who say that he was not a God-man, but these poems refute that slander on a dead man and poet. I find him singing in "The Nympholept":