My old used-book store Collected (as I mentioned, I don't have access to a library here, so have to make do with my own inadequate collection), is edited with an intro & notes by C. Day Lewis (and includes a Memoir by Edmund Blunden). It has a pretty extensive apparatus criticus, with alternate readings, etc. And I find the early versions very fascinating.
This entire poem is given as a footnote, as being an earlier version of "S.I.W." (self-inflicted wound). I almost prefer this--particularly the ending (Or at least it seems strong enough for a separate poem. Perhaps the Stallworthy gives it as such? I should check out on the web site, which uses the Stallworthy edition):
He Died Smiling:
Patting goodbye, his father said, "My lad,
You'll always show the Hun a brave man's face.
I'd rather you were dead than in disgrace.
We're proud to see you going, Jim, we're glad."
His mother whimpered, "Jim, my boy, I frets
Until ye git a nice safe sound, I do."
His sister said: why couldn't they go too.
His brothers said they'd send him cigarettes.
For three years, once a week, they wrote the same,
Adding, "We hope you use the Y.M. Hut."
And once a day came twenty Navy Cut.
And once an hour a bullet missed its aim.
And misses teased the hunger of his brain.
His eyes grew scorched with wincing, and his hand
Reckless with ague. Courage leaked, like sand
From sandbags that have stood three years of rain.
P.S. Caleb--what's your favorite line, now a footnote?
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