Poems by Alan Seeger, 1916 first edition, Charles Scribner's Sons.

Written by Alan Seeger. Introduction by William Archer. First edition, 1916. Charles Scribner's Sons.

Paris

"First, London, for its myriads; for its height,
Manhattan heaped in towering stalagmite;
But Paris for the smoothness of the paths
That lead the heart unto heart's delight....

"Fair loiterer on the threshold of those days
When there's no lovelier prize the world displays
Thanks, having beauty and your twenty years,
You have the means to conquer and the ways.

"And coming where the crossroads separate
And down each vista glories and wonders wait,
Crowning each path with pinnacles so fair
You know not which to choose, and hesitate -

"Oh, go to Paris... "

Alan Seeger (1888 - 1916) was an American poet whose work is remembered for capturing the tragic spirit of World War I. Seeger's life, though brief, was marked by his dedication to poetry and fateful allegiance to France during the Great War. He attended Harvard University, where he was a classmate of T.S. Eliot, and graduated in 1910. His poetic journey was deeply intertwined with his service in the French Foreign Legion, where he fought valiantly until his death on July 4, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. His legacy includes the iconic poem "I Have a Rendezvous with Death," which was admired by President John F. Kennedy and remains a testament to Seeger's talent and his ultimate sacrifice. Seeger's family was notable as well, with his brother Charles being a prominent musicologist and his nephew Pete Seeger becoming a legendary folk musician.

A previous owner handwrote the poem "In Flanders Field" by Lieut. Colonel John McCrae on the front fly leaf, and pasted a printed copy on the page, partially concealing some of the writing. A subsequent owner wondered, Was the poem on the fly leaf written and signed by the same John McCrae or did the previous owner whose name is written above it simply copy the poem and author's name? A letter from a friend, who helped solve the mystery, is enclosed for the next owner.

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Condition: Very Good. Lacks dust jacket, as issued. Dark brown cloth cover boards with gilt title and decoration: Spine cover is a little loose, which in turn has loosened the first signature of introductory pages; small faint dampstain in the lower left of the front cover; small area scuffed on the back cover; light wear along the edges; corners are bumped; spine is bumped at the head and tail, with a small scuff near the head. Pages are clean, undamaged, and complete.