Top 8 Quotes & Sayings by Alan Seeger

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American poet Alan Seeger.

Last updated on September 18, 2024.

Alan Seeger was an American war poet who fought and died in World War I during the Battle of the Somme, serving in the French Foreign Legion. Seeger was the brother of Charles Seeger, a noted American pacifist and musicologist and the uncle of folk musicians, Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Mike Seeger. He is best known for the poem "I Have a Rendezvous with Death", a favorite of President John F. Kennedy. A statue representing him is on the monument in the Place des États-Unis, Paris, honoring fallen Americans who volunteered for France during the war. Seeger is sometimes called the "American Rupert Brooke".

American - Poet | June 22, 1888 - July 4, 1916

Source: Wikipedia

There was a stately drama writ By the hand that peopled the earth and air, And set the stars in the infinite, And made night gorgeous and morning fair; And all that had sense to reason knew That bloody drama must be gone through. Some sat and watched how the action veered-- Waited, profited, trembled, cheered-- We saw not clearly nor understood, But yielding ourselves to the masterhand, Each in his part as best he could, We played it through as the author planned.

Alan Seeger

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.

Alan Seeger

Spirit of Beauty, whose sweet impulses, flung like rose of dawn across the sea, alone can flush the exalted consciousness with shafts of sensible divinity-light of the world, essential loveliness.

Alan Seeger

At Earth's great market where Joy is trafficked in, Buy while thy purse yet swells with golden Youth.

Alan Seeger

Oft as by chance, a little while apart The pall of empty, loveless hours withdrawn, Sweet Beauty, opening on the impoverished heart, Beams like a jewel on the breast of dawn.

Alan Seeger

So die as though your funeral Ushered you through the doors that led Into a stately banquet hall Where heroes banqueted.

Alan Seeger

I have a rendezvous with death... I will not fail that rendezvous

Alan Seeger

From a boy I gloated on existence. Earth to me Seemed all-sufficient and my sojourn there One trembling opportunity for joy.

Alan Seeger