Dear John,
Crib or not, my view is that this was a straightforward statement of pity
for the death, and the manner of death, of those whose fear was so
great that it became too obvious, the key words being 'which being known',
since almost every soldier repeatedly experiences fear in battle but masters it
to some extent.
This is in contrast to other Epitaphs in which he represents the
dead as specifically rejecting pity, such as 'Ex Clerk' and 'The Refined
Man'.
I do not think that any personal guilt that he might have felt for the
death of his son played any part in the brief lines, rather that the
pity he felt extended to the parents of the 'coward', since they could not feel,
as Kipling did, that " - lots of people are in our position and it's something
to have bred a man" [letter 12 Nov 1915 to Col LC Dunsterville (Stalky). See
Letters, Vol 4, Thomas Pinney, Macmillan, 1999]
Yours,
Roger
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 11:35
AM
Subject: Fw: Rudyard Kipling: "The
Coward"
Has anyone any thoughts which might
be helpful to Mr Putkowski
?
Good wishes yo all,
John R
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 10:37 AM
Subject: RE: Rudyard Kipling: "The Coward"
Dear John Radcliffe,
Very many thanks for your speedy response to my enquiry. Hibberd and Onions ('The Winter Of the World') state
Kipling started writing 'Epitaphs of the War' in April 1918, which he declared
to be 'naked cribs of the Greek Anthology'. Knowing little about Kipling, I'm
curious about whether "The Coward" was a more-or-less straightforward crib or
was perhaps ignited by more immediate political discourse about British
military executions. Though not myself seduced by the introspective aspect of
"The Coward", a literary chum with whom I once discussed the verse dallied
with the intriguing proposition that Kipling (burdened with guilt about the
death of his son) may even have identified himself with the condemned
man.
Best Wishes,
Julian
Julian Putkowski
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[log in to unmask]Subject: Re: Rudyard Kipling: "The
Coward"
Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:34:37 +0000
Dear Mr Putkowski
"The Coward" is one of Kipling's
"Epitaphs of the War", which was collected in "The Years Between" in
1919. You will find the full set on our web-site at www.kipling.org.uk.
These had previously appeared in various periodicals, and I do not have the
details of these to hand at the moment.
I am copying this note to colleagues
who may be able to help you further.
All good wishes,
John
Radcliffe
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 8:49
AM
Subject: Rudyard Kipling: "The
Coward"
Dear John Radcliffe,
I am presently engaged in a research project about the contrasting
reactions to the execution of British soldiers during the First World War.
Kipling's addressed the subject in his poem, "The Coward" but I have been
unable to find out exactly when and where he may have composed the verse. I
would be most grateful if you or another authority on Kipling's work know
when and how "The Coward" came to be written.
Yours sincerely,
Julian Putkowski