Tim Romano wrote:

> Dan,
> I'm firmly in the camp that considers this section of the poem to be a kind
> of self-chastisement, yet with the self-appraisal being not entirely
> negative but counter-balanced with a sense that the intention and the
> artistic endeavor have been  worthy.
>
>         Learn of the green world what can be thy place
>         In scaled invention or true artistry...
>
> When has the army ever been interested in _true artistry_?  And how does one
> fit "Paquin" (the Parisian dress designer) into the ant-as-myrmidon reading?
>
>         Pull down thy vanity,
>                                          Paquin pull down!
>         The green casque has outdone your elegance.
>
> When has the army ever been interested in the concept of _elegance_ except
> perhaps with regard to the efficient lethalness of a new weapon?

Could "the green casque" be a GI's helmet?

--
Stephen Adams
Department of English
University of Western Ontario
London, Canada  N6A-3K7
(519)-434-7519