Andre Chenier climbed up the scaffolding.
I live - and this is the great sin I've done.
There are times hard as iron for everyone.
And midst gunpowder, who's the bard who'd sing?

And, tell me, at the gate what father can
Tremblingly tear the armor off his son?
There are times when the sun's a sin for one.
In such days he who lives is not a man.

4 April 1918