III - History
There is a bullet fired you cannot dodge, proximity notwithstanding. Jaromir Hladik is brought into the courtyard, and, after a cigarette with which to pass the time, stands before his firing squad. Like a macabre photographer they ask him to adjust his disposition with regard to the wall behind him. His bullets might be allowed to bury themselves there, but his blood may not stain it. And yet, there is a space of time, perhaps even a complete year, before the volley is fired. In some ways, this is a Vindication of Eternity, that time was allotted to complete his drama in verse, The Enemies.