SOURCE: "Manifesto," in Wyndham Lewis on Art: Collected Writings, 1913-1956, Funk & Wagnalls, 1969, pp. 27-31

The following piece was the second manifesto published in the first issue of Blast and appeared above the signature of Lewis, Pound, and other members of the Vorticist movement.

I

1. Beyond Action and Reaction we would establish ourselves.
2. We start from opposite statements of a chosen world. Set up violent structure of adolescent clearness between two extremes.
3. We discharge ourselves on both sides.
4. We fight first on one side, then on the other, but always for the SAME cause, which is neither side or both sides and ours.
5. Mercenaries were always the best troops.
6. We are Primitive Mercenaries in the Modern World.
7. Our Cause is NO-MAN'S.
8. We set Humour at Humour's throat. Stir up Civil War among peaceful apes.
9. We only want Humour if it has fought like Tragedy.
10. We only want Tragedy if...