Normanton House, Lake, Salisbury. - Bob's 'fine volume' [the second of his "Collected Works"] has arrived safely; it seems to have been held up in the post, and perhaps opened; it is 'very attractive - to hand & to eye'. Has read Bob's 'admirable "Custom of Thrace"' again: sees it is dated 1939, so 'these bad times have not driven away the Muse'. Is half-way through "Sulla" and enjoying it very much; 'wonderful' how much Bob has made from the passages of Plutarch and Herodotus. Notes that Bob does use ellipses (...), then remembers him saying they were 'right in dialogue'. "Sulla" would work very well if staged, and 'would suit a grove on the side of Leith Hill'. Adds a postscript to say his father has 'seized' Bob's book and 'is reading it, apparently with great pleasure'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Quite a sign 'or rather a speciality of the times' to get up "Patience" in a style which pleases Elizabeth and can 'remind' Robert [of the original production?]. Glad that satisfactory domestic staff arrangements have now been made at the Shiffolds. Looking forward very much to Elizabeth's visit, and hoping to see Robert too. Has looked up [Lucian's] "Πλοἶον ἢ Εὐχαί" ["The Ship, or The Wishes"], and will talk to Robert again about it and about Plutarch's Alexander; will read Lucian's "Alexander Pseudomantis" again before he leaves Welcombe next summer.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - He and Caroline have recovered from the journey, but he supposes he will remain 'at a lower level than before [his] long illness'. Has never read any Plutarch in Greek: he is one of the great writers 'to whom one pays the hightest of compliments of reading them with reverence in English', as he did for so long with [Dumas's "Count of] Monte Cristo" and "The Three Musketeers". Would like to know what Robert thinks of Plutarch's biography of Alexander; he himself is planning to re-read Lucian's "Alexander Pseudomantis" and "On Salaried Posts in Great Houses"; has just finished the "De morte Peregrini"; expresses his 'distaste' for the "Dialogues of the Dead" and 'something stronger than distaste' for Lucian's many imitators. Caroline 'really fancied the Shelley book', but they both got bored by Dowson last time they read him; [James?] Hogg is 'above, or beside, or somehow sacred from criticism'.
Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italy. - Thanks Benn for the letter about his book ["Polyphemus and Other Poems]: 'such appreciation and criticism' are the only real rewards for the 'pains of literature'; particularly pleased that Benn has singled out for praise lines which he himself likes best. Also encouraged by Benn's approval of his 'blending more modern ideas with classical fable', for which he has sometimes been censured. Must read the passage from Plutarch mentioned by Benn, which will serve as an 'answer to such objections'. Discusses the use of Roman and Greek names for the gods in poetry. Is afraid his 'ideas on the natural history of Satyrs, Pans, fauns etc, are somewhat confused', but then so were ancient ideas; will pay more attention to the question soon. Once read a story that Sulla was brought 'a wild goat-footed man' in Greece, whom he attempted to interrogate but without success; thinks the author described him as a 'satyr' but has not been able to find the passage, which should be in Plutarch, again. Hopes Benn will 'meet such a one' near his new home [at Florence] this summer; hopes it will not be too far from I Tatti. He and his wife have heard nothing from [Bernard] Berenson since they left, though he had discussed coming south; they hope his health is better. They send regards to Benn and his wife.