Item 32 - Letter from Lascelles Abercrombie to R. C. Trevelyan

1 item

Monk's Walk Cottage, Much Marcle, Dymock, Gloucester. - Is pleased that Trevelyan liked the "Hymn [to Love]", which another friend had criticised, and has sent it to Massingham. Is interested by the resemblance to Persian poetry, of which he knows little (he praises Fitzgerald's "Salaman and Absal"), and should like to see the poets mentioned by Trevelyan, particularly the Hafiz. Keen to know what Persian metres are like, especially after reading Headlam's belief that Aeschylus was indebted to them for some of his choric measures. Discussion of Japanese poetry, with a "Hokku" composed by himself, and of the "Song of Songs". Expresses the belief that this is a collection of songs rather than a continuous poem. His approach to his book reviewing; is a little concerned that Trevelyan has been guided by it to buy books. Discussion of their sons: hopes David might have "music in him".