The Art of Letters

by Robert Lynd

Rattle

Like machine-guns,

In anticipation

Of food and platitudes.

Les Vieilles Dames Sans Merci!

Mr. Sitwell’s hatred of war is seldom touched with pity. It is arrogant hatred. There is little emotion in it but that of a young man at war with age. He pictures the dotards of two thousand years ago complaining that Christ did not die—

Like a hero

With an oath on his lips,

Or the refrain from a comic song—

Or a cheerful comment of some kind.