Be't as it may elsewhere, upon this planet

There's no free will, only obedience

To some blind, deaf, unthinking despotry

That justifies the horridest pessimism.

Frankly acknowledging all this, I beat

A quick but not disorderly retreat.

He re-trajects himself into Space, followed closely by his Chorus, and by the Spirit and Chorus of the Pities, the Spirits Sinister and Ironic with their Choruses, Rumours, Spirit Messengers, and the Recording Angel.

Footnote 7: [(return)]

This has been composed from a scenario thrust on me by some one else. My philosophy of life saves me from sense of responsibility for any of my writings; but I venture to hold myself specially irresponsible for this one.—TH*M*S H*RDY.

SHAKESPEARE AND CHRISTMAS