The Cotman Collection | 40

Cotmania. Vol. XI. 1935-6

Archive: SDK Sydney Decimus Kitson Archive
Reference Number: SDK/1/2/1/11
Page: 17 recto

  • Description

    Continuation of Poem, written by FBM [F B Malim?] to Kitson. Perhaps in some sort of code ('though you were glad to acknowledge the Second Epistle of Paul' - Kitson had recently received Paul Oppé's second letter regarding Kitson's manuscript... plus many religious overtones).

    Poem, written by FBM [F B Malim?] to Kitson. Perhaps in some sort of code ('though you were glad to acknowledge the Second Epistle of Paul' - Kitson had recently received Paul Oppé's second letter regarding Kitson's manuscript... plus many religious overtones).

    Date:

  • Transcription

    We drove to the Princely Casino
    Beloved of the Yellower Press;
    That trip was a regular Beano -
    The other was not a success;

    It really was rather provoking
    To find, when we circled the Square,
    That the chauffeur believed we were joking
    When all we could utter was 'Clare'.

    I trusted to you as a pillar:
    But it would have been soothing to see
    You were sure of the name of the Villa
    Where we were invited to tea.

    Impatience at times would invite you
    (Such eagerness authorship breeds)
    To wonder what Milford would write you,
    Or the lingering lawyers of Leeds.

    But though you were glad to acknowledge
    The Second Epistle of Paul,
    The Knight (who was with him at College)
    Vouchsafed you no letter at all.

    The weather to start with was hateful,
    But later it altered its mind:
    And I am exceedingly grateful
    For you were exceedingly kind.

    January 16, 1936. F.B.M.

Continuation of Poem, written by FBM [F B Malim?] to Kitson. Perhaps in some sort of code ('though you were glad to acknowledge the Second Epistle of Paul' - Kitson had recently received Paul Oppé's second letter regarding Kitson's manuscript... plus many religious overtones).