Adorable dreamer, whose heart has been so
romantic! who hast given thyself so prodigally, given thyself to
sides and heroes not mine, only never to the Philistines! home of
lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names, and
impossible loyalties!... Apparitions of a day, what is our puny
warfare against the Philistines, compared with the warfare which
this Queen of Romance has been waging against them for centuries,
and will wage after we are gone?"
As a man and a companion,[1] if you expected nothing but delightful
humour, brilliant discourse, and urbane outlook upon everything, few
could rival his personal charm; but he would never really join you in a
last ditch to defend the right, or actually charge with you against the
wrong, although in his poem "The Last Word," while not participating
himself in such strenuous doings, he seems to yield a reluctant
admiration to him who does so charge, and who leaves his "body by the
wall."
Much has happened since Matthew Arnold poured his scorn upon the
unregenerate Philistines; but let us remember, Antony, that thousands
and thousands of these contemned neglecters of sweetness and light
stood unflinchingly and died upon the plains of France that our country
and its freedom should survive.
Your loving old
G.
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