May 1916
22311
A Coy, 11th(S) Batt K.O.R.L.
Alma Bks, Blackdown Camp
Farnborough
DEAR MARSH
I have not heard from you and did not expect to, as you must be full up with work. I’ve also had very little inclination to write to anybody though I’ve been very eager to hear from all. We are pretty certain to be off the beginning of June and are having our last leave this week. I’ve got quite used to the thing by now though naturally I hate the restraints. The food in this Reg is much better than the other. I am having a small pamphlet printed of a play and some small poems, all written since I joined; and I want you to make allowance for the play as I had to write it in a very scrappy manner and even got into trouble through it. It made me a bit absent minded and you know what that means in the army. I expect it will be ready in 2 weeks.
If you are answering this immediately write to
87 Dempsey St Stepney E
as I think I’m having my 6 days furlough from Friday.
Postcard
19 May, 1916
I will be at Raymond B Mon morning. Have got six days. I’ll bring some proofs of my play which will amuse you. The printer is superb. He’s made quite an original thing of it, and given me a million hints for new things. The plot is droll. There is a famine in Egypt caused by the superabundance of slaves who eat up all the food meant for the masters. To prevent this, all the back molars of the slaves are drawn, so they eat less. The plot works round this.
I. ROSENBERG
May 1916
22311
A Coy, 11th Batt., K.O.R.L. Regt.
Blackdown Camp
DEAR MR SCHIFF
I have not written to you for some time because there was nothing much new to write about. We are going overseas at last, some day this week — I fancy Thursday, but whether its France or the Coloured Countries I couldn’t say. I will write to you from wherever I am. I have had another pamphlet printed of poems as I felt that would be the safest way of keeping my best work if anything should happen. I have not seen the book myself but I believe it is finished by now and I will ask my people to send on a copy to you. When you have seen that, if you would like a bound copy or some for friends, I am selling some to make up the cost of printing — which is not yet paid for. You could write to Miss A. Rosenberg, 87 Dempsey St. Stepney E. but say nothing of my being away as it would pain my mother. A friend sent me a nice letter from Trevelyan the poet (brother of the socialist M.P.) in which he mentions me and my poems as being ‘startlingly fine’. He has not seen my new things yet. For the rest I am in splendid condition and feel ready for the rotten job I’m about.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
May, 1916
To Israel Zangwill 22311
A. Coy, 11th (S) Batt., K.O.R.L.
Alma Bks.
Blackdown Camp.
DEAR SIR,
I hope you will excuse this liberty I take in sending my poems to you. I believe you will be interested in ‘Moses.’ I have not worked him out as a character quite in the way I wished, because I had to hurry to get it finished before I went out. I was not able to correct proofs either. We are going overseas this week. If you are pleased with my book and think friends will like it they are for sale at is each or in cloth, 4/6d. This is only to pay the printer. I thought it necessary to get them printed to prevent them getting lost.
Yours sincerely,
ISAAC ROSENBERG
If books wanted send here for them:
Miss A. Rosenberg, 87 Dempsey Street, Stepney, London E.
To R. C. Trevelyan 22311
Late May, 1916
A Coy
11th (S) Batt. K.O.R.L. Regt.
Blackdown Camp
DEAR SIR
My friend Rodker told me you liked my poems and wanted a copy. I am enclosing one for you and one for Mr Bottomley (who is the most real poet living in England). They will also send you from home copies (one for Bottomley) of some new poems which I’ve written since I joined. You will excuse the printers errors as I was not able to correct them. We are leaving for overseas this week (Thursday) but if you write soon I expect I’ll get the letter; or write to my people for me Miss A. Rosenberg. 87 Dempsey St. Stepney. London. E. but don’t say anything of my being away as my people are Tolstoylians and object to my being in khaki. My reason for ‘castrating’ my book before I sent it was simply that the poems were commonplace and you would not have said: ‘You do it like a navvy’ but, ‘You do it like a bank clerk.’ You have made me very pleased by liking my work and telling me B liked them.
If my people send you a copy bound in cloth you won’t mind paying for it, I’m sure, as I have not paid the printer yet. 3/6 will do.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
May 27, 1916
DEAR MARSH
It was a pity I came late that morning but it could not be helped and I was so anxious to rush my printer through with my poems before I left England. Anyway we’re off at last, either tomorrow or Mon. (its Sat now and we’ve handed in all our surplus kit and are quite ready). I’ll write them at home to send you a copy of my poems, one called ‘Spring 1916’ I particularly like, and I think you will. But some poems will be in cloth and I am charging for those to make up the cost of printing. If you want any will you write me when I let you know where I am. They are 4/6 each. The king inspected us Thursday. I believe its the first Bantam Brigade been inspected. He must have waited for us to stand up a good while. At a distance we look like soldiers sitting down, you know, legs so short.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
June, 1916
DEAR MR ABERCROMBIE
I am sending you copy of new poems. I hope you’ll like them. We’re off tonight overseas. As soon as we land anywhere I’ll let you know as I’d like very much to hear they pleased you.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
Some of these books are for sale to make up cost of printing if friends of yours should want any. Send Miss A. Rosenberg, 87 Dempsey St, Stepney E.
Don’t mention my being abroad.
June 15, 1916
22311 Pte I Rosenberg
A. Coy 11th(S) Batt. K.O.R.L
British Expeditionary Force
DEAR MR TREVELYAN
My sister sent me on your letter, which has made me feel very conceited and elated. It is strange why people should be so timid and afraid to praise on their own, and yet so bold to criticise. I know my faults are legion; a good many must be put down to the rotten conditions I wrote it in — the whole thing was written in barracks, and I suppose you know what an ordinary soldier’s life is like. Moses symbolises the fierce desire for virility, and original action in contrast to slavery of the most abject kind. I was very sorry to hear about Bottomley being bad. I hope by the time this reaches you that will be a thing to joke about. If I get through this affair without any broken bones etc, I have a lot to say and one or two shilling shockers, that’ll make some people jump. Here’s a sketch of our passage over. If you see Mrs Rodker please ask her to write to me about R. as I believe R is in prison.
The above address will or should find me.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
We are in the trenches now and its raining horribly.
To Miss Seaton from France, June 1916
We made straight for the trenches, but we’ve had vile weather, and I’ve been wet through for four days and nights. I lost all my socks and things before I left England, and hadn’t the chance to make it up again, so I’ve been in trouble, particularly with bad heels; you can’t have the slightest conception of what such an apparently trivial thing means. We’ve had shells bursting two yards off, bullets whizzing all over the show, but all you are aware of is the agony of your heels... I had a letter from R. C. Trevelyan, the poet... He writes: ‘It is a long time since I have read anything that has impressed me so muc
h as your “Moses” and some of your short poems...’ He confesses parts are difficult, and he is not sure whether it’s my fault or his.
June 1916
223II
11th (S) Batt. 40th division
K.O.R.L. Regt.
B.E.F. France
MY DEAR MARSH
You know we mustn’t say very much now we’re over the water but as soon as I get a chance I’ll try and give you some idea of what’s happening to me. Up to now nothing very important has happened, nothing more terrible than uncomfortable regrets at not having learned this infernal lingo when I had the chance. I had a letter from a friend who knows Trevelyan. This letter was from Trevelyan to my friend about my poems — not my recent things. G. Bottomley happened to be staying with him at the time and they both thought some of my things ‘startlingly fine’. My new things are miles ahead of those. Write me if you can and if anything occurs to you useful in the trenches that I’m not likely to get here could you send me.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
Here’s sketch of passage over.
‘The Troop Ship’
I came across your second Georgian book lately. Why didn’t you say anything to me about it. I’m mad to read a play by Bottomley. Is Binyon in London or France?
To Gordon Bottomley
June 12, 1916
If you really mean what you say in your letter, there is no need to tell you how proud I am. I had to read your letter many times before I could convince myself you were not ‘pulling my leg’. People are always telling me my work is promising — incomprehensible, but promising, and all that sort of thing, and my meekness subsides before the patronizing knowingness. The first thing I saw of yours was last year in the Georgian Book, ‘The End of the World’. I must have worried all London about it — certainly everybody I know. I had never seen anything like it. After that I got hold of ‘Chambers of Imagery’. Mr Marsh told me of your plays, but I joined the Army and have never been able to get at them. It is a great thing to me to be able to tell you now in this way what marvellous pleasure your work has given me, and what pride that my work pleases you. I had ideas for a play called ‘Adam and Lilith’ before I came to France, but I must wait now.
June 30, 1916
22311 A Coy
11th Batt. K.O.R.L.
3 Platoon.
B.E.F.
MY DEAR MARSH
I sent you a letter and a copy of my book when I reached here, but am doubtful whether you got it, as several letters I sent off at the time, I know got mislaid. I am aware how fearfully busy you must be, but if poetry at this time is no use it certainly won’t be at any other. Miss Asquith seems to think this too, and I half believe it is at your suggestion. R. C. Trevelyan is a friend of yours I believe. He wrote me a most flattering letter about my ‘Moses’. He said no new thing has impressed him so much for a long time. Bottomley admires my work too, and that has pleased me more than if I were known all over the world. We made straight for the trenches and have spent a wet time and dry one there. I’ll write you out a dramatic thing of the trenches some time and shan’t say anything here. I sketched myself in a dug out but lost it. Here’s it rough. If you have anything to say about my poem do write me as soon as you get time. I am busy too but I write. Of course the work I’m busy at doesn’t matter as much as yours — I mean its not so responsible but do write.
Here’s a sketch very slight I’ve done here.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
22311 A Coy 3 platoon
11th K.O.R.L. B.E.F.
DEAR MRS COHEN
We are on a long march and I’m writing this on the chance of getting it off; so you should know I received your papers and also your letter. The notice in the Times of your book is true — especially about your handling of metre. It is an interesting number. The Poetry Review you sent is good — the articles are too breathless, and want more packing, I think. The poems by the soldier are vigorous but, I feel a bit commonplace. I did not like Rupert Brooke’s begloried sonnets for the same reason. What I mean is second hand phrases ‘lambent fires’ etc takes from its reality and strength. It should be approached in a colder way, more abstract, with less of the million feelings everybody feels; or all these should be concentrated in one distinguished emotion. Walt Whitman in ‘Beat, drums, beat’, has said the noblest thing on war.
I am glad Yeats liked your play: His criticism is an honour. He is the established great man and it is a high thing to receive praise from him. Don’t talk of Noyes — he only cloys. I always think of some twopenny bazaar when I read him.
I am thinking of a Jewish play with Judas Macabeas for hero. I can put a lot in I’ve learnt out here. I hope I get the chance to go on with it. I’ve freshly written this thing — red from the anvil. I have a good one in the anvil now but it wants knocking into shape. Thanks very much for the papers.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
To Gordon Bottomley
July 23, 1916
Your letter came to-day with Mr. Trevelyan’s, like two friends to take me for a picnic. Or rather like friends come to release the convict from his chains with his innocence in their hands, as one sees in the twopenny picture palace. You might say, friends come to take you to church, or the priest to the prisoner. Simple poetry — that is where an interesting complexity of thought is kept in tone and right value to the dominating idea so that it is understandable and still ungraspable. I know it is beyond my reach just now, except, perhaps, in bits. I am always afraid of being empty. When I get more leisure in more settled times I will work on a larger scale and give myself room; then I may be less frustrated in my efforts to be clear, and satisfy myself too. I think what you say about getting beauty by phrasing of passages rather than the placing of individual words very fine and very true.
Late July 1916
Pte I Rosenberg 22311
c/o 40th Divisional Coy Salvage Officer
B.E.F. France
DEAR MR SCHIFF
I was most glad to get your card today together with the papers. It is a hard job to get any decent literature out here and it has never occurred to any of my friends to send any to me; (though they have sent me things more urgent and necessary, such as chocolates etc) Still, up to now I have had no leisure at all, not a moment for books, but by some curious way, some queer change in my military programme has taken place, and now I do get time to read — but there is nothing to read. I am sending you this portrait of the militant poet a bit changed ay! Also my sister will send you a trench poem of mine. I think I’ll also enclose copy of G. Bottomley’s letter to me. I wonder whether you have any of his plays to send me. He was my great god of poetry the moment I read ‘The End of the World’ in ‘Georgian book’, and I immediately bought a small book of his and that was the only book I had with me since I joined till I came to France where I lost it somehow. I am distressed about your state of mind, but refrain from philosophizing. I know Cornwall but not Devonshire. I’ve found Cornwall in Spring gorgeous and I’ve done a good deal of sketching there. I do not know Trevor Blakemore’s work though I know his name and his opinion of my work would interest me greatly. It is fine of you to show my work about so, as it may do me a deal of good after the war if I get established some way. My plan is to teach drawing at a school a few days in the week, which leaves plenty of leisure to write, as I am convinced I am more deep and true as a poet than painter. I am glad Bomberg has done something definite at last, I do hope nothing will happen to him out here, more than ever. Who has he married? What division is he in? I might run across him.
The above address is fairly permanent as far as I know. If you write I am pretty sure to get it, and I am bucked up when I hear from friends.
Yours sincerely
ISAAC ROSENBERG
Aug 4th, 1916
MY DEAR MARSH
I have only just received your letter, which has been lying about for the last week before it w
as given to me. By now, you must have read a letter I wrote on behalf of a friend, and sent to Whitehall to reach you during the day, as it was so pressing. I trust you have been able to do something; as it is rough luck on the poor fellow. I was most glad to get your letter and criticism. You know the conditions I have always worked under, and particularly with this last lot of poems. You know how earnestly one must wait on ideas, (you cannot coax real ones to you) and let as it were, a skin grow naturally round and through them. If you are not free, you can only, when the ideas come hot, seize them with the skin in tatters raw, crude, in some parts beautiful in others monstrous. Why print it then? Because those rare parts must not be lost. I work more and more as I write into more depth and lucidity, I am sure. I have a fine idea for a most gorgeous play, Adam and Lilith. If I could get a few months after the war to work and absorb myself completely into the thing, I’d write a great thing.
I am enclosing a poem I wrote in the trenches, which is surely as simple as ordinary talk. You might object to the second line as vague, but that was the best way I could express the sense of dawn.
Complete Works of Isaac Rosenberg Page 23