by T. S. Eliot
[11]
To the feast as an event, and not as a pretext,
We should omit none, preserving the earliest
20
Glittering wonder, the rapture of the first
Continued to the 80th Xmas tree.
So that the early rapture, the merriment,
The surprises, delight in new possessions,
[16]
The expectation of the goose or turkey
25
And the hush when it appears: so the proper levity
May never be lost, in the later experience
Of disillusionment, the sorrow,
The separations, in the consciousness
Of failure, or deterioration
30
Or in the attitude of the new convert
[23]
Sometimes tainted with a self-conceit
(An offense before God before the children).
[Poem I 109–10 · Commentary I 780–81]
Thus at the last, at the 80th Festival
Or more or less, whichever is the last,
35 [30]
The resolution may be a great joy
Which is also a great fear—that fear
Experienced by the observer at Pentecost.
But let me in passing, remember St Lucy
Her carol, and her crown of flame.
40
Is this the kind of message you want to send?
Is it the kind that you care to receive?
ms2, ts1–ts9:
1–7] not ts6–ts9
1] indented ts4, ts5 Since] Seeing that ms2 alt bidden] bidden once more ts3 2nd reading, ts4, ts5 compose these verses] with “X” ms2 ‖ compose more verses ms2 2nd reading ‖ compose a poem ms2 3rd reading ‖ compose again, ms2 final reading ‖ compose again ts1, ts2, ts3 1st reading ‖ compose ts3–ts5
2 Twenty years after—] At ms2 2nd reading ‖ A set of verses ms2 3rd reading (with of verses del), ts1–ts5
2–3 variant the season · · · unsuitable at] bracketed by Hayward ts5b
3 Or] (Or ts1 2nd reading, ts2 wholly inappropriate] unsuitable ms2 1st reading ‖ wholly unsuitable ts1–ts5 at Xmas] for Christmas ts1, ts2 1st reading ‖ for Christmas, ts2 2nd reading ‖ at Christmas, ts3–ts5
4 For] And ts1 2nd reading, ts2 1st reading to] to send to ts1 1st reading ‖ and ts1 2nd reading, ts2–ts5 recipient,] recipient ts1 1st reading ‖ recipient) ts1 2nd reading, ts2
5 20 yrs more after,] Tenty years, and more, after: ts1 (mistyping) ‖ Twenty years and more after, ts2 ‖ Twenty years and more later, ts3 1st reading ‖ Twenty-odd years later, ts3 2nd reading, ts4, ts5 ‖ Twenty years, or so, later, ts3 marginal alt images are fainter] imagery is fainter, ts1, ts2 2nd reading ‖ imagery is fainter ts2 1st reading ‖ fancy is less fertile, ts2 3rd reading, ts3–ts5
6 And the] The ts1–ts5 discursive, let] discursive … Let ts1 ‖ discursive: let ts2–ts5
6 ^ 7] line space ts1–ts5
7] As a point of attention, take the Xmas tree. ts2 2nd reading ‖ As a point of departure, let us take the Christmas Tree ts1–ts5, indented ts5 and with first five words underlined with “?” Hayward ts5b
8] indented ts4, ts5 responses to the Xmas season] responses to the Christmas season, ts1, ts2 1st reading ‖ forms of Christmas behaviour, ts2 2nd reading ‖ attitudes toward Christmas ts2 additional alt ‖ attitudes towards Christmas, ts3–ts9
9 may be disregarded] may be disregarded: ts6 1st reading ‖ we may disregard: ts6 2nd reading, ts7–ts9
[Poem I 109–10 · Commentary I 781]
10 my] this? Hayward ts5b For my present purpose] bracketed with my ringed and this? ts5a purpose,] purpose, such as ms2 2nd reading ‖ purpose—such as ts1–ts5 childish,] childish ts3–ts5
11 identified] confused Hayward ts5b (Not to be confused with] (Not to be identified with ms2 2nd reading, ts1–ts4, ts5 with confused? alt ‖ To be clearly distinguished from ms2 3rd reading the childlike:] the childlike ts1 ‖ the child’s response ts2 1st reading with response[s] underlined here as in 8 and 17, each with a marginal mark ‖ that of the child ts2 2nd reading, ts3 2nd reading, ts4 ‖ that of the child, ts3 1st reading
10–11] ts6–ts9:
The social, the torpid, the patently commercial,
[2]
The rowdy (the pubs being open till midnight),
But most of all the childish. Which is not that of the child
[2] pubs] pub ts7 1st reading (error) midnight),] midnight) ts8 1st reading
[3] But most of all] And especially ts6 2nd reading, ts7 (with “X” in ts7b), ts8 1st reading ‖ And ts8 2nd reading, ts9 childish. Which] childish—which ts8, ts9 child] child, ts8 1st reading
12 Which is one of wonder] Which is one of ecstasy ms2 2nd reading, ts1, ts2 1st reading with ecstasy underlined ‖ When the candles are stars ts2 2nd reading ‖ When a candle is a star ts2 3rd reading, ts3–ts5 ‖ For whom the candle is a star ts6–ts9 when] and ts7–ts9
13 over] at the summit of ms2 2nd reading, ts1–ts9
14 merely] only ts6 2nd reading, ts7–ts9 toy] decoration ts1–ts9 also] not ts8, ts9 angel)] angel. ts6–ts9
15 I say] underlined with “?” Hayward ts5b ‖ ringed for del ts5a rowdy,] rowdy ts1, ts2 1st reading
15–16] ts6–ts9:
The child wonders at the Christmas Tree,
[2]
And the spirit of wonder is the spirit of Christmas.
[1] Tree,] Tree: ts7a 2nd reading then line del, ts7b 2nd reading, ts8, ts9
[2] Let nothing interrupt the development of this wonder. ts7a 2nd reading ‖ Let nothing interrupt the progress of his wonder. ts7a 3rd reading, ts7b 2nd reading ‖ Let nothing interrupt the progress of our wonder. ts7a 4th reading ‖ Let him continue in the spirit of wonder ts8, ts9
15 ^ 16] ts1 1st reading:
(for the pubs are open until midnight,
on Christ’s birthnight, we may remark in passing)
with second line del ‖ ts1 2nd reading, ts2 1st reading:
(For the pubs are open until midnight)
ts2 2nd reading:
The sodden (the pubs are open until midnight)
ts3, ts4, ts5:
The sodden (for the pubs are open till midnight)
[Poem I 109–10 · Commentary I 781]
with for ringed, and are del with being ? by TSE ts5a, and with pubs being open by Hayward ts5b. (See 10–11 for ts6–ts9.)
16 The sodden] The social ts2 2nd reading, ts3–ts5 and] the well fed, ts1, ts2 1st reading ‖ the fed, and ts2 2nd reading ‖ the torpid ts2 additional alt, ts3–ts5
17] not ts8, ts9 But] So ts6, ts7 with “X” ts7b ‖ Therefore ts7a 2nd reading of the] of all the ts1–ts7 genuine] successive ts6, ts7
18] ms2 2nd reading, ts6, ts7:
To the Feast as an event, and not as a pretext,
ts1: (with is 1st reading for being), ts2–ts5:
To the Feast as an event (an event being something
Of importance in time) and not as a pretext,
ts8 1st reading:
At the Feast as an event, and not accept it as a pretext.
ts8 2nd reading, ts9:
At the Feast as an event not accepted as a pretext.
19] not ts8, ts9 We should] Let us ms2 2nd reading, ts1–ts6, ts7a 1st and final readings, ts7b ‖ Let him ts7a 2nd reading omit] forget ts1 ‖ abandon ts2 2nd reading, ts3–ts7 preserving the earliest] preserve even the earliest ts3 1st reading ‖ but preserve the early ts3 2nd reading, ts4, ts5 ‖ but perpetuate ts6, ts7
20 rapture] delight ts1 2nd reading ‖ amazement ts2–ts5 of] at ts2 2nd reading first] first remembered ts1 1st reading
21 Continued to] Still throbbing in ts1 ‖ Still awaiting ts2 1st reading ‖ Still greeting ts2 2nd reading ‖ Still aroused by ts2 3rd reading ‖ Surviving to ts3 1st reading ‖ To glorify ts3 2nd reading, ts5 80th Xmas tree.] eightieth Christmas Tree; ts1–ts5
20–21] ts6–ts9:
The glittering rapture, the amazement
Of the first-remembered Christmas Tree;
[1] The] So that the ts8, ts9
[2] Of the first-remembered, to the final Tree ts6 1st reading Tree;] Tree, ts8, ts9
22] not ts6–ts9 that] not ms2 2nd reading early] not ts3 2nd reading, ts4, ts5
23 The] So that the ts6–ts9 surprises] surprise ts3 delight] the delight ms2 1st reading, ts3 possessions,] possessions ts1–ts5, ts8, ts9 ‖ with comma and slash superimposed ts6
23 ^ 24] Each of which comes with a new smell, ts1 1st reading ‖ (Each one with its peculiar delightful smell) ts1 2nd reading ‖ (Each having its peculiar, exciting smell) ts2, ts3 without comma ‖ (Each one with its peculiar exciting smell) ts4– ts7 ‖ (Each one with its peculiar and exciting smell), ts8, ts9
25 hush] awe ms2 alt ‖ expected awe ts1, ts7–ts9 when it appears:] at its appearance: ms2 2nd reading ‖ at its appearance, ts1, ts3–ts7, ts8 1st reading ‖ at its appearance ts2 ‖ on its appearance, ts8 2nd reading, ts9 so the proper levity] not ts1–ts9
[Poem I 109–10 · Commentary I 781]
25 ^ 26] So that the early reverent levity ts1 ‖ So that the original reverent levity ts2 ‖ So that the reverence and the levity ts3–ts7 ‖ So that the reverence and the gaiety ts8, ts9
26 May never] May not ts1–ts9 lost, in the] lost in ts2, ts6 1st reading ‖ forgotten in ts3–ts5, ts6 2nd reading, ts7–ts9 experience] experience, ts1, ts2, ts4–ts9 ‖ experience— ts3
27 Of] The ms2 2nd reading ‖ In the ms2 3rd reading, ts1
27] not ts2 1st reading ‖ In bored habituation, recurrent tedium, ts2 2nd reading ‖ In the bored habituation, recurrent tedium, ts2 ‖ In the bored habituation, the recurrent tedium, ts3–ts7 ‖ In the bored habituation, the fatigue, the tedium, ts8, ts9
28 The separations, in] In memories of ms2 1st reading (false start) ‖ In the separations, in ts1–ts2
29 or] shame, ms2 2nd reading ‖ shame and ts1, ts2
28–29] The consciousness of death, of shame and of failure, ts3 1st reading ‖ The awareness of death, the consciousness of failure, ts3 2nd reading, ts4–ts9 (with terminal dash replacing comma ts6, ts7)
30 attitude] piety ms2 2nd reading, tss new] del ts2 ‖ not ts3–ts9
31 Sometimes] (Sometimes ms2 2nd reading ‖ Which may be ts1 1st reading, ts6–ts9 ‖ (Which may be ts1 2nd reading, ts2–ts5
32 (An offense before God before the children).] ms2 3rd reading ‖ For which ms2 1st reading (false start) ‖ (which is also an offense against the children ms2 2nd reading ‖ (An offense before God before the children). ms2 3rd reading ‖ offensive before God before the children). ms2 4th reading ‖ Offensive towards God and towards the children; ts1 1st reading ‖ Offensive towards God and towards the children). ts1 2nd reading, ts2 ‖ Offensive to God and disrespectful to the children); ts3–ts5 ‖ Offensive to God and disrespectful to the children ts6, ts7 ‖ Displeasing to God and disrespectful to the children ts8, ts9
32 ^ 33] before a line space:
(And here I remember also with gratitude
St. Lucy, her carol, and her crown of fire);
ts6, ts7 and, with colon instead of semi-colon, ts8, ts9 (see 38–39)
33–35] ms2 2nd reading:
Thus at the last, at the 80th Festival
That is to say at whichever is the last,
These may all be resolved into a great joy
ts1:
Thus, at the last, at the eightieth Festival
(That is to say, at whichever is the last)
All the accumulated experience
May be resolved into a great joy
ts2 1st reading:
Thus, at the last, at the eightieth Festival—
That is to say, at whichever is the last—
All the accumulation of experience
May be resolved into a great joy
[Poem I 109–10 · Commentary I 781–82]
ts2 2nd reading:
So that, at the last, at the eightieth Festival—
By “eightieth” I mean, at whichever may be final—
All the accumulation of experience
May be resolved into a great joy
ts2, incomplete redrafting at foot:
So that before the 80th Festival—
By 80th I mean
The accumulation of the annual emotions
May be simplified into a great joy
ts3:
So that towards the end, at the eightieth Christmas
(By “eightieth” I mean, whichever is the last)
All the accumulation of annual emotion
[1] in the margin: “[ ] And” towards the end, at] before the end, before 2nd reading
[2] “eightieth” I mean,] “eightieth”, I mean 2nd reading
[3] in the margin: “Let …” All the] The 2nd reading accumulation] accumulated memories 2nd reading
ts4, ts5:
So that before the end, before the eightieth Christmas
(By “eightieth”, I mean whichever is the last)
[3]
The accumulated memories of annual emotion
May be simplified into a great joy
[1] So that] ringed along with the same words in 22, 25 ^ 26, and with That by Hayward ts5b ‖ ringed ts5a before · · · before] each ringed, with marginal “X” ts5a
[2] I mean] meaning ts5a 2nd reading
[3] ^ [4] marginal arrow with “St L[ucy]?” ts5a
ts6–ts9:
So that before the end, the eightieth Christmas
(By “eightieth” meaning whichever is the last)
The accumulated memories of annual emotion
May be simplified into a great joy
[2] “eightieth”] eightieth” ts8 1st reading (error)
[4] simplified] concentrated ts8, ts9
36–37] ts1–ts9:
Which is also a great fear
When fear came upon every soul,
[3]
Because reminder of the beginning is reminder of the end,
And the first coming of the second coming.
[1] is] shall be ts5–ts9 (typed over is ts8) fear] fear, as on that occasion ts2–ts7 ‖ fear, as on the occasion ts8, ts9
[2] soul,] soul: ts2–ts9
[Poem I 109–10 · Commentary I 782]
[3] Because reminder of] Because ts1 2nd reading ‖ ts2–ts9 is reminder] is a reminder Hayward ts5b ‖ shall remind us ts6–ts9 ‖ should remind us ts8 1st reading end,] end ts2–ts9
38–41] not ts6–ts9
38] indented ts4, ts5
38–39 But let me] Let me ms2 2nd reading ‖ And let me ms2 3rd reading ‖ But let me, ts1, ts2 ‖ Let me, ts3, ts4 ‖ And let me, ts5 ‖ And let us, with “?” Hayward ts5b 2nd reading ‖ And here I remember, ts5a alt (with let me ringed) passing] concluding ts3 1st reading ‖ conclusion ts3 2nd reading, ts4 1st reading, ts5 remember St Lucy | Her] remember with gratitude | St. Lucy, her ms2 2nd reading, ts1 2nd reading, ts2 1st reading, ts3–ts5 ‖ remember St. Lucy | With ts1 1st reading ‖ include with other memories, | St. Lucy, her ts2 2nd reading crown of flame.] lighted crown. ms2 2nd reading ‖ crown of fire. ts1–ts5
40] indented ts4, ts5 message] greeting that ms2 2nd reading, ts1–ts5 want] wish ms2 2nd reading, ts1–ts5
41] ts1 1st reading:
Think well before you choose it. Is it the kind
That you care to receive? And if not,
How will you retaliate upon the giver?
all del ‖ ts1 2nd reading:
Is it the kind that you care to receive?
with the emended to a
41 Is] And is ms2 2nd reading the] a ms2 2nd reading, ts2–ts5
[Poem I 109–10 · Commentary I 782]
Unfinished Poems
Fragment of a Prologue and Fragment of an Agon had been published together as Sweeney Agonistes (1932) before they were collected in 1936. By contrast, Triumphal March and Difficulties of a Statesman appeared together as Coriolan for the first time in 1936.
Section-titl
e page] 1936+
Sweeney Agonistes
The drafts at King’s begin with a typescript of possible titles and epigraphs on a typed leaf which has been cut in half, and a carbon (later endorsed: “My typing. probably precedes the fragments themselves T. S. Eliot”), which is shown in facsimile in Homage to T. S. Eliot (1965).
HOMAGE TO ARISTOPHANES: A FRAGMENT
by T. S. Eliot
These are the gloomy companions of a disturbed imagination; the melancholy madness of poetry, without the inspiration.—JUNIUS.
Hence the soul can only be endowed with divine union, when it has divested itself of the love of created beings.—ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS.
Be absolute for death, either death or life
Shall thereby seem the sweeter: reason thus with life—
MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
Casey Jones was a fireman’s name:
In the red-light district he won his fame.
OLD BALLAD.
FRAGMENT OF A MELOCOMIC MINSTRELSY
by T. S. Eliot
Oreste: Vous ne les voyez pas, vous, mais, moi, je les vois. Elles me pourchassent, je ne puis plus rester.—LES CHOEPHORES, trad. Paul Mazon.
The Commentary headnote, 6. THE SUPERIOR LANDLORD prints the two ruled leaves of a Manuscript Synopsis (which were shown in facsimile in Homage to T. S. Eliot), followed by a scenario in two parts with an interlude. The Commentary headnote 10. PREMIÈRE IN AMERICA: ENTER AN OLD GENTLEMAN prints a later addition never incorporated into the published text.
For the published text:
ts1 (King’s): foolscap ribbon copy and carbon of a draft of Fragment of a Prologue, and carbon only of Fragment of an Agon, all bound with The Superior Landlord. First leaf of ribbon copy of Fragment of a Prologue numbered by TSE “147”.
[Poem I 113–27 · Commentary I 783–834]
ts Morley (Berg): “Prompt copy” from the archive of the Group Theatre, with note by Robert Medley relating it to a production in the mid-1950s at Morley College, Lambeth. Twelve pages, interleaved with ms diagrams and stage directions (thought to be by Rupert Doone), duplicated ts and programme. As this has no textual authority, variants are not recorded below.