T. S. Eliot the Poems, Volume 2
Page 77
[Poems I 289–91 · Commentary I 1193–95]
17 him] her pencil variant
19 firkins] pail pencil variant
20 DOCTOR PERKINS] Emily Hale pencil variant
A Valedictory
Forbidding Mourning: to the Lady of the House
Recited 28 Sept 1935.
ms1 (Bodleian): fair copy in ink addressed “To Mrs. John Carroll Perkins, Stamford House, Chipping Campden, Glos.” and written on the versos of four leaves of her headed notepaper. Also present is a flyer for Mrs. Carroll Perkins’s garden lectures “for the season of 1929–1930”, one of which was “An Illustrated Garden Lecture for Children: Flowers; Fairies; Birds; Songs. Miss Emily Hale assisting.” TSE to Donald Gallup, 15 Sept 1961: “I don’t remember whether there was any holograph copy of those verses or not. I should think it quite likely that the verses in possession of the Bodleian library were as near to the original draft as there was. But I cannot think why Mrs. Perkins sent them to the Bodleian, or what reason there was for imposing any prohibition on their inspection. I would like to see a copy of them myself. [Footnote: Perhaps she never sent them to the Bodleian! But I covet a copy for Valerie’s collection!]”
ts1 (Beinecke): ribbon copy on two leaves, folded in quarters. Inscribed in black ink at head: “(to Mrs John Carroll Perkins, | Stamford House, | Campden, Glos. | 28. ix. 35)”, and signed by TSE at foot. Bought at Seven Gables Bookshop, June 1961, by Donald Gallup, who subsequently typed a copy to send to TSE “for Valerie’s collection” (Gallup 1988 116).
ts2 (Beinecke): later typed copy with American spelling, by Mrs. Perkins, on three leaves, emended by TSE and signed “T. S. Eliot | for | Mrs. John Carroll Perkins | July 18, 1946.” Bought by Gallup, Seven Gables Bookshop, June 1961. Evidently copied from ts1, from which “Your” (27) is taken, but then corrected by TSE to “Their”. It has no independent authority, and several errors by Mrs. Perkins (mostly of punctuation) are not noted. Most were corrected by TSE, who also bracketed and then deleted 43–44, and bracketed the final couplet (taken from ts1). With a further typed copy using American spelling, on five small leaves, prepared by a member of the Perkins family (variants not noted here).
mss Perkins (Beinecke): rough pencil copy on three leaves, probably by Mrs. Perkins, noting in ink TSE’s omission of 43–44 and the final couplet (taken from ts1) when reading aloud at Petersham, Massachusetts, 18 July 1946. Bought by Gallup, Seven Gables Bookshop, June 1961. With a further ms copy by Mrs. Perkins in green ink, on both sides of two notebook leaves. As these mss have no independent authority, variants are not noted.
Text from ms1.
[Poems I 291–92 · Commentary I 1195–96]
Subtitle Mourning:] Mourning ts2, with comma added by TSE
4 yet] yet. ts1
9 violas and] dahlias and the ts1 1st reading
11] typed, then del, then retyped beneath ts1
16 ^ 17] Yet summer lingers with us still ts1 del
20 ^ 21 as also 30 ^ 31] line space only ts1
25 they] you ts1 pencilled 2nd reading, erased
27 Their] Your ts1 pencilled 2nd reading, erased
35 stems] roots ts1 1st reading
36 long] ts1 1st and final reading ‖ dull ts1 2nd reading
38 calm] long ts1 1st reading
41 Dare] Will ts1 1st reading
42 ^ 43] new leaf so line spacing indeterminate ts1
44 Remembers] Remembers. ms1
44 ^ 45] line space, then Green earth forgets, one says all del, then another line space ts1
46 memories;] memories, ts1
47 ghosts] ghosts, ts1 1st reading
48 Of dear and] Remember ts1 1st reading
51 came,] came ts1
52 same.] same; ts1
after 58]
In conclusion, I wish to express my grateful thanks
For your patient attention, and forbearance with my pranks.
ts1 (with 1st reading ending endurance of my pranks.), ts2 (bracketed by TSE)
Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats
ts1 (Faber archive): typescript on four leaves with three other leaves of pencil sketches.
ts2 (Brotherton): to Bonamy Dobrée, 11 July 1934, closes with 1–5 (only), followed by three asterisks and then I have teeth, which are False & Quite Beautiful.
Text from ts1.
Title] not ts1, ts2
1 at] in ts2 The Princess Louise,] The Princess Louise, ts1 the Princess Louise ts2
2, 4, 5] indented ts2
3 had ordered] was eating ts2 peas,] peas; ts2
[Poems I 292–94 · Commentary I 1196–97]
10 I’ve] have ts1 1st reading
15 work] trade ts1 1st reading
50–51] typed at end of stanza as “variant” ts1:
He will make lightning sketches without any labour,
Of slim Mr. Stewart or Stout Mr. Faber
64 at] with ts1 1st reading
The Country Walk
Published in The Times 6 June 2009 from ts1.
ts1 (Morley family album): sent to the Morleys and reproduced in “The Family News”, as seen in BBC Arena documentary 2009. Signed at foot, “T. S. Eliot”.
ts2 (Princeton): single leaf, with later comment at foot by E. H. [Emily Hale]: “Written, I think, the summer of ’37 or ’38, while visiting at Stamford House, Chipping Campden, Glos, where T. S. E. visited my uncle and aunt (Rev. Mrs John Carroll Perkins D.D.) and where we often took long walks in the country about Gloucestershire.” (Shown in Donald Gallup’s exhibition of TSE’s writings, Yale University Library, Feb–Mar 1937, though not listed in the catalogue.)
ts3 (BL): letter to Polly Tandy, dated “4 December [1936]”, on Criterion stationery. “Mrs. Tandy ma’am here’s a Poem I was just inspired to write; yes it came just like that, but as you will see it’s only suitable for adults Cert A. [film classification “for Adults”] and when you read it you will see why. Anyway it will show you I do now & then write a poem for Adults. It is called “THE COUNTRY WALK. | In the form of an Epistle to a Lady.”
ts4 (King’s): signed typescript, apparently the last, sent to Hayward, 6 Dec 1936. In his next London Letter, Hayward wrote: “Mr. Eliot is composing nonsense verses and has written me a verse-epistle about cows”, New York Sun 19 Dec 1936.
ms1 (Valerie Eliot collection): fair copy in fluent hand, probably late 1950s, omitting 5–8, 13–16, 21–24. Untitled.
ms2 (Valerie Eliot collection): fair copy from the 1950s, on flyleaf of the copy of the Practical Cats first edition which contains emendations B. Probably copied from ms1, and with the same omissions. An additional secretarial fair copy typescript is textually identical except in lacking the accent on “sanctúary” (33) and beginning the next line with a capital.
Valerie’s Own Book: fair copy on two pages, with the same omissions as the other mss.
Text from ts4.
Title] not ms1 ‖ Cows ts1 ‖ The Cows: a Pastoral ms2 ‖ Of Cows: A Poem Valerie’s Own Book
[Poems I 294–96 · Commentary I 1197–99]
Subtitle] not ts1, mss ‖ last nine words not ts4 1st reading ‖ An Epistle to Miss E— H— with the humble Compliments of her obliged servant, the Author. ts2 ‖ In the form of an Epistle to a Lady. ts3 Tatlow,] Tatlow. ts4 1st reading
1 Of all] Among ts2 beasts] Beasts ms2
2 land] land, ts1, ts2, ms1
3 most of all] cordially ts3 dislike] distrust mss Cows.] Cows: ts1, ms2, Valerie’s Own Book ‖ Cows— ts2, ts3
4 do not] cannot mss understand.] understand ms1
5–8] not mss
7 bear—] bear, ts2
11 Bus] Bus, ts1–ts3 ‖ Bus— mss
12 stare.] stare! ms2
13–16] not mss
14 scorns:] scorns; ts1
17 But] And ms1 2nd reading I’m terrified] I am afraid ts1–ts3 ‖ I fear the Cows ms1, Valerie’s Own Book ‖ I fear the Cow ms2
18 tweeds,] tweeds Valerie’s Own Book
20 stopping to discuss t
he] pointing out the different ts2, ts3, mss
21–24] not mss
21 mild] mild, ts1, ts3
22 stone they throw,] stick they throw; ts1–ts3
23 City Child,] town-bred child ts1 ‖ town-bred Child ts2, ts3
25 But] BUT ts2 in lanes alone] in fields alone ts1 ‖ in lanes alone ts2 ‖ in lanes alone ts3 ‖ alone abroad mss stroll,] stroll mss
26 O then in vain] Oh then in vain ts1, ms2, Valerie’s Own Book ‖ In vain at me ms1 tossed,] tossed; ts2, ms1 ‖ tost. Valerie’s Own Book
27 their bloodshot] their stupid ms1, ms2 ‖ at me their Valerie’s Own Book roll,] roll— ts1, ts2, ms1, Valerie’s Own Book ‖ roll. ms2
28 boast.] boast! ts2
29 wall,] hedge ts1–ts3, ms1, ms2 ‖ hedge, Valerie’s Own Book five-barred] 5 barred ms1 gate,] gate ts3, mss
30 stray;] stray, ms1, Valerie’s Own Book
31] In vain their prongs may lie in wait, ts1 ‖ Their deadly prongs in vain may wait— ts2 ‖ Their deadly prongs may lie in wait, ts3 ‖ In vain for me they lie in wait— ms1, ms2 ‖ For me in vain they lie in wait— Valerie’s Own Book
32 But] For ts1, ts2, ms2, Valerie’s Own Book away!] away. ts3
32 ^ 33] line space Valerie’s Own Book
33–34] indented ts1, mss
33 could] can ts1–ts3, mss sanctuary] sanctúary ts1, ts3 (superimposed mark to indicate four full syllables, as in TSE’s recordings of Little Gidding II 23), mss
34 any] friendly ts2, ts3, mss
[Poem I 296–97 · Commentary I 1199]
I am asked by my friend, the Man in White Spats
ts1 (BL): letter to Alison Tandy, 6 Jan 1937.
11 the Man in White Spats] my friend 1st reading
A Proclamation
ts1 (Valerie Eliot collection): sent to John Hayward, 27 Jan 1937, asking him to “Please return it with any marginal notes you think fit to make.” The inked name “Roger Roughton” (with florid “R”s) is probably in TSE’s disguised hand.
26 bring down the sky;] proclaim, ts1
A Practical Possum
Printed in an edition of eighty copies in 1947. Only sixty copies had been authorised, and twenty were subsequently destroyed at TSE’s insistence (Gallup 1988 103; see Commentary). No lines indented.
ms1 (Houghton): pencil draft on four notebook leaves ruled in blue, folded roughly in four for posting. Formerly owned by Henry Eliot. The leaves are from the same notebook as the ms of Rannoch, by Glencoe sent by TSE to Henry in 1937. They are accompanied by a typed transcript by Henry, of no independent authority, so not collated below. The margin of ms1 wavers, with only 10 and 12 indented.
ts1 (Houghton): 1–42 only on a single leaf, folded in four for posting, given to Harvard by Henry Eliot’s widow, with “Unpublished poem by T. S. Eliot” in what is presumably her hand. Later, Valerie Eliot added: “It was printed in a private limited edition VE”. A second leaf was presumably once present. The following lines (only) are inset: 5–8, 13–16, 22–23, 32–33. Date unknown.
ts2 (BL): fair copy on two leaves, with drawing at head of a satisfied possum in a pie-dish with a sandwich on a plate. Folded in six and sent to the Tandy family. Date unknown.
Text from ts2. (Both typescripts appear to be more revised than 1947, but only ts2 is complete and was certainly typed by TSE.)
Title] not ms1, ts2 ‖ The Practical Possum 1947, ts1
1 Pye,] Pye* ts1 (asterisk perhaps for a footnote now lost)
3 walked] went ms1, 1947, ts1 Glass] glass ms1, 1947, ts1 Eye] eye ms1, 1947, ts1
[Poems I 298–99 · Commentary I 1200–1204]
4 Clerical Hat] clerical hat ms1, 1947, ts1 gaiters.] gaiters ts1
5 For] And ms1 1st reading
6 observed;] observed: 1947
7 said:] said, ms1, 1947, ts1 “What] What 1947 Charming] charming ms1, 1947, ts1 Smile] smile ts1
8 And isn’t he] He’s remarkably ms1, 1947, ts1 Preserved!”] Preserved”. ms1 ‖ preserved.” ts1 ‖ Preserved. 1947
10 Doing Himself] doing himself ms1, 1947, ts1 very] Very 1947
11 that was] not ms1, 1947, ts1
13 wrong—] wrong, ms1, ts1 ‖ wrong ts1
15 you’d wish] you’d like ms1 1st reading ‖ he’d want ms1 2nd reading (leaving line incomplete) ‖ you’d want 1947, ts1 subtract—] subtract ms1, 1947 ‖ subtract, ts1
17 No one could] You could not ms1, 1947, ts1 Pye,] Pye ms1, 1947
18 Possum] Practical Possum ms1 Soup.] soup ms1 ‖ soup, 1947, ts1
19 dry;] dry. ms1, 1947
20 coop,] coop ms1, 1947 ‖ coop. ts1
21 measles or] the mumps or the ms1, 1947, ts1 croup,] croup ms1, 1947 ‖ croup— ts1
22 let me] I must ms1, 1947, ts1
23 Smell] smell ts1
24 Grocer,] Grocer ms1, 1947, ts1
25 he] not ms1, 1947, ts1 Grocer:] Grocer, ms1, 1947, ts1 “O! Sir!] “O Sir, ms1, ts1 ‖ O Sir, 1947
26 Pye?”] Pye? 1947
27 Grocer:] Grocer, ms1, 1947, ts1 “That] That 1947
29 Onions] onions ms1, 1947, ts1 Spain,] Spain ms1, 1947, ts1 Cheese] cheese ms1, 1947, ts1 Gouda] Gouda, 1947, ts1
30 And a] And som ms1 1st reading Life Buoy] Lifebuoy ms1, 1947, ts1 Soap”,] Soap,” ts1 ‖ Soap 1947 Grocer,] Grocer ms1
31 “Will] Will ms1, ts2, 1947 Pye.”] Pye. ms1, 1947
32 answered: “No! Sir!”] answered No Sir ms1 ‖ answered “No Sir,” ts1 ‖ answered, No Sir. 1947
33 he shut] winked ms1 1st reading ‖ he closed ms1 2nd reading, with shut alt ‖ he winked ts1 Other Eye] other eye 1947, ts1
34 Cheroot] Cheroot, ts1
35 And he] Then he ms1 1st reading ‖ And ms1, 1947, ts1
36 he] not ms1, 1947, ts1 his] the 1947, ts1
37 said: “I am willing to] said, I will ms1 ‖ said, “I will ts1
38 cod liver] codliver 1947
39 some] not ms1, 1947, ts1 Eno’s] Epsom ms1 1st reading ‖ Enno’s ts1
[Poem I 299–301 · Commentary I 1204]
40 Spice] spice ms1, 1947, ts1
41 price.] price; ts1
42 The Smell”,] That, ms1 1st reading ‖ The Smell, ms1, 1947 “will be very nice.”] will be Very Nice. ms1, 1947
43 So] And ms1 1st reading Sigh] sigh ms1, 1947
44 Other Eye.] other eye ms1, 1947
46 by now] not ms1 1st reading Both Eyes] both eyes ms1, 1947
47 But] And ms1 1st reading
48 The] A 1947 Lavender] Practical ms1 1st reading
50 Magical Bag] magical bag ms1, 1947
51 Pye.] Pye ms1, 1947
53 Possum] P. 1947
54 “I] I 1947 wrong;] wrong, ms1, 1947
57 Blossom.] blossom ms1, 1947
58 awake,] awake ms1, 1947
59 Pye,] Pye ms1, 1947 we must now suppose,] as everyone knows ms1 1st reading ‖ we must suppose ms1, 1947
60 Nose] repose / Nose ms1 alts
61 And] From / And ms1 alts ears and] ears to ms1, with and alt braced to second word toes.”] toes. 1947
The Practical Cat
ts1 (BL): typescript enclosed with a letter to Alison Tandy, 15 Nov 1937, headed “This is a minor OPUSS which I had forgotten”.
ts2 (BL): carbon of Geoffrey Tandy’s broadcasting script.
22] And here he is in his best cravat! with “(Shd. be a pixture here)” ts1
The Jim Jum Bears
ts1 (Houghton): on notepaper of Eliot House, Cambridge, autographed, and with a note by Eleanor Hinkley: “Written at request of my grandmother, Susan Hinkley (who was cousin Tom’s aunt), for my three sons · · · for her to put in a picture book she was making for her great-grandsons, for Christmas, I believe in 1937.”
ts2 (Columbia U.): verso of leaf of notepaper of Barnard College, with a version of Invitation to all Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle Cats to Come to the Birthday of Thomas Faber on recto. First four lines in pencil, space apparently having been left for them when the rest of the poem was typed. No terminal punctuat
ion to 5–8, 11–13, 15, 17–19.
[Poems I 301–302 · Commentary I 1204–1206]
Text from ts1.
Title] this ed. ‖ not tss
1 Tricks] tricks ts2
2 have been] are ts2
4 a] the ts2
6 we’re] we’re all ts2
8–10] inset, with 9 further indented ts2
8 “It’s] It’s ts2
9 Bears!] Bears, ts2
10 about!”] about? ts2
12, 14, 16] indented ts2
14 leave Dirty Marks] make dirty marks ts2
15 drop] leave ts2 down] over ts2 1st reading
16 muddy feet] Muddy Feet ts2 hall] Hall ts2
18–20] inset, with 20 further indented ts2
18 “The] Those ts2
19 The] Those ts2
20 all!”] all. ts2
The Marching Song of the Pollicle Dogs
Published in The Queen’s Book of the Red Cross (1939) with Billy M’Caw: The Remarkable Parrot.
ts1 (King’s): carbon copy on a leaf headed by TSE in pencil “First version (Folio I)”, formerly folded for posting. Bound for Hayward with his Practical Cats typescript. A second carbon (BL), has at the head “First draft only” and at the foot “What about Troddling??” and “N.B. Must do a Song for the Jock Russells of the West.” This was sent to the Tandys on 2 Nov 1939, and reads as ts1 except where stated.
ts2 (Houghton): ribbon copy on a leaf with typed note added at head: “(Copy: for the Lord Mayor’s Red Cross Book)” and with printer’s instruction to compositor “10pt Bask[erville]”. The title is underlined in red, and the first word is typed in red. The printer has ringed the start, for a drop capital.
ts3 (Valerie Eliot collection): later fair copy ts on a leaf with “Who dares meddle with me!” added by TSE beneath the revised last line.