Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-11
ARNOLD EMBRACES WHITMAN.
And Spends Pleasant Hour With the
Good Gray Poet Reciting Each
Others Verse.

Sir Edwin Arnold perpetrated surprise
upon Walt Whitman at the home of the
latter in Camden, and the venerable Ameri-
can bard said it made him feel many years
younger and took away many ills of his old
age. In company with John Russell Young
and Mai James B. Pond, Sir Edwin lett
the Lafayette hotel in a cab at noon and
took the ferry to Camden, says the Phila-
dolphin Press. The visit was planned Sun
day night to be surprise, and Walt Whit
man did not receive the slightest intimation
of the coming of the trio.
The aged poet sat in his bedroom. He
was wrapped in big blanket, upon which
his gray beard. that of a typical sage,
flowed. The floor was Uttered with books
and papers, almost blocking the approach
of the great American singer. Sir Edwin
Arnold managed to wade through the liter
erary debris, and stood in the full light of
the window before his host.
An inexpressible flood of delight passed
over the face of the American poet as he
beheld his great English confrere. Sir Ed
win rushed toward him and exclaimed ::
''My dear friend, l am delighted to see
you.''
Arnold, did not expect you: how kind
and considerable" was the surprised excla-
nation of the aged poet as he held forth his
hand. But there was more than the usual
handshaking. The greeting was a literal
embrace, for the two poets loved each
other in the strictest literary sense. Sir
Edwin has always been infatuated with
Walt Whitman's poetry, and the American
bard finds equal delight in the production
of the former. 1t was the second time that
the two had met. Sir Edwin Arnold's visit
TO this country two years ago was made ex-
pressly to see Walt Whitman. When the
two poets had disembraced Walt Whitman
received John Russell Young and Maj. Pond
with an ELUSIVE greeting.
For thenext hour and half the talk ran
fast and without intermisSion- The Amerl-
can maker of verse had lots to tell and so
did Sir Edwin, and the two INDUCED in a
literary feast. Sir Edwin was sorry that
his friend was not in the best of health.
IF l had hold of you,n said Sir Edwin
pointing his finger affec ionately, ''Id soon
get you well. You are not sick; why, if l
could only have you L wager that l could
make you young again. Seventy-three
years that's not much. You're certainly
good for fifteen years more and during that
time you can keep me delighted with books
of new verse;
eOh what beautiful things you say of
me- responded the aged poet, land, Ar
mold, how can l repay you for that splendid
little tribute to me at the Lotus club. You
don't know how it pleased me. 1t stirs the
cookie of my blood to read the nice things
you say Of me.h
The happy two nestled alongside of each
other and began talking about American
and English poetry.
ARNOLD, we're a lively, hustling people,"
said the American bard, land we're too
practical yet to appreciate the full senti-
ment of our verse. What wealth has
been written. Yes, we have not the high
poetical spirit of the Japanese in this coun-
try Over there in Japan there is so much
sentiment SO much that is IDEAL
H,yir cnjI he hpna1 that tho 1aU
would not be far distant when the people of
America would have a very soft poetical
glow to their temperament. Americans"
said he, ''are great people of remarkable
intellect. What future they will have"
Sir Edwin and his host next fell to mus
ing over the great men of the country.
They talked about Washington, Lincoln
and Grant, whose character and deeds Sir
Edwin avowed he was fond of always
reading about. Then the pair had a literary
treat by talking of Emerson, Longfellow
and other American poets. Each quoted
many selections. Sir Edwin then asked
his dear friend Whitman if he could not
recite from memory some OF the latter's
gems. -
Have you some of my poetry in your
memory" exclaimed the aged poet well
l will guarantee to be able to recite at least
half of what you have written,' replied Sir
Edwin playfully.
Now let me try you.''
Sir Edwin then stood up, when he was
asked to recite portion Of Walt Whitman's
verse on the death of Lincoln. The famous
English bard's eyes twinkled and he began:
Come early and soothing Death,
UnGulate round the world serenely arriving,
arriving.
In the day. in the night, to all. to each,
Sooner or later. delicate Death.
Sir Edward kept on reciting until tears
filed the eyes of the American poet, and
he reached forth his hand thankfully. Sir
Edwin recited several more selections and
then his host repeated many lines from Sir
Edwin's works.
Before the party arose to take their de-
parture, Walt Whitman had three volumes
brought to him By servant. Each volume
was very large and contained all of his pro-
auctions in verse and prose. He jotted
down his autograph on each, and as he
handed them to his guests spoke like play
mate TO his companions: II won't say that
l will write to you fellows-it's all inside
the book
God bless you and keep you safe and
we'll" responded Sir Edwin. and the visit
came to an end.
Sir Edwin spoke thus of Walt Whitman:
''Great, good poet that he is; he stands
next TO Emerson"