The Washington herald., 1913-10-26
WORLDS POETS
TO RISEHERE
So Says Alfred Noyes, British
Bard, as He Sails for
New York.
PLANS LECTURE TOUR
United States Breeding Ground of
Genius, British Poet Laureate
Declares.
eciai Gable to Ths washingtou Herald.

Special Cable to The Washington HeraA.
London. Oct 2S.-Alfred Noyes sailed on
the Imperator on Thursday to make a
six-month lecturing tour throughout the
unit-d States including the James Rus
sell Lowell lectures at Harvard. This
series will consist Of eight addresses ON
The Sea in English Poetry, From
Shakespeare to Swinburne."
Mr.. Noyes, before his departure, said.
1T Is almost impossible to exaggerate
my desire to return again TO America
One might say / would like to be re-
garded as an adopted son of my wife's
country.
when I landed there last March
suppose 1 was tinged with that mental
attitude toward America common to most
Englishmen, namely, that an old country
like this must be superior to one conn
paratiyely young. That idea was soon
annihilated- 1 wish were able TO con-
vey adequately to the insular type OF
Englishman just what America really
stands for.
Surprise to England.
Il. am only a literary man and can
speak only as such. But, speaking from
my viewpoint. the average Englishman
would be amazed IL he realized the ter
rife force of Americas sheer inteIlec-
tuality. Perhaps, naturally, I had my
most enjoyable times at the colleges and
universities. Yale gave me the greatest
day OF my life
But this is not surprising IL you take
into consideration my point of view. One
naturally expects appreciation OF litera-
ture in homes of learning, although was
iaboergasted at the burning interest in
poetry writing shown by the American
student as compared with the average
English undergraduate, whose outlook
mainly is bounded by considerations of
sport.
What surprised me greatly was the
enthusiasm of the average citizen who
makes no pose toward academic culture
and toward the treasures of literature and
poetry particularly. I suppose that a
poet is necessarily somewhat of an egoist,
but I was extraordinarily gratified to
find that the poets who thought my works
popular in England, were those poets best
received by the American audiences
Wanted Serious Poetry.
"I found when attempted to give
lighter matter to them the American
audiences became fdgetty. They didn't
conceal their desire for more serious
WORK. IN Engiand-l suppose II Is ma
tional acknowledgements Is almost a
social crime to quote poetry. In America
II Is a matter OF course. I am no prophet,
but 1t seems to me that the exultant love
OF literature inbred in the present
younger generation of America must pro-
duce world-reaching results.
Americas composite population nsakss
it almost a forcing ground for genius.
and with its present devotion to poetry I
foresee future race OF American poets
such as no country yet has dreamed OF.
Another great impression gained from
my visit to the United States was that
the sheer love Of dollar-hunting has
ceased In America-I am told II has de-
parted even from Canada. ] believe the
future great American will be one pro-
ducing a work of art which win embody
the soul aspirations OF the fellow-citizens
Of his great country.
Already the country is devoid Of that
cynicism which is the principal foe Of
poetry here. The works of the living
poets command by far a greater sale and
appreciation. I saw no signs Of jealousy
among the poets. but rather a desire to
emphasize all that Is best in the works
Of their contemporaries. I am proud TO
speak about poetry to such people"
Mr.. Noyes added that he hoped to
write a number OF poems indicative OF
American life. that pulsating life OF in
lustry and manufacture which Is enough
10 inspire any man."
During his stay in the United States
two Of his one-act plays will be pro-
iuced. ''Rads." In New York. and "Sher-
wood in Chicago -.