500, South Westlake,
Los Angeles 57.

18 August 1954.

Dear Mr. Pound,

I have, at last, found the Patrology at the
right place and had a look through it. Benjamin Minor alone
has 62 pages of two columns each; it is a work that will
take lot of time but I am settling down to it at once.

May I ask you this rather important question:
How should I proceed? I know from your letters it is meant
for publication in Carter's Review; do you want me to do it
literally (as far as possible that is) or is it to be a
moderately free translation? I gather from the first few
chapters I have read that passages of philosophical nature
are so simple and precise in style, they would not leave
much freedom to the translator.

Another point is this: You do me great honour
in trusting me with this kind of work, and I only hope you
will not find too many deficiencies and faults in my transla-
tion, as far as my English goes. However, it would relieve
my anxiety to know that it will be you (not Carter) who will
make the necessary corrections and put a finishing touch to
the translation.

The librarian of the Loyola University here
has shown me a book with the following title-page:

The Cloud of Unknowing
by an English Mystic of XIV century, (anonymous)
Comment on the Cloud by Father Augustine Baker,
Edited by Dom Justin, London, McCann.

In the introduction, its author (also un-
known) says: "He (I think, he refers to Father Baker) also
wrote *Benjamin* which is a free translation of *Benjamin Minor*
by Richard St. Victor.

I wonder if you have come across that book
"Benjamin" by Baker and if you think it of any importance
in view of the work we are undertaking now. Should you be
interested, I will examine the text of that introduction
more closely. I spent a whole day in that library (it is

Comparative Literature

A QUARTERLY JOURNAL PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
AT EUGENE, OREGON

WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE COMPARATIVE LITERATURE SECTION
OF THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

EDITORIAL BOARD

HELMUT HATZFELD
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

VICTOR LANGE
CORNELL UNIVERSITY

HARRY LEVIN
HARVARD UNIVERSITY

AUSTIN WARREN
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

RENE WELLEK
YALE UNIVERSITY

EDITOR

CHANDLER B. BEALL
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

WERNER P. FRIEDERICH
UNIVERSITY OF
NORTH CAROLINA

Sept. 30, 1954

Mr. S. V. Jankowski
500 S. Westlake
Los Angeles 57, Calif.

Dear Mr. Jankowski:

I have read with interest your paper on "Ezra Pound's
Translation of Sophocles" and would be willing to publish a
revised version of it as a review, among our Book Reviews, rather
than as an article. It really does not fit in with our policy
on articles; and it is primarily a review in fact.

By way of revision, I would suggest that you make
it much shorter, focus it more sharply, tidy up the English
presentation, etc. I have penciled a few annotations on the
manuscript . . .

With all good wishes and kind regards, I remain

CBB/mn

500, South Westlake
Los Angeles 57.
California.

28 Nov. 1954

Dear Sir,

Mr Pound has very kindly informed me that
you are interested in the translation of Richard St.Victor's
Benjamin Minor, a translation I am now working at.

This classic of the 13th century has, as far
as is known, never been done in English by anyone. If a trans-
lation sees the light one way or other, it will be due to
Mr Pound's inspiration. My part of the work is imperfect and
wants polishing, but I am going to do the whole. I am now
almost half-way through and I shall be glad to send you further
technical details, concerning my work that you may require.

Hoping to hear from you,
yours faithfully,

S.V. Jankowski

Mr. Frederick MORGAN
The Editor
of The Hudson Review
439, West St.
NEW YORK 14.

Urbana

Die undecimo ante Calendas Apriles.

Dear Mr Pound,

Thank you for letter.

You are perfectly right, of course, and I apologize for
my hysterical note.

I had the honour and pleasure of Mr. Mullins'
visit, and we spent last evening on an enlightening conversa-
tion. Mr. Mullins told me his views on my translation of the
last few chapters of R.S.V. which I have read to him, and he
apparently found both the Language and the tone quite satis-
factory. I feel, however, that, when I have finished, I shall
have to re-write at least some chapters so as to make them
understandable to non-theologians.

very sincerely yours

Urbana 6 May 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

Thank you so much for the news. I expect to get the SHENANDOAH this week-end. I am not going to town though. It has been a long time, but, may-be it is going to be a good beginning.

McNaughton has sent me La SIBYLLE with a letter which I enclose. I asked him some time ago if I could not give him a hand, but it looks as if were trying to get it off his shoulders altogether. Still, I could tackle this job, I think, but not before I have done with B.M. McNaughton does not say what he has done so far and how much. I would have to find out.

On the other hand, if you could and would kindly suggest something for me to translate from GREEK, I would certainly enjoy taking up this sort of work.

Thank you for your valuable support and intervention re that article on the Aussies. Without your opinion it would never have appeared in print.

Urbana, 13 May 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

1. Of course I never suggested to Mc N that I might or would like to take the job over from him. I have asked him if he would like me to give him a hand and eventually help disen-tangle a difficulty, so I was quite surprised to get the whole text in French with a haphazard proposition of my doing the whole or sending it back. I don't like that slap-dash letter of his either, without address, without date and without signature; also the ungracious way of addressing me "Dear Yankowski". I believe, I am at least 30 years (if not more) older than he.

Anyway, as he does not even mention how much he has done so far, I have written to him asking for an exact information. The idea is, "If you want me to carry on with this job of yours, how far have you got to?"

2. I have now read Zielinski's essay; Ziel. always had that very thorough and wise approach to Judaism, as a historical source of Christianity; he also wrote a book under the title "Judaism and Hellenism" in which he deals with the subject very much in the same manner. All spirit and setting of the old testament is entirely foreign to the European mind. I am afraid, this approach will not be acceptable to the church. Incidentally, I have just come across a passage in R.S.Victor (Chapter 75) where R.S. speaks slightly about Aristotle and Plato and dwells on the "idolatry" of the ancient world. La Sibylle is or rather could be a kind of revelation to any orthodox catholic or un-catholic university.

3. Thank you for suggesting my consulting Fleming as to the article on the Trachiniae. I suppose they might try to do something about it in Austr.

4. As for Benj.M. I have it all in one copy, but the more neatly typewritten top-paper I have been putting in your hands, as you wanted me to do, ever since the time Goacher was over here. I could do the revision of the whole on the copy in my possession, but as I shall probably have to make emendations on the top-sheets as well, my humble request is:

Could I now have them back, say, the next time I call at the hospital? The first ten chapters (checked by Fra Vianney) I have got here with me. The others are all numbered from 11 to 70 in sets of ten. I am sure, some of the chapters will have to be rewritten right through. Please, don't bother, should any of the papers be missing, I will write them over again, as long as I know what is missing. I do hope I am not causing you trouble; Il parait, je suis pas a même de l'éviter. En tout cas, my humble apologies.

Please, turn over -

VOTERE VERRIA

This does not sound Slavonic or Germanic. There
is a Slavonic word "vetcher" - evening, and a German "Vetter" - male
cousin, but neither has the form ending with e.

Since you decide that it is neither Italian nor Spanish
nor Rumanian, it could only be Latin with one correction:

vetera verria

I am probably wrong, because Verria means just "the festivals
appointed by Verres"(the one of Sicily) and in that case the whole
phrase would mean "the ancient festival appointed by Verres".
Perhaps it is a play on words and could be shortened to "ancient
festivals". I can't tell without knowing what the context is.

Urbana, 26 May 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

I have not mailed the letter to Rajshari *yet*. I have been thinking it all over and am still rather concerned about the whole thing despite your optimistic and, indeed, most kind view. I also had some doubts as to the wording of the letter, so I think I ought to show you the letter before sending it.

Please, be so very kind as to read it through and tell me if you consider it satisfactory. If you judge decide that some passages are superfluous or inappropriate, kindly use your pencil. I may not get the feel of the whole situation, as it really presents itself, and I also think there should be a correlation between your letter and mine.

Mr. and Mrs. Stancioff have returned, and I am moving to-morrow to Mrs. Kefauver (not far from here) for a period of two weeks or, may be, a little longer.

My new address from now on is:

c/o Mrs. M. Kefauver
Box 170 A
Route 2,
Frederick,
Maryland.

Notwithstanding my misgivings, I felt quite elated by your inspiring attitude last Friday. I don't know how to express my gratitude for the trust you have been putting in me all these months.

Nomen - omen. You said it was lucky to be going from Stancioff to Pakistan. May I complete it: From E.P. to E.P. (East Pakistan). Sounds like the Delphic oracle.

c/o Mrs.M.Kefauver
Box 170 A
Route 2,
FREDERICK.
Md.

1 June 1955.

Dear Mr Pound,

Thank you for scheme of letter very much nearer the bone. I realize I am still on the English side of the fence and have still to learn from you the shock and stroke of the lingo. You are unquestionably taking risks by recommending me, but the letter has been posted. If the whole thing turns out profitiously, I feel I shall have to work out a scheme under your guidance; your reference in the letter to the "University Reform" indicates that I should have a complete and detailed plan of action; but it will probably be very much easier to find common language in a civilized centre in Pakistan than it is in this part of the world. I feel like a gambler though and try aequam rebus in arduis servare mentem.

I have been handicapped a bit in my work on R.S.V. because of all these changes. I am going to stay here till June 12th and am concerned about immediate future. Maybe the Stančioff family will offer me hospitality for some time, it would be a 'temporary measure but of great value to me. She is the same angel as she has been. I have met him for the first time and found his knowledge of Europe, his quick and sound appreciation of what goes on in the world and his personal charm quite refreshing. The atmosphere of that house is quite unique. At dinner conversation is usually carried on in 4-5 languages: (all of them on equal level): English, French, Italian, occasionally Bulgarian and with me Mr.S tries Polish. O yes, he also speaks quite good Russian, so we both had quite a bit of it. There are still islets of good, sterling civilization in America.

No reply from McNaughton. I suppose I shall have to send him back La Sybille.

My kindest regards to Mrs.Pound.

yours very sincerely,

Urbana/Frederick

19 July 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

I have tried twice to get through to Wash.
lately, but am still being held up by that bus-strike and
the prospect of being eventually unable to reach the Gallia
Transalpina and the hospital. It seems that it may be back
to normal some time next week, so I am hopeful.

I am revising the translation. The first 30
chapters needed to be emended in many points. Mrs.M.S. is
giving me a hand. I feel now sure I shall have it all in a
completely finished form before long.

My question is: When it is all ready, shall I
take it to you or send it to Morgan, as you suggested once
upon a time? As far as I see it, Morgan will probably be
interested in some excerpts only for the use of Hudson Re-
view or otherwise. Am I right?

You have also mentioned some excerpts from
other works of R.S.V. Shall I get them from you in due
course?

I am writing a biographical note on R.S.V. and
expect to find some material about his works, Benjamin
Minor in the first place.

I hope I shall soon be rid of the biblical
atmosphere you made me breathe for the last 7 - 8 months.
I am reading that book of horrors (the old testament) and
feel almost sorry for R.S.V. and the precious time he
wasted on eulogizing the little Jewish saints of the time
of the cruel, vindictive, jealous, cunning Jehova.

Urbana Md.

14 August 1955.

Dear Mr Pound,

Dr. Itrat -Husain will probably have received my letter in which I have asked him for some details such as, I assume, it will be necessary for me to know. I have mentioned the travelling costs and asked when he wants me to arrive. I also wrote at some length about the books (all those indicated by you), made a few references to my so called classical background and gave him some personal data. I trust he will not change his mind and that next week I shall get his definite placet.

The Stan-ffs are extremely interested in the whole thing. God knows how and when I shall be able to repay their kindness; they keep me here, and I just sit and wait.

My revision of R.S.V. under Mrs.M.S.'s guidance is nearing its end. If only she could spend less of her 24 hours' day in the kitchen!

People here both in the west and east don't talk but shout. Ivan S. says the Americans have a higher pitch. But why must everybody bellow, even under a civilized roof? I have learned in the British world to argue in a subdued voice, and I always feel humiliated by this roaring method. Is it that they (the Americans) must shout because they have little to say?

Perhaps it would not be irrelevant to quote here a charming passage from Benjamin Minor about discretion: "For, indeed, discretion guides in its course the sun of intellectual reality, that inner eye of the soul, the intention of the mind; it gives rise to refined reasoning and stimulates it; it tones down all that sisterhood of virtues, and anyone of them which does not yield to discretion nor is prepared to acquiesce in its counsel, quickly forfeits the designation of virtue".

I am so terribly sorry I cannot be in Wash. as often as I would like to, chiefly because of unsatisfactory transportation. It is an interesting experience just the same: The world is spellbound (and ruled in a way) by the USA. USA is administered by Eisenhower, Washington (the CAPITAL of USA) is governed by Mr Wolfson. Is not BAAL these days more powerful than Jehova?

I am sure you will not refuse to help me draw up a schedule of my future work; I mean the English literature as such and its history. What history of Eng. and American literature should I read? What to emphasize, and what to leave out as unimportant?

yours very sincerely
Slaw

Urbana - FREDERICK

31 Aug 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

I wrote to you the other day asking about
the few chapters in Benj. Major which might be added,
because I understand that you have them. <u>I have not</u>
<u>received</u> the note you are referring to.

Except for one chapter which contains an
intricate interpretation of a quotation from the new
of translation is finished.
testament (a play on words), all my work at this stage it
is just typing. I have been through it all with Mrs.M.S.
Only an ecclesiastic can help me out of that difficulty
in Chapter 82. I wrote to Fra Vianney ages ago, but he
is evidently too busy now that he is going to be or-
dained. Mrs.St. who is now in Washington,has promised
to see another holy man in the matter.

Thank you for R. Sharrock's address.

My introductory note is not quite ready
yet. Typing of 100 pages, especially when done in a
critical mood, is a very lengthy affair.

Prof. Radhakrishnan, the Vice President of
India says that "by neglecting the inner subjectivity
of man, by merging ourselves in the life of the world,
we confuse being with having." - No sign of life from
Itrat-Husain.

Urbana 27 Sept. 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

Have received the list of books for Itrat. Thank you.
I may have to see some of them in the Library to get the exact
titles, if he is to order them himself. I gather from his last
letter that he does not ask me to order or buy the books here,
but probably wants to make his own choice, when he gets the list.
"we will be able to import any number of books that you may like
from America" - "...prepare a list of books that you would like
us to order" etc.

But I am sending him your copy, as you require.

Would you be so kind as to suggest a good History of
English Literature? (Also American), I think, I ought to have
such a *textbook* as a book of REFERENCE, - not as material for le-
cturing.

To prepare a series of 2 or 3 lectures I am going to
work on your books which you mentioned in the beginning: ABC of
Reading, Spirit of Romance and , I think, Guide to Kulchur.
But, do you think I should concentrate *ef* on a particular period
in English literature, and which?

Urbana 29 Sept. 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

mentioned:

MENCIUS

WADDELL

FROBENIUS

VON HUMBOLDT

In one of your earlier letters this month you

As I do not find these names in your list which you have kindly sent me, may I ask what particular works of these authors you have in mind.

Frobenius is, of course, "Kulturgeschichte Afrika's" and Waddell "Sumerian Civilization" or some such title, but what of van Humboldt?

As for Mencius and Confucius could you suggest a good volume containing a thorough study of Confucian philosophy and of Mencius (respectively), for me to make a serious study of it and also for the use of the students.

I have, of course, in the list, your Analects and Unwobbling Pivot.

Stan

Urbana, 30 Sept. 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

I DO NOT INTEND to specialize in hind-foot of
any lit/ caterpillar. I am quite prepared to FIGHT against
routine, evasion of the essential and the belief that
"the" world ends at the
Cliffs of Dover".

You have kindly pointed out to me the sources
from which I will draw the essential. But the reason of my
query is very simple. I need a _book of reference_, just as
I need a pocket note-book and a pencil, a book of telephone
numbers and a calendar, a vitamin-tablet and a handkerchief.
Somebody may ask me the first name of Romeo's grandfather,
or whether Pope was actually a collector of butterflies, or
"was Jane Austen a spinster or a mother of six, or both?"

I am certainly not going to study and try to memorize this
or any kind of encyclopedia, but I don't like to feel that I may be
asked a textual question to which I may not know the textual
answer. So it would be useful, I think, to have a handbook
within reach to screen, in case of dire necessity, my igno-
rance of facts and dates.

The pamphlets I got at the Pakistani Embassy
say East Pakistan - hot and humid, malaria, typhoid fever,
dysentery, cholera. Do you think I will survive?

My homage and kindest regards to Mrs. Pound and yourself

Stan

P.S. Did you get my yesterday's
note or was the U.S. Post Office
closed because of Iom Kipur?

Urbana 19 Oct. 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

Thank you for the list of "New Directions" books.
I am thrilled by the news that the Women of Trachis is out
at last. You have done me an obviously undeserved honour by
making that note of mine appear in the book. It is a great
step forward in my slow and clumsy efforts to find some form
of self-expression, and a unique introduction to the writing
world, which I owe to you alone.

It is surprising, how amid all my troubles here
you have influenced all my efforts, however inadequate, both
in the intellectual and material sense. I know how much I owe
you, but I don't want to sound commonplace, so I'd better say
no more. Please, judge me by my the sincerity of my literary
efforts (if any), not by my letters.

I have been thinking about those excerpts from
R.S.V. Most of them are of your choosing, I have added a few
more. There are 25 in all. Now that I have arranged and copied
them out nicely, it occurs to me that perhaps this number should
be reduced. Even, if I have them done on two separate pages,
in the beginning and at the end of the book (12 and 12), the
best quotations are bound to lose their impact in all that
mass, and the reader will not care to concentrate on them.
I wonder, if you would agree, that it might serve our purpose
better to cut the number of excerpts by half and quote only
the most forceful ones. As, however, I don't want to lose any
of those little gems of your making, would it not be a good
idea to put, say, five most emphatic sayings on the first page,
and all the others in the conclusion of the book. Please, ex-
cuse my going into these details, but I have always sought
your advice and your guidance in matters regarding the transla-
tion of Richard, and I would not like to do anything rash
that might later come as a surprise to you.

My homage to Mrs. Pound and yourself

Stan

Urbana 24 Nov. 1955

Dear Mr Pound,

Re the quotations;

1/ There are 18 quotes, chosen by you, to which I added six. May I suggest, that all your quotes be given together on the first page and the words added "translated by E.P." I think, it should be made known, who is the driving force behind this first attempt of digging up Richard. If you approve, it will, obviously, enhance the value of the whole work and do me a great honor. I would put my quotes at the bottom of the list or at the end of the book.

2/ "There is a certain fire within us". You complete it by OVID's

"est Deus in nobis, agitante
calescemus in illo".

Would it not be good to give the source just like in case of quotes from Dante? I can't think, where this line comes in, in Ovid.

3/ Ne simplicitas nostra sit frigida". - Is your translation, "Our simplicity should not be frigid" or "Let not our simplicity be frigid"?

4/"Irascimini" - Let her get up. Who is meant by "her"? Is it "ira"? (ira, accensio sanguinis circum cor - the warming up of blood about the heart). I am a bit confused here, because this word is quoted by Richard from the bible, and "irascimini" being in the 2-nd person plural, the Douai version of the old testament has it, "*Be ye angry*".

I think, that is all. Finis coronat opus.

I will also try to get Cantos 90 from Kasper and

Horton.

As soon as I get your final word, I shall be ready to *mail* the two manuscripts to N.Y. and Southampton in the course of the week.

Mes hommages

1030, Westlake Avenue
Los Angeles
Calif.

12 Dec. 1955

My very dear Maestro,

The last time I called, I knew I was leaving
very soon and I spoke to you about it. I was not sure, however,
of the exact date and, at any rate, I expected to see you and
Mrs. Pound before leaving and say good-bye, which it was obviously
my duty to do. When I had done my packing and set about to make
all the necessary arrangements for going west, I was brought
to Wash. in Stancioff's car on the day of my departure, too late to
drive to the hospital and shake hands. Please, forgive me. I am
sure, there was also something more to it: I was afraid to face
what to me would have been a distressing moment, when I thought
that I was going to call on you for the last time. I hated to
think of it and I hate to admit it even now. I must tear myself
away from the most constructive and radiant episode of my life.

On my way to San Francisco I thought all the
time of Itrat's last letter in which he said that he was going
to write *definitely* in the beginning of December. It seemed clear
that he should be given one more chance to prove the veracity of
his statement. I could not stay one week longer in Urbana, even
though Stancioff mentioned it to me with his usual understanding
and sense of humour. In Frisco, however, I called up on the phone
my friends in Los Angeles who, forthwith, asked me to come over
and stay with them until the Pakistani decision came through.
I, therefore, decided to stay to the end of the year, but I am
not going to write any more letters to Itrat. If nothing happens
before the 5th-6th January, I shall consider myself entirely free
to act as it suits me best. You will surely agree that I have been
very patient.

If, on the other hand, he sends me a formal acceptance
of my application and instructions as to the journey, the money
to pay the travel expenses and the rest of it, I may have to go back to Washington in order to call at the embassy and then sail
from N.Y. This would be grand, because I would be given another
opportunity of visiting you and Mrs. Pound. Believe it or not,
this was the main factor to influence my decision to cancel my
December sailing to Australia and postpone it till January. Richard says, "One does not give up one's loving possessions without pain".

I have at length mailed the two manuscripts to the
editors: Morgan and Sharrock. In the introduction there is a reference to Dante and to EP Canto 90.

Fleming writes that he likes my translations of various longer excerpts from Richard which I sent him early in September for the next issue of Meanjin. It will be the issue containing Canto 90. He says that you alone will be getting a couple of air-mail copies of the Meanjin, while my copy will arrive by surface mail. He also asks me to write for the *New Times*, which I am sure, it will be worth doing.

My present address at least till 7th January - as above.
Les hommages a Madame et Vous-même
Stan

Flat 1,
6 Reed Street,
Cremorne.
Sydney.

20 Feb. 1956.

Dear Maestro,

I am sending you Noel's note just to show why there will again be some delay in the printing of R.S.V. The script with quotations is complete, spick and span, in Noel's hands. As translator, I am, of course, more interested in its printing in the EDGE than anybody and I am now making efforts to come to Noel's rescue. In 1954, that is before my American adventure, I would have been able to send him the missing £100 by return post, but now things are different. I have only a part-time job and only think of how I shall be financially able to get out of Australia and sail back to civilization.

However, I think I shall manage to scrape up some £50 within a month or so, the rest will have to wait. The Catholic groups here are or pretend to be penniless, so nothing is to be expected from that quarter.

Have received the miniature Italian edition of your excerpts from Richard, sent by Vanni Sch. A charming little thing, well arranged, neatly done, on good paper, and there is a touch of Italy about it. (Not like the shoddy, austerity stuff on which TRAX has been printed by Neville Spearman). Thank you for having it sent to me. I want to thank Vanni and to ask him, if he could possibly send me one or two more copies, but his address on the envelope is almost illegible (Milano). May I ask you to send me his address?

Have almost completed the translation of "De moribus Brachminorum".

My best to Mrs.Pound and
to yourself

I have also informed Mr. & Mrs. Stancioff of my
desire to return.

influence on my further activities. I
got myself into a terrible mess. My tribute
and best regards to you and Mrs. Pound
affectionately

15, Lindon Street
Highgate Hill,
Brisbane.
AUSTRALIA.

17 March 1956.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Pound,

Thank you for your letter which reached me
shortly after my arrival. This has been a busy season but un-
productive. I will try to explain briefly my position and I
trust you will be tolerant in your judgment.

I have come back here with a feeling of des-
pair. I have no doubt at present that my decision to leave
America and go back to Australia was an awful mistake, due to
an excess of sentimentality. The more I saw of the Australians
on board ship, the more I felt like an exile banished a second
time to the remotest outback of the world. And now that I have
finally returned to the places I had never expected to see
again, America's vitality and openmindedness to things great
and new, her unsurpassed standard of life and the drive be-
hind it all to "get things done", has opened my eyes to the
backwardness and slow pace of the shabby Australian city-life.
Australia seemed a paradise to me once, when I arrived here
from England in search of a new life and new activity. It was
a step forward in my lonely existence. The migration from
Australia to the USA was another move forward to a far greater
goal. But the return to Australia has been a step backward,
however justified may have been the reasons for an action of
this kind. I feel, I have made a foolish mistake coming back
here to places which have lost to me all their meaning and
which, after America, seem to me no more than a primitive,
slummy back-yard.

I have called on the department od education
here and I could probably get a teaching job in a month or
two but I feel no enthusiasm for the idea. More than that,
I feel depressed at the thought that I should stay on this
continent for ever.

There can be only one logical consequence of this
reasoning: I will scrape up every penny still in my possession
to pay for my fare and go back to you. There won't be enough,
so I shall have to work here for a period of six months but
by the end of the year I am sure I will be back in the States
again. I was spoiled by the easy life I had at the Stancioff's
and their kindness and tolerance. I realize that I had never
made a real effort to get myself firmly established in America.
It will have to be quite different this time. America has taught
me a lesson: in Maryland I was a so called intellectual, too-
ling on the translation of Richard; in Los Angeles the last
few weeks I worked with pick and shovel at the rate of $1.50
per hour. I think I have thus passed my examination for the
status of a complete man. I feel more fit than ever and am
afraid of nothing.

Believe me, Maestro, I need at least a few words
from you very badly. I know they will have an electrifying

Flat 1,
6 Reed Street,
Cremorne.
Sydney.
AUSTRALIA.

29 April 1956.

Dear Mrs. Pound,

I write in a matter which is causing me
a deep concern and I ask you and EP kindly to pardon
my mentioning it.

I wrote to EP several times from California after I had left Washington and also shortly after my landing in Australia. Yet I never had any word from Him and I have a feeling of being guilty of something and that EP must have some reason for not writing, although I can't think of any such reason.

I have tried to explain in one of my
letters why I had to leave so abruptly and why I was
unable, very much against my will, to pay you my farewell
visit. It worried me more than I can tell, but I am sure
you were fully aware of the position I was in, those last
few days with the Stančićoffs.

EP has been the inspiration of my work
on Richard and after a year of an enlightening and in-
spiring contact with Him I don't see how I could under-
take any literary task either now or in the future
without an appeal to his opinion and his guidance. If
there is something in the way, please, do not hesitate
to tell me, I would be so happy if I knew what I could
and should do about it. Or is it all just a work of
my imagination?

I have now settled down in Sydney and in-
tend to stay here usque ad finem. But, as I wrote before,
I am determined to make another try and go back to the
States as soon as I earn the money to pay my passage.
All this may sound somewhat bewildering but it is true.
I realize that I am an exile like so many other people
but to be a second time exiled to this outback of the
world and be voluntarily entombed here for ever is more
than I can bear. America may suffer from her peculiar
notion of modern "culture" but she is all the same an
experimental field on an enormous scale and, even if thing
are moving the wrong way, I think something new may
always spring up before we know of it. Here nothing ever
happens.

I now have some experience of America
and I hope to be able to work out something before I get
there. I have already made contacts with a number of
people and my future job is in the making. The day I shall
ask your and EP's permission to visit you again will
mark a new phase in my life, I am sure of that. I expect
to be back by the end of the year.

Morgan has promised to take up the question
of publication of Richard with the Princeton University
Press. He also promised to write me about it in a few
weeks. I wonder...

Every good wish to you and to EP from
Shanyang

May 3rd 1956.

Dear Mr Pound,

I have received a letter from Fr. Morgan, dated March 19th. Here is the exact copy of it:

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS
Princeton New Jersey
*
Frederick MORGAN, Field Editor
65 East 55th Street, New York 22, N.Y.
Plaza 5-9880

March 19, 1956.

Dear Mr. Yankowski,

Your translation of "Benjamin Minor" is under serious consideration by the Princeton University Press. We have one question to put to you in this connection. Is the Latin text of this work now available? Has it ever been published at all, and if so how recently and by whom?

What is contemplated is an edition which would include the Latin text along with your translation. I don't want you to get your hopes too high, as no decision has yet been reached, but I myself feel that we should publish the book.

***** *************

I have replied giving Mr. Morgan all the details regarding Migne's Patrologia and the volume containing Richard's works. In case the Princeton University Press should have any difficulty, owing to the special quality and value of the whole set, in borrowing the volume in question, I have suggested to Mr. Morgan to approach the Franciscan "Holy Name College" of the Catholic Univ. of America. I got the volume from them and they let me keep it for nearly a year.

Trusting you and Mrs. Pound are well,
my tribute and kind regards,

19 July 1956.

Dear Mr. Pound,

I have looked through Ambrose - De Moribus Brachminorum and would gladly get down to it, but the question is: Cui bono? Do you believe it will have a better chance than Richard of being published?

The Princeton Univ. Press has decided against publishing Richard, and Morgan turned the Ms. over to a friend of his, of the publishing firm of Farrar, Straus and Cudahy in New York, after having discussed the matter with him. Morgan says he wants to see the book published. However, I have not had a word from that firm yet, in spite of my letters.

I have approached a catholic firm here and the matter is under consideration, but I have not met with much enthusiasm. They think it a poor business proposition. Not a good seller. However, I am trying on all sides, and am keeping in touch with the Catholic press here re the publication of Richard.

I still have only a part time job here and the American Consulate is still trying to find out if during my stay in the US I was not in collision with the law.

With very best regards to Mrs. Pound and
to yourself,

Flat 1
6 Reed Street
Cremorne.
Sydney.

11 Dec. 1956

Dear Maestro,

Since I got your message re Plotinus, I have
been looking for publications you mention.

I don't find the Paris edition at the Public
Library or the University Library, the only two civilized
sources here to be consulted in a matter of this kind.

I gather from yours that you suggest that
I should attempt the translation of passages IV. 3, 11 and
that it should be printed along with the original, the first
brief bilingual Plotinus (Greek - English).

It's an inspiring idea, and I feel quite happy
about it.

However, so far I have not been able to lay
my hands on any Plotinus *in Greek* at all, but am still sear-
ching in bookshops.

The only bilingual English edition (Loeb Classi-
cal Library) does *not* include Plotinus.

Have seen the McKenna translation; it sounds
good to me, but I don't feel competent to judge of it.

You say that Eliot thinks Fabers will frame
your note approving their promise to reprint a transl. of
Plotinus; does this mean that Faber promises to print a bi-
lingual text of the passages you mention in the letter?
And that if I do it, they will take care of it?

* * *

Yes, we did hook interest in Benj. Minor by
connecting with Rachel and Lia in Purgatorio XXVII, 101.

I have again polished my Benj. with the aid of
a friend here, who is an English scholar.

Stook tells me he can't say yet whether he will
be in a position to print *all* the Benj.Min. I so wish he did,
we might then get it reprinted anywhere in book form much more
easily. I know his trouble. He guarantees the Zielinski issue,
The Edge No.2, but I am almost sure he won't have the money
to carry on, unless he finds a rich American uncle, which is
very unlikely.

He wrote me The Sybil would be out by the end
of November but it has not reached me yet.

When (and if) I find Plotinus in original, I will

write again.

I enclose a cutting which, strange to say, ap-
peared in the only and the largest Sydney daily paper. It ends
on a weak note but it is interesting as a document.

Noël and my very best wishes to you and
to Mrs. Pound

Sydney, 5 Jan. 1957

Dear MAESTRO,

Many, many thanks for good news. I still
have the brochure of the NEW DIRECTIONS, announcing the
publication of TRAX in fall-winter 1955-56. I wrote to
them from Urbana asking to send me two or three copies,
and that was the end of it. So it really comes out of
the blue. It is for me to congratulate you on this event,
I know how patiently you were waiting for TRAX to appear
in book form. I must also thank you once again for let-
ting me make my first public "pronouncement" in the shade
of your Name. Cordiali saluti!

re Ambrose.

I have found Ambrose here and have already
done two pages of Demoribus Brachminorum. When it is
completed, we will print it in the EDGE. I am also colle-
cting material for an article on Matteo Ricci, the jesuit
missionary to China in 17th century. I have found his
diary here with a very interesting account of the customs
and the cultural life of the Chinese in those days.

re R. St.V.

Am putting finishing touches to Benjamin Minor
and waiting for a signal from Stock. He will print Benj.
entire, probably in No.5 or maybe No.4. So things are
moving, thank God, owing to his energy and fighting spi-
rit. But money is his trouble. Subscriptions are gradu-
ally coming in - from U.S., not from Australia. I have
told him he 9/- for a copy is far too much. (The Ameri-
can reviews and magazines imported here never exceed 5/-)
So nobody here buys The Edge, and those interested read
it in libraries and bookshops. But Stock has his own
business approach to this matter, so I wouldn't like to
interfere. But However, we must all support Edge, so our
request from this continent to you and your friends is:
The more people you can threaten, blackmail, cajole etc.
into taking out subscriptions, even half-yearly or
quarterly or even single copies, the better. We have at
last our own periodical on this globe, and that is saying
a good deal. Stock will be proud of what you say about
the level of Australian periodicals, though you surely
don't mean "periodicals" in the plural.

re Plotinus.

I have found Plotinus, the only Plotinus
available in the city of Sydney. It is a beautiful vo-
lume, containing opera omnia and arranged and edited by
Marsilius Ficinus in Basilea in 1615. Text bilingual:
Greek and Latin. You must write about some religious
passages and you refer to them as IV. 3, 11. There must
be some mistake, or else the edition you had in hand has
a different numbering. I have carefully examined the vo-
lume; it contains the six Enneads, each of the Enneads
is subdivided into a number of Books, each Book into
chapters. So your reference could only mean: IV Ennead,
Book 3, chapter 11. But that chapter is something very
short and unessential, and I am certain you have some-
thing else on your mind. The division of the whole into
Books and chapters in MacKenna's translation is exactly
the same as in the volume of Ficinus.

If you could give me the title of the respective

Stock writes me about Canto 97. Havn't read
it yet, but Hudson is in the Public Library
here.

I wish to thank Mrs. Pound and yourself for
your kind New Year's wishes.
Laetissima et optima in Novum Annum invicem
opto, stam

passages and eventually the number of the Ennead in
question, it would help a lot more to be very helpful,
in finding the right text.

MacKenna's translation is very nicely printed
on parchment paper and published by the Medici Society
in 1926. I am not competent to judge of the translation,
but I think you would find it of a high standard.

I have not yet received the few sentences from R. St. V. in Latin, which Vanni has promised to send me. If they don't come too late, they will appear in the Edge together with the other quotations from Richard.

Stock wrote a good article in the 20-th
Century (Melbourne) about the Decline of the Writing.

Many thanks for all information about the
Amaral's Pisans and WELTWUCHER of Zurich. I am looking
for Eva's translation (and Nachwort).

<u>re Sybil</u>

I have just received Edge No.2 with The
Sybil. A fine translation and a brilliant essay. I feel
personally very happy indeed to see your great idea
crowned with this result. But since McNoughton has done
the translation, I don't understand why his name is not
mentioned. I must ask Stock. It is altogether unfair.
McN. has done an excellent piece of work and made a valuable
contribution to the study of this little known and
certainly very unpopular (especially in the J.S.) question

First found here

If anything is enclosed, letter will be sent by ordinary mail.

S. V. Yankowski
Flat 1,
6 Reed Street,
Cremorne.
Sydney.
AUSTRALIA.

XVTH OLYMPIAD • MELBOURNE • 1956

Third fold here.

Ezra POUND Esq.

St. Elizabeth's Hospital
Washington
D.C.

U. S. A.

Second fold here

Sydney 22 March 1958

Dear Mr. Pound,

Thank you for letter dated
31 January and for the titles of books you suggest
for reading.

Stock is at sea on his way to Italy.
His ship called at Sydney a few days ago, I saw him
and we had a few hours together. He intends staying
a month or two in Italy and will later proceed to
London where he expects to get a job as journalist.
That means he wants to stay in Europe for good.

He is determined to carry on with
EDGE in Europe and his nearest plan is to publish
the next issue from Italy where, he hopes, Scheiwiller may give him a hand. That issue will contain
my translation of the Brahmins, that is, if Stock
gets some financial and technical help from Scheiwiller.

I am again teaching at a high school
(it is a girls' school run by the Ursulines), and expect to stay here till the end of the year.

It has been very hot here, while
you get frost and snow.

Best regards

Sydney,

4 Feb. 1959

Have received news from London
that STEF died in hospital two days ago.

Am shaken by the news, will write
more later. I would only like to say at this stage
that I owe you infinite gratitude for your having
filled and enriched spiritually the last years of
her life and for having thus given her so much happi-
ness. I know she would wish me to say that at this
moment. I say it from the bottom of my heart.

Stan

P.S. Have received a pleasing letter from Kostetzky.
His translations are on the way to Australia.

Sydney,

7 November 1959.

Dear Mr. Pound,

You will have probably heard from Kostetzky that Richard will appear before long in Germany in book form. I must thank you ever so much for getting me in touch with that man. I have been in correspondence with him for some time, he has sent me his translations of Shakespeare and I have been trying to obtain some publicity for him in the press here. But I did not realize until recently that he was a bit of a publisher himself, so it was a complete surprise when he offered to help publish my Richard. He is now very enthusiastic about it and we have discussed all points with great care.

The book will contain: "Benjamin Minor" (whole) and *EXETER FROM an excerpt from "Benjamin Major" (Cogitatio, Meditatio, Contemplatio), which appeared in the "Edge" at the time, - plus - the quotations selected and translated by you (in the beginning of the book), an introductory note, and a few quotations done by me (at the end).

It may interest you that after having approached a crowd of publishers here and there and everywhere, I finally appealed to the Fordham Foundation: but that holy institution flatly refused my request.

As soon as Richard becomes a reality, I will approach Kostetzky about "The Customs of the Brahmans" which is also completely ready for publication.

As K. promises to send me a printer's proof of Richard by air-mail, I am asking him to address a proof to you as well, for your perusal.

I am so happy my work has not been done in vain.

I am not making any arrangements here for the next year. The school-year here ends in December and so does my College work. I have already booked my passage in the "Castel Felice" (an Italian Line) *XXX* which sails for Southampton on 21 January next. The ship calls at Singapore, Ceylon, Aden, Suez and Naples, and arrives in Britain on March 8-th. I feel it is high time for me to get back to Europe and to civilization.

I am anxious and would be most happy to be in touch with you re publication of Richard and its further developments.

My regards and very good wishes to you and to Mrs. Pound

P.S. Am now working on the translation of Euripides' Medea into Polish. Also of some Australian short stories.