PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPY: ORIGINAL MATERIAL RESTRICTED

May 3, 1949

Dear Fitzgerald:

My writing has suffered various vicissitudes from
which it has not recovered but always there has remained in
my mind the conviction that #........................# in that
direction also an arrival is possible. What is dead had better
be acknowledged to be dead, even though it may mean that the
whole is dead, rather than to attempt to prop it up and paint
its lips in simulation of a life in which I no longer believe.
Should an irreducible living core remain after the rest has
been hacked away it will shine the better for being left bare
of the debris. And if nothing remains - we have the familiar
image of Ibsen's onion to cheer us.

It is very exciting to me to be on the trail, at
least, of something that has stirred my mind for years: the
actual hearing of Greek verse read aloud. I have talked of
this wherever I have gone but you are the first who has
responded in a practical way to the idea. #

I shall write to Cummings at once proposing to him
that we all, some time toward the middle of June, go to his
new country place ( perhaps bringing our own refreshment ) for
a private party - perhaps with a minimum of invitees - to
hear Greek poems read aloud. If from that something catches
fire we'll do it again if we want to. I'd say come here, to
Rutherford, but that will have to be left a little to the great
e's preferences. I'd be thrilled to have you all come here
to my doctor's house ( and garden ) in the suburbs.

You'll hear from me again.

Sincerely