25.3.16

17Victoria Sq.
Penarth, S. Wales

My dear Uncle Tim

It is for some months that I have carried your letter about with me, waiting for a more suitable moment to answer it, and ever finding that now is not the exact moment, that another time would be a better time. I have often brought my thoughts to the paper, but without success. This time I bring the paper to my thoughts with what success remains to be seen. You may have heard that since last January I have been travelling round the various hospitals of France, and have at last been shipped across to England. The land of Nice filled me with desires to be expressing all that sunshine, in colour, but alas I had no paints. We had a lovely time on the Riviera, and no luxury was denied to us. For a short time at any rate wars and the rumours of war were forgotten. Max is I think somewhere near Arras, and hopes, no less than we do, to be back on leave sometime in April. So much for immediate news. Have you come across this small note, I wonder. It comes, I think, from the Persian, B.C. 2000.

"Once long ago in the days of queen Isthena there was given a great banquet in honour of the learned men of the day. To this feast were invited all those who had in any way added to the knowledge of the world. Learning of every description was collected together at the table of queen Isthena at that time. Now there was amongst these learned men, one who sought to bring unto himself, all the knowledge

which was there represented, and for this purpose he worked a spell
upon them as they sat together over their wine, insomuch that as they
talked they began to impart to him who had put the spell upon them,
all the knowledge of which they were masters. He, having obtained
that which he sought, went out and crossed into a far country, leaving
the wise men asleep over their wine. Nevertheless he for all his learning
became a fool, insomuch that men railed upon and mocked him, calling
him mad; and he was dumb, finding no argument with which to stop their
mouths, for no sooner had he said one thing than the wisdom of his
brain refuted it, causing him to say another. But the wise men awoke
from their slumber and great things did they work together."

Do you know the writings of Ting Sing? He lived about 400 years
before Christ, and some of his things please me in their feeling of
peace and kindness. Here is one I translated the other day.

"I am indeed pleased to hear that you have returned to the PALACE
OF THE SEVEN SUNS. Young BEAUTY DREAMS has repaired the porch of the
GOLDEN BOUGH. My greetings to FAIRJOY and ORANGEBLOSSOM, they will
be pleased at your return. They tell me that the long rain has filled
the VALLEY OF WHISPERINGS and that they now bathe there in the morning
SUNLIGHT. We have had much honey this year, and ORFINA bids me send you
two JARS with this letter.

Yesterday I read of a youth who turned from the ways of his fathers, but in after DAYS met one, who so changed the channel of his life, that his heart became as a burning

fire insomuch that the LORD made him to live in the palace of the SACRED HEART, and children played in the grass round about the palace and their smiles were reflected in the waters thereof. Again the scholars tell me of a learned physician who once was taken to the moon and there met with a strange adventure. It seemed to him that his mind became as a dry seed which was blown away and lost in the dust upon the face of the moon. And there walked by his side a beautiful woman, who said unto him: "Oh foolish man, know that this thy learning which was accounted so great among men, is but a seed which if ye seek may grow." Thus the learned man came back to earth, where he travelled many years. However he found not the fruit of his learning, and in the land of Arabia was gathered unto his fathers. In after years there came onewhose wisdom was like unto that of the great Suliman, and the people of the world asked him concerning the great physician who had left them; but he knew not of whom they spake. I send you greetings."

I am impatient to be reading your poems, tell me when they are printed that I may order them. Aunt Maud showed me three when I saw her last in London. We go to spend the Spring in the country, would you could be with us. After that I hope to return sur le Front, not that I like that place of horrer, but the sun brings no enjoyment while there is bloodshed over there. You will be busy and I have chatted over long, forgive me and love, as he loves you, your nephew