Collections : [Yale University -Yale Center for British Art]

Auden's poem, framed by a pastiche of Lear's art by Bip Pares, first appeared in the Times Literary Supplement Spring Books supplement, 25 March 1939. The border is signed "Bip Pares after Edward Lear." A manuscript of the poem, in Auden's hand, is also present in the collection (see Box 2, f. 1).

Handwritten copy of W.H. Auden's (1907-1973) poem, "Edward Lear," originally published in 1939. The poem refers to Lear's "Terrible Demon," likely his poor health, as well as his time in Italy, his love of children, his hatred of his own nose, and his love of his cat, Foss ("a cat invited him to dance and shyly squeezed his hand").

Lear writes to Fields with condolences for the death of her husband, James Thomas Fields. He mentions that he has recently received several papers describing Fields's life, and he asks that she convey her thanks to the people who sent them (though he is not sure who that is). Lear closes his letter, writing, "you have the memories of golden hours passed with him who is gone for a time. So that in writing these lines I feel less sad than I might do in many similar cases."

Lear writes to his sister Ann, from "the desert: outside the walls of Suez." He begins with a lengthy discussion of camel travel, pleasant as, "you are lifted up on the long necked monster--& away you go just as if on a rocking chair." And yet they are quite irritable: "when I put the vegetable within a yard of him [Lear's camel], he yells & grunts as if I were killing him….If you try to make them go faster—they grown: if you stop them or try to go slower—they growl also." He describes the tents he stays in—very comfortable—as well as his hope to see pilgrims on their way to Mecca. Lear expresses his appreciation for the desert, writing that "these symptoms of civilization [i.e., beer, etc.] rather spoil the lonely character of the wide desert." The letter spans multiple days, and later on Lear gives descriptions of his Arab travelling companions: he praises Ibrahim as sharp, quick, and a good cook; and says "2 are 'blackymoors'—(but you know I never liked blackies, though you did make me walk round that chimneysweeper 33 years ago.)" Lear ends up missing the pilgrims to Mecca, and instead travels elsewhere, through mixed weather. He intersperses his account with references to scripture, such as that "it is not known how the Israelites came up to Mt. Sinai—but perhaps by Wady Feiran." Lear references a "curious dance—but I must describe that at some other time," and a visit to Mt. Sinai. He ends his letter near Suez, mentioning that he hopes to be in Jerusalem soon and that, "you would not know me if you saw me, as I have a beard not as well as Mustaches." He includes instructions to send the letter, or perhaps something else enclosed, to a Robert A. Hornby, Esq. The letter includes a tiny sketch of several figures and a camel.

Lear writes to his sister Ann, describing his travels through the Eastern Mediterranean. He opens his letter with an apology—for his letters "miserably shabby as they are"—and proceeds to describe his daily travel routine, slow due to his desire to sketch what he sees. He describes the topography of Lebanon, and mentions a Mr. and Mrs. Kilgour, traveling companions and "exceedingly good American people." At times, "the cold was so great I could not hold my graphite well," frustrating his desire to sketch the regions cedars, though "it is quite a pleasure to be in these mountains, away from [those] hateful Arabs: - here every one speaks to you & is friendly." The letter soon breaks, picking up at another time (5PM). Lear writes about his continued travels, as well as those with him, including Giorgio, Lear's longtime servant, who "is always most good & valuable." Lear notes the impending start to the hajj, and expresses his eagerness to see it. Lear laments that he has "totally given up all idea of crossing the Jordan, for the Arabs have just bust out a fighting between themselves! - & I heartily hope they will all kill each other." Lear does, however, speak positively about "the splendor of costume," writing that "10 Syrians together would blind all the Maccaws in the Zoological Garden." He soon ends the letter, only to begin again, writing that, "my dear, - if you want a Dog – now is your time: - this city is quite full of them: they lie in heaps of 10 or 20." He finishes with his plans to sail directly to Corfu following the completion of his journey.

Lear writes to an unidentified recipient that "I do not know tht I can add anythg more." He then asks whether there is any chance of him seeing the recipient soon.

Lear, his plans having fallen through, writes to Edmund Woodthorpe to suggest he come to Woodthorpe's house "in the wilderness," and to tell him that he will leave a copy "my last Book of Nonsense" for him at the specified address.

Lear writes from Villa Tennyson in Sanremo to Hallam Tennyson, at first apologizing for the delay, explaining that the letter traveled quite too far, due to "my frequent change of place owing to ill health, uncomfortable or unsuitable quarters, - quarantines, cordons, & whatnot." Lear notes that the previous letter included a poem, and "as you tell me to criticize, I must do so." His criticism of the poem, however, is lighthearted: he first explains that maize does not grow in this part of Italy—which the poem describes—and therefore "your allusion to Maize would cause only AMaizement to those who know this part of Italy." He later uses the romantic depictions of the region to launch into a discussion of its recent changes, writing, "its rocky promontories [are] all hacked & tunneled into monotonous walls, its trees cut down & replaced by lodging houses & warehouses." Lear advises Hallam not to visit, as the danger of cholera "make[s] travelling a bore" and as his own health is not good. He is, however, busy with illustrations, and he closes with a quotation from Alfred Tennyson.

Lear writes to James Fields, apologizing for not sending the "Curtis Phila sketch," and explaining that "Mr. Bush" will ask Fields what the possibilities are for the "Corsica or Xmas book in America." He closes with a wish to see Fields in Boston.

Lear remembers a past meeting with Miss Cobden and arranges for a future meeting, saying he will show her some drawings, including possibility "Damascus." No watermark.