WCP4848

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne,

England

Jan[uar]^y 10th. 1907

Edwin Markham Esq.

Dear Mr. Markham¹

Many thanks for your very kind present, & inscription in your volume of Poems. I appreciate it most highly, and I find very much in it to admire and enjoy.

Although I am keenly sensible of the charm of poetry when merely a simple story or idea is expressed in a rhythm. Flow of well-chosen words, yet this soon palls— and I only really [2] love poetry when it combines grand ideas & language with high moral teaching, all expressed in imaginative phrases and a perfection of rhyme & rhythm.

What most appeals to me now is the demand for Justice, for economic & social Equality, resulting in a true Brotherhood a Socialism. hence among much that is beautiful and ennobling, the two poems in this volume I like best, & can read again & again — [3] and yet again — are "The Muse of Labour" and "The Muse of Brotherhood". If the former stood alone, it would deserve a place among the highest & best examples of Socialistic poems,- but the latter so much surpasses it that I know nothing in the English language to equal it. Every verse — every line — every word — is perfect, harmonious full of deep uncanny and the true spirit of prophecy.

One other poem of yours [4] "The Jews" which I cut out of "Wiltshires May" is its equal in grandeur & poetic beauty, and so far as I know is the finest ^poetic demand for "Justice" in the English language.

Our William Watson² approaches nearest you in poetic qualities but I have

unfortunately not read enough of his poems to form a judgment, and think it probably that you may be about in an equality in the characteristics which most appeal to me.

With very best wishes for your health, and that you may long continue to teach and elevate the Nations.

Believe me | Yours very sincerely | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]