WCP4906

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Dec[ember]. 20th. 1909

D. Ernest Williams Esq

Dear Sir

I have no idea what was the date of the "Clarion" you refer to. But I am pretty sure the poem I mentioned was — "The Muse of Brotherhood" — It is in Markham’s earlier volume (1901) called "Lincoln & other Poems" published by McLure [sic] Phillips & co —N.York. I still consider it the finest poem of socialism in the English language. And what a lesson it is to the present [2] Labour party & socialists, — quarrelling and doubting while the common enemy is at the gates! How sad it is to read such articles as Blatchford’s in the last "Clarion" and Grayson’s no better!

No Brotherhood! No hopefulness! No leadership!

Markham’s poem should be learnt by heart by every Socialist who has a spark of poetry or idealism in him as a guide and encouragement.

In the vol. you have — "The [3] Desire of Nations" is the finest poem. It is one that I should like to hear read by a good reader, who would give expression to every thought, to an audience of the more thoughtful Socialists and working men, & see what effect it had on them. But the "Muse of Brotherhood" is even finer and either of these should be read from the pulpit by all Socialist ministers, to show what the best Socialism implies.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]