The Complete Prose of T. S. Eliot: The Critical EditionVol. 5: Tradition and Orthodoxy, 1934-1939

Dowson’s Poems. To the Editor of The Times Literary Supplement

The Times Literary Supplement, 1719 (10 Jan 1935) 21

Sir, – In the interesting review of Ernest Dowson’s Poems in your last issue, your reviewer suggests that I caught the phrase “Falls the shadow” from Dowson’s “Cynara.” ¹ This derivation had not occurred to my mind, but I believe it to be correct, because the lines he quotes have always run in my head, and because I regard Dowson as a poet whose technical innovations have been underestimated. But I do not think that I got the title “The Hollow Men” from Dowson. There is a romance of William Morris called “The Hollow Land.” There is also a poem of Mr. Kipling called “The Broken Men.” I combined the two. ²

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, t. s. eliot 24, russell square, london, w.c.1.