Experiment
IT WAS WHILST at Cambridge that he edited a literary magazine with William Empson (who was also a student mathematician) called Experiment which first appeared in 1928. Poetry, he wrote, was for him as early a love as mathematics [Ref.2]:"I grew up to be indifferent to the distinction between literature and science, which in my teens were simply two languages for experience that I learned together."Bronowski moved to London and also at one time lived in Paris, where he made the acquaintance of Samuel Beckett, to whom he had recommended his old lodgings off the Gray's Inn Road (at 4 Ampton St. and at which Beckett subsequently stayed). In 1930 Bronowski took over the preparation of the English and Irish sections of a wide-ranging poetry anthology European Caravan which had originally been intended to carry some of Beckett's translations of Italian poetry. These did not appear in the book, which was eventually be published in America. A third of part one (575 pages) consisted of prose and poetry selected by Bronowski.
In part of his last year at Cambridge, before taking his doctorate, he went to live in Mallorca to be near the home of Robert Graves and Laura Riding through 1933. He went accompanied by Eirlys Roberts (see left-margin) who later organized Which magazines. He had admired the poetry of Riding and made enough useful comments that she gave him acknowledgment in her Epilogue I (1935). In Mallorca she was working on a large project called Critical Vulgate and Bronowski was among those employed to work in collaboration with her. It began happily enough, but Bronowski, never afraid to state his opinions, eventually came to reject Riding's poetical judgements and her also her elitism [Ref. 3].
Ultimately, they quarrelled, Bronowski calling her 'no lily-white angel' and, shortly after, he returned to England with Roberts. Graves had kept quiet all this time. He had found Bronowski smug and even disliked his company. There is a satirical poem he wrote at this time which may have been directly aimed at Bronowski and his ambition. It was originally entitled Jacob's Ladder but was subsequently retitled Dream of a Climber in the collection Work in Hand, 1942 [Ref. 4].
He will appear, not on the lowest rung
But nearly out of view, almost in the cloud, Leaning aside for an angel to pass.
Bronowski was also writing poetry of his own throughout this period (see left margin).
Enter Chapter 3 The Poet's Defence
Experiment
A Cambridge magazine of new poetry, edited by Jacob Bronowski and William Empson.
Songs for Sixpence
published by Heffers as one of six issues, in 1931.
RECOLLECTION:
Eirlys Roberts
Eirlys Roberts knew Jacob Bronowski at Cambridge and went with him Mallorca to stay with Robert Graves and Laura Riding. Here she recalls some of her impressions.
|
Copyright © 1997-2001 by Stephen Moss. All rights reserved.
2. Wakeman, J., 1975 World Authors 1950 - 1970 (New York: H.W. Wilson) pp. 221 - 223.
3. Graves, R.P., 1990 Robert Graves - The Years with Laura 1926 - 1940 (London: Weidenfeld) p. 220.
4. Seymour Smith, M., Robert Graves: His life and Work, Hutchinson 1982, p.225.