Housman himself wrote a sarcastic poem in defense of Wilde -- a courageous thing to do, for he was (as we now say) a closeted gay. It was published posthumously by his brother:

Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrists?

And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?

And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?

Oh they're taking him to prison for the color of his hair. (Additional Poems, XVIII)

--- Joe Fineman    joe_f@verizon.net

||: Grammar: ethology or ethics? :||