The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #28190 Message #1585000
Posted By: GUEST,Joe_F
17-Oct-05 - 09:47 PM
Thread Name: Oscar Wilde
Subject: RE: Oscar Wilde
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)